Chapter 3
CHAPTER 3
Angelina
He was so handsome it took her breath away. Joseph had always been good looking, but age had enhanced everything. Tall at six foot two, the man even made the large hallway seem small. Any chance of appearing calm and collected disappeared when he crushed her to his frame in a brief hug, awkwardly smushing her arms between them before he dropped her as if she were a hot burner on a stove. His touch was brief, but the sensation would be forever imprinted in her mind.
The firm, hard feel of his chest again hers. The scent of leather and the outdoors. His voice low and sensual. Joseph loved the outdoors and the permanent tan confirmed he still did. Whereas before he was always clean shaven, a trim, dark beard now graced his chiseled jawline. Straight and regal, his nose appeared to still be in the same place as before. Broken facial bones were common in his line of work. The thick black hair adorning his head was in disarray as if he’d recently run his fingers through it or taken a nap. He’d matured, and it suited him.
It was his eyes dwarfing all his other amazing assets. There were too many ways to describe them —dark, intense, alluring, sexy just to name a few. They could kill you with one glance and lure you in with another. Like a spider luring you to its beautiful web. It was only a guess on her part, but it was a good bet that somewhere in the last few years those eyes had seen too much, missed too little. Right now, they were zeroed in on her as if they were peeling away the layers of her soul. Trying to peek behind the curtain she held up to so many. Did he really see her? See how she was shaking in her skin afraid of disappointing everyone? Disappointing herself again with a failed career and no prospects for another.
Glancing away, she knew in her heart Joseph might be the only one who could help her discover her wishes and desires. Unfortunately, he was the last she wanted to share them with.
Her uncle glanced between her and Joseph and frowned. “We had your bags delivered earlier to your room. In the morning, we go to Milan.”
“And the dresses?” Madison called out as she headed to the kitchen. A much-needed glass of wine most likely her goal.
“Don’t worry.” Roman followed. “Everything will be fine. Francesca is organizing, packing, and supervising everything else.”
Their voices hushed as they left the area leaving her alone with Joseph.
His eyes still ripped her bare with their scrutiny.
Swallowing the lump in her throat, Angelina lifted her chin. “Something wrong?”
Joseph grinned and gave her the once over with his gaze. “With you? No, everything looks good from here.” He winked, turned, and strolled away to another wing of the house.
She opened and closed her mouth as her heart beat a hundred miles a minute. This wasn’t how she expected their meeting to go, but how could it go any other way? They’d gone from best friends to nothing at all.
On shaky legs, Angelina followed the voices of her aunt and uncle to the kitchen. After a quick dinner, with them and Dante DeMarco, she made her way to her room. Roman had expressed his disappointment in her cousins who had indulged in too much wine to join them. DeMarco stared at her often with a goofy grin on his face. Apparently, he was a friend of Joseph’s, so that might explain the curiosity and amusement she seemed to inspire in the man.
A quick shower refreshed her, but still the day’s stresses lingered. She dried off, yawned, and rolled her neck. A lot was riding on the next two days. Things which would shape her life forever. Despite her fatigue, the last thing Angelina wanted to do was sleep. She was too wired, too anxious. Slipping into a silk chemise and comfy robe, she wandered out onto the balcony, the tiled floor cool on her bare feet. She gasped at the beauty of the evening sky. The stars seemed brighter out in the country. So close one could almost reach out and grab one. The vastness of the world outside making her feel small and adrift in its enormity.
Wrapping her arms around a pillar, she hugged it for support. In a house filled with family, she still felt alone. Like a ship floating on the sea with no ruder. A creak from the adjoining balcony next to her suggested she wasn’t. There was no need to look to see who it was. Goosebumps rose, but not from the chilly air. The heat from his gaze introduced himself loud and clear.
Angelina turned her head. Joseph stood in the shadows, the glow of embers near his lips and the scent of a cigar in the air.
“When did you take up smoking?” She strolled over and rested her hands on the balcony’s black iron railing.
“When I quit drinking. It’s only an occasional cigar when I feel like I’m about to lose control.”
“That’s a short sentence filled with many unanswered questions.” A frosty breeze ruffled her hair. She pulled the robe closer to her neck. He was bare-chested but seemed unaffected by the cool night.
