Chapter Twenty-Two

This was the first time I’d face Anna’s family again after we’d started our affair, or whatever we had. At this point, it was hard to say. Whatever it was was limited, and if Anna and I didn’t manage to hide our less than professional relationship from her family, it would be terminated long before Anna entered the holy bond of marriage with Cliffy—by my cruel death at the hands of Valentina and Dante. I was sure they’d both join in the dismemberment for this special occasion.

“You look tense,” Anna said as we waited at the airport.

One of my eyebrows twitched up. Even if she liked to pretend otherwise, her excessive cleaning spree in the last few days told me she was just as nervous about her family’s visit. She’d cleaned every surface where we’d had sex in the last few months at least twice. “Don’t tell. Shouldn’t you be nervous too? You realize that we’ve both been betraying your family for the last five months?”

Anna had finished her first semester and we were supposed to fly back to Chicago for the summer, but first the Cavallaros would spend a week in Paris to celebrate Valentina’s birthday.

“Betrayal is a strong word for what we have.”

“What would you call it? We both gave your parents our word that there would never be anything between us.”

“They won’t find out. We agreed that we wouldn’t sleep together while they’re here.”

It would be easier to pretend we weren’t sleeping together if we kept a physical distance, but it would be hard. Anna and I had barely been able to stay away from each other these last few months. Now we’d have to go without sex for weeks, because even after the Cavallaro’s Paris visit, we’d still have to spend a few weeks in Chicago before only the two of us would return to Paris alone.

Dante, Leonas, Beatrice, and Valentina, followed by my dad, stepped into the waiting hall of Charles de Gaulle Airport.

While Anna rushed toward her family, I went over to my father to greet him. We hugged briefly before he pulled back to look at me. “Everything good?”

“Of course,” I said. Nobody knew about my affair with Anna, not even Arturo, and certainly not Dad. Though he probably still suspected something.

I wasn’t sure if Anna had shared anything with one of her friends. Speaking about something like that over the phone was definitely too dangerous so I suspected she hadn’t either. Of course, I knew she’d disclose every last detail of our affair with Sofia and Luisa as soon as she met them in person.

Dante came over to me and shook my hand. His expression didn’t show a hint of anger or hostility, so he didn’t suspect anything. We’d just have to keep it that way. “I must say I’m very satisfied with your work so far. Your daily reports were very informative.”

And mostly made-up shit. I had to leave out half of the activities Anna and I embarked on. “I’m glad.”

Valentina came over next, and even she seemed less suspicious than last time. “It’s good to see Anna so happy. Thank you for making sure she’s safe while living her dream.”

“It’s an honor,” I said.

“Why don’t you and your dad join us for dinner tonight? Dante has booked a table in the hotel’s Michelin Star restaurant and I’m sure they can make room for two more people.”

“I’d prefer to have a quiet dinner with my son tonight, if you don’t mind,” Dad said politely.

He probably just wanted to grill me on every little detail of the last few months, but I actually didn’t mind. I wanted to keep my interactions with Anna limited while we were around her family.

“Of course,” Valentina said immediately.

We split into two cars because one wasn’t enough for all of us and headed to the Four Seasons where Dante and the family would spend the week before we’d all fly back to Chicago. Anna was in a car with her mother, Bea, and my dad, while Leonas, Dante, and I rode in the other car.

“I really missed pissing you off,” Leonas said with a sly grin. Almost sixteen and still as annoying as I remembered.

“Leonas,” Dante said in a sharp tone. “Santino is Anna’s bodyguard and should be treated with the according respect.”

“As if Anna always treats him with respect.”

Dante gave me a questioning look. I shrugged, wishing I could slap Leonas over the head. “Like a teenager, she had her difficult moments but she’s grown up in the last couple of years. I can’t complain.”

An image of Anna waking me up with a very pleasant blowjob this morning came into my mind but I quickly shoved it away.

Leonas shook his head and gave me a condescending look through the rearview mirror. The little shit knew too much.

Dad and I picked a cozy restaurant only a short walking distance from the Four Seasons in case an emergency arose. But with Leonas and Dante there, Valentina, Anna, and Bea were well protected. Even if Leonas could be an annoying brat, he was a good shot and knew how to handle his knife. Still, it felt strange to let Anna out of my sight for the first time in six months. We’d spent so much time together, being apart felt alien.

