Chapter Three #4
“This is your suite,” I say, opening the door. “It’s the second largest bedroom in the house after mine.”
“I get my own room?” There’s obvious relief in his voice.
“Yes. For now. I thought you might want your own space at first. Until you feel more at home here.”
“That’s unexpectedly considerate of you.”
“I have my moments.”
Elio takes in the king-sized bed with a carved mahogany headboard and crisp white linens.
Heavy curtains frame the windows, pulled back to show the east gardens below.
A sitting area occupies the far corner, two armchairs and a low table and a reading lamp, positioned near a tall bookshelf.
There’s an en suite bathroom visible through a half-open door, white marble and brass fixtures.
A walk-in closet that is currently empty.
“Jesus, this is bigger than my entire apartment back home.” Elio sets his duffel bag on the bed. “Fabio won’t believe this.”
“Speaking of Fabio, I have a driver assigned to you so you can go see Fabio whenever you want. Your driver is also a bodyguard. From this moment on, you can’t go anywhere without protection. I hope you understand that.”
He frowns. “That’ll take some getting used to.”
“Well, if you want to live, you’ll need to follow protocol. I can’t protect you if you don’t.” I sound disinterested, but in truth, I don’t want anything to happen to him. He’s my new toy and I don’t like it when other people break my toys.
“I’ll do my best to follow the rules,” he murmurs, watching me warily.
I move closer to him. “As you know, the wedding is Saturday.”
He grimaces. “Yes. Kessler told me.”
“It’ll be held here at the house, but despite that, it’s going to be a big affair. We have three hundred guests coming.”
His eyes widen as if I told him Elvis was coming to the wedding. “Did you just say three hundred guests are coming?”
I laugh at his obvious dismay. “Of course. I’m the head of the Foschini syndicate.”
“Well,” he sputters. “I didn’t even know who you were until a few minutes ago.” He crosses his arms, looking flustered. “I didn’t expect such a huge wedding.”
“What’s the problem?”
He rubs a hand over his jaw. “I didn’t think I’d have to put on a show for so many people.”
“My family has a lot of friends and important business associates who had to be invited. If not, they’d feel snubbed. There was no way around it.”
“I… I just thought we’d have a quiet civil ceremony or something.”
I lift my brows. “No. Mama would have a stroke if I didn’t have a big wedding.”
Flustered, he glances at his duffel. “I’ll need to go buy a suit. I was so busy with Fabio, I didn’t have time to go shopping before coming here.”
“No need to go shopping. I have my tailor, Alex, coming tomorrow to fit you for a tux.”
“Your tailor is coming here?” He blinks at me in surprise.
I narrow my eyes. “Of course. I thought that might be easier for you since it’s such a stressful time.”
“There’s no need for all that fuss. I’m fine just buying a suit off the rack.”
“God, no. You have to wear a tux to the wedding, Elio. Marcello Foschini’s future husband can’t show up to the wedding in a cheap, off-the-rack suit. You’re getting married. You’re not going to your high school prom.”
His cheeks flush. “Okay, I get it. You don’t have to be rude. As I said, I was busy with Fabio. I wasn’t thinking about clothes.”
“Which is why I arranged for my tailor to come here. This is the first time my business associates and family friends will meet you.” I run my gaze over him. “You have to look the part. Play the part.”
“How’s that work when I’m a nobody?”
I frown. “You can’t act like a nobody. While it’s true an alpha in my position would usually choose an omega with a pedigree, it’s not mandatory.
I have enough of a pedigree for the both of us.
What is important is that you act charming.
Confident. You have to act like you’re happy to be my husband.
You need to act like you belong in my life. ”
He laughs gruffly. “Sounds great. But I think we both know I don’t actually belong in your life.”
“Yes you do.” I move closer to him. He rocks back on his heels, looking tense. “I chose you. I could have had anyone, but I picked you. You’re mine now. If you believe that, then they’ll believe that.”
“The only thing I know for sure is you want me to give you an heir,” he says softly.
“Yes, I do.” I lean toward him. “That’s all part of being mine.”
His cheeks flush. “I’ll do my best, but I’m not a very good actor.”
“Elio,” I purr, “You’re missing my point. You don’t have to act like you’re mine. You are mine.” I reach up and take his chin between my thumb and forefinger. I tilt his face up to mine. “I own you now, remember?”
“You don’t own me,” he mutters, defiance glittering in his eyes. “You’re just leasing me for three years.”
I give a tight smile. “Fair enough. But you still owe me an heir.” I put my mouth against his ear and whisper, “We’ll start trying for that on our wedding night.”
A full-body tremor runs through him. His hands drop to his sides. “I assumed as much,” he says hoarsely.
I release him, feeling oddly annoyed. “There’s no need for games, Elio. We’re sexually attracted to each other. You don’t have to pretend otherwise. I know you want me just like I want you.”
He avoids my gaze. “I’m overwhelmed, Marcello. I don’t know what I want right now.”
I don’t love that answer, but I step back from him. “How about you get some rest. Maybe take a hot shower. Dinner will be at 6:00 p.m. down in the dining room. My sisters and mother can be a lot to handle, but they’re excited to meet you.”
“They know the truth about us, right?” he asks.
“Yes. Contacting Kessler was my mother’s idea.”
His eyes flicker with surprise. “Oh. I’m glad I don’t have to put on a show for your family at least.”
“You definitely don’t. Just be yourself.” I head to the door. “I’ll see you downstairs.” I leave his room and close the door, resting against it.
His stress is giving me a knot in my stomach. I’m not sure why his anxiety is transferring over to me. I don’t want to worry about his feelings. I’d rather just focus on my needs. That was the whole point of taking an omega like Elio. No complications was the selling point.
I suppose it was short-sighted to think he wouldn’t struggle at all under these circumstances. He’s not a machine, he’s a flesh and blood omega. If he gets too stressed out, he might have trouble conceiving. That would be a disaster. I need that damn heir.
It’s probably in my best interests to woo him a little more than I’ve been doing.
Because of the unique arrangement we have, I haven’t really bothered.
I’ve treated him more as an asset than a person.
That was the wrong approach. I know how to charm an omega when I want to.
Perhaps I should put that effort into Elio. By helping him, I’ll be helping myself.
And helping myself is my most favorite thing.