“I have many unanswered questions for you.” He set the stogy on a tray and stepped into the moonlight. Joseph said he didn’t drink yet his eyes appeared distracted, like he had indulged in something, or someone.
“We missed you at dinner.” Where had he disappeared to?
“I’ve missed you for years.” Joseph admitted.
“Ha.” So had she but there was no way the admission would leave her lips. “I’ve been busy.”
“I see that. Congratulations on graduating first in your class.”
“Thanks, but I was actually second.” Pride filled her at what she’d accomplished in such a short time. Because her last name was Brunetti and not Caponelli no one at the design school had connected her to her famous designer aunt. She’d worked hard to get where she was and had done it on her own. Like she did everything. Loneliness reared its unsightly head.
“You’ll always be first to me.” His eyes changed from distracted to intense.
“Are you sure you haven’t been drinking?” Angelina titled her head and stared up at him.
“Positive.” He inched closer causing the air temperature around her to rise.
“Well, as family, we should always put each other first. I appreciate the support.” Had he noticed her mocking tone? It was the Caponelli motto.
Joseph studied her before turning his attention to the landscape below. “What happened to supporting me?”
Support him? She’d never heard from him after the dance. Not once in all those years. “Like I said, I’ve been busy, but it appears you’ve done well for yourself.” What he’d been doing she had no clue, but it hadn’t included her in his life. “I’m turning in. Good night, Joseph.”
Angelina didn’t make it to her door. In a flash she was up against the hard wall and an equally hard chest. The scent of tobacco and male filled her senses. She cranked up her neck to meet the intensity of his gaze. Those eyes of his. They spoke of a history of friendship and a future of sin and violence she wanted no part of. Well, maybe the sin.
There was no one she’d ever been more attracted to than Joseph. A woman would have to be blind not to be, but even without sight, she’d be drawn to the scent of him, feel of him. The man was a magnet drawing her in. Like a hummingbird attracted to a bright red feeder full of sweetness. It was another item on the long list of reasons she’d convinced herself they could never be more. He overwhelmed her. The fear of being lost in him again was a reason to get out fast, and move on, even if it meant always being by herself because no one else would measure up.
“What do you want Joseph? I’m tired.” Her pulse raced as her ears flamed.
Rough fingers traced their way along her throat before cupping her jaw.
“What I’ve always wanted?” He dipped his head to rest his forehead on hers. “You.”
“Angel.” Maddy knocked on the door. “Angel?”
“Come in.” Angelina groaned and snuggled under the down comforter as the door opened.
“I thought you’d be down by now.” Madison already had her hair up and makeup done.
“Sorry, I couldn’t sleep last night.” She shook the cobwebs from her brain and stretched her aching muscles. The last thing Angelina needed was bags under her eyes. She had to get some much-needed rest tonight to be refreshed for tomorrow’s event. “I wish the show was here.”
“You’re not the only one. Roman is still a beast about it being in Milan. We’re only allowed to spend one night there and then we’re driving back right after. Late.”
Angelina sat up with a start. “Do you really think we need to worry? I spent three years there and never even came across a pick pocket.” She rarely left school grounds. Her financial status had given her the best accommodations possible, but if their enemies had really wanted to find her, they would have.
“I don’t know dear. I trust in what your father and Roman tell me. If they are worried, there is definitely a reason to be.”
Madison took a seat on the bed. She brushed the wild strands of hair away from Angelina’s face like her mom used to. “Don’t worry. It’ll be a wonderful show. We’ll find out who has won the apprenticeship then head back here to celebrate.”
“Are my parents here?”
“Yes. We will see them shortly. Now, come down for breakfast. All the gowns are packed and on their way to the venue. As soon as we’re ready, we can leave, too.” Madison appeared calm and collected.
“Are my cousins here?”
“The boys went into town to eat, but they’ll be back shortly.”
“Okay, I’ll be down in a few minutes.”
“I have a good feeling great things are ahead for you.” Madison kissed her forehead and left the room.
Angelina flopped back into bed and held the back of her hand over her eyes to block out the morning sun for a little while longer. What had happened last night? Was it real? It seemed like a dream, yet she could still feel his body against hers, smell the scent of his cigar in the air, and remember the bite of his rejection. He was hot and cold. No longer the warm young man who was her heart’s desire. The one who cheered her on no matter what her interest of the day was. They both had the same insecurities from the past while struggling to find their places in this complex family.