“How are things between you and Anna?” Dad asked the moment we’d sat down at our table.

“Good.”

“Good how?”

“Have you come to Paris to interrogate me or because you missed me?”

“Both.”

I gave him a doubtful look. Luckily the waitress appeared at that moment with the menu cards. I took one of them with a quick merci before I scanned the wine selection.

“You didn’t even look at her.”

I raised my head. “Excuse me?”

“You didn’t even look at the waitress.”

“Of course. And I even said thanks.”

Dad nodded toward the woman who was now serving another table. “Look at her. She’s attractive. The son I remember would have checked her out.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “I’m still that son. You make it sound as if I jumped every woman I saw. I can assure you that wasn’t the case. Maybe you should consider dipping your toes into the dating pond again if my dating life concerns you so much.”

“That’s not a joking matter.”

“Dad, if you’re worried about me, stop seeing things that aren’t there. You’ll only act suspicious and that, in turn, will make the Cavallaros suspicious and really get me in trouble.”

Dad sighed. I patted his shoulder. “Stop worrying so much. Get a life and live a little. I’ll be fine.”

It wasn’t that I was unaware of the danger I was in. If Anna let something slip, I was dead. But Anna was clever. I trusted her to protect our secret. Not just because of me, but also because she wanted to avoid the backlash too.

Santino was even more nervous about my family’s visit than me. Maybe he worried about me letting something slip but I’d learned from an early age to put on a mask in public. Now I only used that talent to put on a mask for my family. That didn’t mean I didn’t feel guilty because I did, especially when I looked Mom and Dad in the eyes. But I had no other choice if I wanted to stay in Paris and protect Santino.

Maybe the lingering guilt was why I was glad when my family’s visit in Paris was over and we all flew to Chicago. It felt strange being back home when so much had changed. The last few months in Paris had been freeing, exhilarating, and I’d started to take this newfound freedom for granted. Back in Chicago with its limitations, I realized the freedom I’d gotten drunk on would be taken from me in a few years. What Santino and I had in Paris was doomed.

I joined Dad in his office a couple of days after we’d all arrived in Chicago.

Mom was already there as well, standing next to Dad by the window, and it looked as if they’d been arguing. “I’d like to discuss your future with you,” Dad said calmly.

I’d always assumed Mom and Dad would allow me to return to Paris for my second semester. They’d never said the opposite, but Dad’s words made me doubt it, and I was terrified. I didn’t want to stay in Chicago, not yet. I wanted to live a little more, enjoy more time with Santino. He and I had barely seen each other in two weeks. We hadn’t shared a single kiss, much less more. My body yearned for his closeness.

“Okay,” I said hesitantly. “I thought Santino and I would be returning to Paris after Bea’s birthday in August?”

Mom and Dad exchanged a look that made me increasingly nervous. Mom came toward me and touched my shoulder. “If that’s what you want?”

I nodded vehemently. “Of course. Why wouldn’t I? I love the city and my fashion studies. It’s my dream come true.”

Mom touched my cheek briefly. “Your father and I had concerns in the beginning, but we have to say you proved us wrong.”

“Still,” Dad said. “People are starting to wonder where you are.”

“They know I’m studying abroad. Don’t they understand we have to keep it a secret for safety reasons?”

“Oh, they do,” Mom said with a shake of their head. “I think what concerns them more is that you’ve dropped from their gossip radar.”

I loved Mom’s honesty. She hated how judgmental some people in our world were. She’d been submitted to their cruel words at the start of her marriage to Dad too.

“If people don’t know the truth, they make up their version of it,” Dad said.

I rolled my eyes. “What kind of rumors are they spreading now?”

“That you’re pregnant with Clifford’s child and that’s the reason why you’re engaged to him. That you’re pregnant with someone else’s child. That you’ve run off with someone.”

“I’m back. If I’d run off, I wouldn’t be here, right?”

“Which is why we need to make sure you keep attending social events. And that’s why we’d like you to stay until the start of the semester.”

“Okay.” That was only two weeks more than I’d thought. That wasn’t so bad. Of course that meant Santino and I would have to stay away from each other for two months… I’d probably combust. “Is there a date for my wedding yet?”

