Chapter 20 Carlo
Carlo
Amuffled thump from above has me biting back laughter as I excuse myself to hurry up the steps. Her red curls are unruly, and her face is puffy from her heavy sleep while she attempts to cinch my robe closed as she exits the bedroom. Even so, she’s a vision, barefoot and beautiful.
“Oh good, you’re awake now,” I say, smugly. She makes this little growly noise low in her throat in response. That, combined with the fact she’s naked under my robe, has blood rushing to my cock.
She points over the loft’s railing toward the priest below. “Whoever the hell he is, that had better be his Halloween costume.”
I smile, remembering the nun’s habit she wore to my parents’ house last night.
“Alas, that is the good father's very real liturgical vestments. I thought it only appropriate we see this done properly. It will mean so much to your beloved mother, and the priest has graciously agreed to conduct the ceremony here.”
From the look in her eyes, it’s clear she’s contemplating shoving me down the staircase, but her mother has perfect timing. “Francesca, are you not ready? The priest is waiting.” If Beatrice is upset over us getting the cart before the horse, she hides it well.
“There’s a dress in the closet I had in mind for my lovely bride,” I tell the ladies. “Please, don’t rush on our account, mia moglie. I understand it’s a special day for any girl, and you’ll want some time alone with your mother.”
Francesca’s eyes narrow with loathing as Beatrice is retrieving the elegant white dress I had delivered earlier while her daughter snoozed. “You lied to me last night,” she accuses in an angry whisper. "You made me an oath and broke it."
“On the contrary, I made you an oath that I wouldn’t marry you in two weeks. We’ll marry this morning instead.”
“That wasn’t the deal, and you know it.”
“When you go making deals with the devil, expect to get screwed… in more ways than one.” Her nostrils flare, and I’m very tempted to kiss that pert mouth.
"Alessio will never-"
"Your cousin's reign in the West won't last long without our support, and he's in my territory this morning, Francesca. Think carefully about what you say when I allow him to join us."
Her mouth snaps shut, knowing she's cornered.
“Francesca, you should shower and dress now,” Beatrice urges from the bedroom. It’s obvious from her expression that she's seen the sheets.
“I’ll leave you to it,” I say with a bow.
I practically skip back down the steps where Faro meets me at the bottom with his customary scowl. “Alessio is waiting in the lobby as you directed. He’s ready to open fire.”
"If he wants to make it back home to his own bride, he’ll learn some patience today. Did you get the rings?”
Faro nods, passing over a box from Tiffany’s holding two wedding bands, his and hers. Mine is a simple gold band. Hers is in-laid with diamonds and rubies which should go well with the engagement ring Zacheo is making. "Did Ettore make the requested enhancement to hers?"
“He did," Faro answers with a small smirk. "I picked up the certificate, too. Just don’t ask me to be the one to break this to your parents.”
“I’ll deal with that. Mother will complain, but she’ll get to host a large reception and get over it.” My father will be concerned, more than likely, but I don’t care right now. I have the woman I want right where I want her. Like I had her last night. Fuck, I can’t wait to have her again.
“What about Luca?” Faro asks after I've told the concierge to send Alessio up. “He’s probably home at this hour.”
My brother is my closest confidante. Ordinarily, I would want him by my side today, but the elevator dings, indicating more company, and I shake my head.
“Not with Alessio in a bad mood. Luca would only provoke the crazy fucker until he snapped.” I don’t add that Luca’s a crazy fucker, too, who’s just as likely to snap. Faro already knows it.
“What the fuck is this shit?” Alessio snarls, striding into my home. The fact he’s not holding a weapon yet is a good sign at least.
I turn toward him, straighten my tie, and give him a cold smile. “An impromptu wedding. Aren’t you pleased to be our guest today and have the honor of giving your cousin’s hand in marriage rather than being dumped in a river in Chicago a few weeks ago?”
His eyes burn with anger, but he doesn’t act. I pushed my father to side with him at the Tribunal for one specific and completely selfish reason – so that Francesca would be my bride. And nothing is stopping that now.