Last night, he'd teased her with desire then walked away. Was it a test to see if they could pick up where they left off?
With a groan and determination to make this the best experience for her aunt, Angelina dressed quickly, packed her overnight bag, and hurried down to eat. The kitchen was a mad dash of family, friends, and staff. Madison held a phone in one hand while eating a croissant with the other. Roman held out her chair, finally gave up trying to get her to sit down and left the room. Truth be told, Angelina didn’t have much of an appetite either.
Although she had arranged and put on many of her own fashion shows while in school, this was her first-time modeling in a show. It wouldn’t be the first time where visions of her falling or tripping over a hem of her dress flashed through her brain. What an embarrassment that would be.
With military style-efficiency, their motorcade left for Milan shortly after eight. Everyone stayed in the same venue hotel as the show. It was a whirlwind of a day. After hours of unpacking and setting everything up, they ate in shifts always leaving someone backstage to keep any shots of the dresses from leaking out ahead of the show. Nerves were on edge, but anticipation flowed through Angelina’s veins.
The press and celebrities attending were the top notch of the fashion world. No one would dare cause any problems with so many cameras in attendance. Still, all the men in the family were on high alert to protect the women and the merchandise. The few times she’d seen Joseph, he was sporting a headset in his ear and some extra bulk around his middle. Numerous guns, probably a few knives, and a bullet proof vest were her guess to his added mass.
“Angel.” Her mother, Layla, squealed as she entered backstage and rushed to give her a hug. Madison’s daughter Gia trailed behind. She wasn’t modeling but would be helping the models get dressed. Jasper Lencioni soon joined the group to drop off his daughter, Carabella. The rest of his girls stayed at home with their mother. For months Carabella had begged to attend and Jasper, the doting dad, often caved to the whims of his girls.
“Bella. Gia. It’s so good to see you.” Angelina hugged them. The embrace of family surrounded her heart and calmed her worries. Everything was good. They always loved her no matter what happened. It was times like this that she missed being back in Lake Genoa.
“I can’t believe I’m here.” Carabella’s green eyes were huge and her smile wide as she rushed from dress to dress. Everyone in the family called her Bella for short. “OMG, these are gorgeous and you get to model.” Her friend bounced with joy. It was a wonder she hadn’t been asked to model. Except for Angelina, all but a few of the models were local girls.
“Did you get to see some of the city?” Angelina would love to show her around if they had time.
“Not a lot. We got here last night. Hopefully, after the show tomorrow, we can enjoy some sightseeing in Florence.” Bella returned to her side but kept her focus on the gowns.
Gia had visited a few times with her mom but it was Bella’s first time out of the States.
“I think we are good to go. Everything is set for tomorrow. Security is in place for tonight so let’s get some dinner and a good night’s sleep.” Madison clapped her hands and took one last look at everything. “Tomorrow’s going to be a great day.”
“I can’t wait to see you in that wedding dress. I’ll be wiping away the tears.” Layla gushed and folded her hands over heart.
“Maybe a handsome man will see you in it and fall in love on the spot.” Gia’s eyes twinkled.
“I’m just hoping to not fall on the runway and to. win a position at Caponelli designs. That’s all I’m hoping for.”
Layla glanced at her sister who shook her head and held up a hand, “I don’t know the winner. I swear.”
“Either way. I have a feeling after tomorrow a lot of things will change.” Gia was a bit of a goth girl and loved to dabble into the supernatural. Reading tarot cards, auras, and the like. “I did a reading on you Angel.”
“What did it say?” Angelina was surprised how many times the young woman had guessed right.
Gia shrugged her shoulders. “A lot.”
“Can you be more specific?” Maybe she was going to fall.
“Just remember. When you think all is lost, you will finally find what you are searching for.” Gia explained.
Lost? What the hell did that mean? Angelina scratched her temple.
“Come on girls. No hocus pocus. Let’s go.” Madison ushered them from the room and shut off the lights.
They met briefly with the other models to go over the times and runaway order one more time.
Angelina stood up straight to keep from shaking. Doubts and insecurities were tumbling down around her like a house of cards. Was this the direction she really wanted to go? Was fashion her passion? Time would tell and tomorrow, according to Gia, would show her fate, one way or the other.