Mom and Dad exchanged a look. “Well, while the Clarks are willing to wait, we have to make sure we don’t offend the conservatives in the Outfit. Your mother and I think a wedding in the summer after you finish your fashion school would be advisable.”

“Oh.” I swallowed. That would be in three years, which really wasn’t that soon, but at the same time sooner than I would have liked. “That sounds like a good plan. Do Clifford’s parents agree?”

“They do. Clifford will be done with his undergraduate studies by then and in law school, so they think children should have to wait a bit longer.”

I almost laughed. Was there anything Clifford and I could decide on our own?

Mom touched my shoulder. “Is that okay for you?”

“Of course.”

Three years.

That was enough to enjoy myself, my freedom, Santino.

When I walked out of the office, I texted Santino to tell him when we’d return to Paris, but I left out the part with the wedding.

Our texts were always professional, no cute emoticons or endearments, and definitely no sexting.

“I wasn’t sure we’d be returning to Paris at all,” Santino said suddenly, startling me half to death.

I whirled around with wide eyes and touched my chest. “You scared me.”

Santino’s eyes burned into mine and a little shiver passed my spine. I slanted a glance at Dad’s office door which was only down the corridor, and swallowed. Santino stood close, and I wanted to bridge the remaining distance between us.

“What are you doing here?”

“Your parents asked me to come over for a conversation.”

“They’re going to tell you about Paris.”

Would they mention the wedding as well? I really hoped they’d keep it to themselves for now. I didn’t want things to get tense between Santino and me again.

“I’m sure they will,” Santino murmured.

I took a step back before I could do something increasingly stupid. “Maybe you can come up to my room later and tell me what they said?”

Santino cocked one eyebrow. “I think it would be a better idea if you came over to the guardhouse. I have the night shift and can’t abandon my position in front of the monitors. If you come over at ten, I’ll have time for a quick chat about Paris.”

I stifled a smile. Did that mean he was alone in the guardhouse?

“I appreciate that,” I said politely, and amusement twisted Santino’s lips.

“I’m sure you do.”

I turned around, trying not to be too giddy.

After a shower and a thorough shave, I put on a simple sleeveless summer dress for easy access. I didn’t bother with underwear. I wasn’t sure how much time we’d have so I wanted to avoid wasting time.

I headed through the underground corridor toward the guardhouse and knocked. My pulse picked up in anticipation.

Santino opened the door and motioned me in, acting professional, and as if we weren’t meeting for a booty call. At least I hoped that was what it was.

He closed the door and took in my outfit. He could probably see that I wasn’t wearing a bra because my nipples were already growing hard.

“As expected your parents told me we’d be returning to Paris in early September.”

My face made it clear that I didn’t care. I perched on the edge of the table with the monitors. “That’s not why I’m here.”

“No?”

I narrowed my eyes then opened my legs wide so my dress rode up, revealing I wore nothing beneath.

Santino leaned against the door with a groan. “You’re going all in.”

“We don’t have any time to waste.”

Santino chuckled. “I can’t lock the door, so this is very dangerous.”

“I thought you had the night shift alone?”

“I’m alone in the guard house but there are other bodyguards on the perimeter as always. My father for one.”

“He wouldn’t tell on you, right?”

Santino pushed away from the door and prowled closer. “Didn’t we agree to stay away from each other while in Chicago?” His expression told me he had other plans.

“Do you want to stay away from me for two months?”

Santino reached me and grabbed my thighs, staring down at me with lust-hooded eyes. “Fuck no. But this is madness, Anna. If we get caught…”

I grabbed him through his clothes. “We won’t.”

Santino released a sharp breath then his gaze scanned the monitors. “All clear, but this will have to be quick and dirty.”

I laughed. “Perfect.”

I helped Santino free his cock, desperate for him.

“I don’t have a condom on me,” he gritted out, regret twisting his features.

“Me neither. I could ask my brother for one.” I giggled, couldn’t help it. Santino didn’t look amused. He groaned and pressed his forehead against my shoulder.

I bit my lip. “We don’t need one.”

Santino raised his head with a confused expression.

“A week before my family came to Paris I went to a doctor and asked them for the pill. I’ve been taking it since then and they’re now effective.”

“You didn’t tell me.”

I shrugged. Somehow this felt more monumental than it should. This was just a practical matter after all… “I’m clean, obviously. And you haven’t been with anyone else since last December, right?”

“Yes, and I’ve never gone bareback.”

“Then we’re good to go.”

Santino looked almost amazed. He leaned forward and kissed my lips gently before his fingers found my opening to test my readiness. I was more than ready. Grabbing my ass cheeks, Santino dragged me toward the edge of the table before he plunged into me with one hard thrust. His lips clashed down on mine, swallowing my moan. The monitors shook with every thrust. I clung to Santino almost desperately, my legs wrapped around his hips. He jerked down the top of my dress and pinched my nipple.

I was getting closer and closer when Santino tensed. “Your brother’s in the garden.”

“He’s probably just looking for his stash of tobacco and weed that he keeps buried under the bushes. Don’t stop. I’m almost there.”

Santino’s grip on my ass tightened and he sped up even more. “You’re going to be my downfall.”

I clutched his shoulders as my release burst through me. Santino followed soon after, and it felt different than before. Intimate I couldn’t quite define.

We didn’t have much time to bask in the sensations. After a quick good-night kiss, I righted my clothes and hurried back through the corridor.

I stepped back into the hallway of our mansion and came face to face with Leonas, who was sneaking around too. He definitely smelled of weed.

“You should stop smoking that shit.”

“We all have bad habits we can’t break, right?” Leonas said with a knowing smirk.

I narrowed my eyes. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You and Santino are doing it,” Leonas said matter-of-factly.

I glanced around nervously and dug my nails into his forearm. “Shut up. You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Leonas scoffed. “How about we go to my room before you piss your pants?”

He stalked away and I had no choice but to follow him upstairs. I had to find out if he knew more than he should.

The second we entered his room, I said, “Why would you say something like that?”

Leonas grabbed a packet of cigarettes from under his bed. “Cut the act, sis. I’m not blind or stupid.”

“If you keep doing weed, you’ll be soon,” I muttered.

Leonas sank down on the windowsill, raising his eyebrows expectantly. “Clifford approached me after his love visit in Paris.”

“What? When?” I stumbled toward him and perched beside him, my pulse speeding up.

“At a party. He asked me if I knew what was going on between you and Santino.”

The color drained from my face. If Clifford started asking questions like that, Santino and I were doomed. “What did you tell him?”

“I told him that he didn’t know what he was talking about and that you were an honorable woman. I also warned him to keep his mouth shut if he knew what was good for him.”

“Thank you.”

Leonas smiled wryly. “You’re welcome. But banging your bodyguard, sis, really?”

I slapped his arm. “Shut up. If someone finds out, Santino’s dead and I’ll be the reason for a scandal.”

“Why should it always only be me who causes a scandal?”

“Because you’re good at it, and your reputation is already in tatters.”

“Thanks for your warm words, sis,” he said as he put a cigarette in his mouth. “My reputation serves a purpose. I like it when people underestimate me. It makes beating them all the sweeter.”

I shook my head with a laugh.

“What about Clifford?”

“What about him?”

“Are you going to ditch him for Santino?”

I gave Leonas a disbelieving look and raised my hand with Clifford’s huge engagement ring. “I honor my promise.”

Leonas shrugged. “There are promises you should honor, and others you should ditch. Clifford is the latter.”

I rolled my eyes then snatched the cigarette out of his hand and took a drag. “Do you realize what kind of scandal it would cause if I didn’t marry Clifford? Our families made a deal. Our parents are counting on me.”

Leonas shrugged. “Promising you to Clifford was a mistake. The Clarks won’t ever be part of our family. You’ll always have to be careful what you say around him, even Clifford. You are a means to an end to them.”

“But so is Clifford to our family,” I argued, squinting into the darkness outside of the window.

“A shitty base for a marriage.”

“Most arranged marriages are built on a shitty base.”

“If you say so. You’re the one who’ll have to share a bed with Clifford.” Leonas’s voice made it clear he disapproved.

“I can handle it. I can handle him.”

“If you think so. Just know that I’ll have your back no matter what.”

I swallowed hard. “Thank you.”

Leonas shrugged. “That’s what family is for. Just promise me you’ll be careful.”

I didn’t say anything in turn only nodded. We opened the window and dangled our legs over the sill, staring out into the night. I knew ultimately my family would always have my back. How would it be to find myself in a marriage that wasn’t like that?