CHAPTER ELEVEN

DALIA

Aries Lombardi is an enigma. Sometimes he seems overbearing and mean, yet other times he's almost kind of sweet. I have a knot in my stomach though at the thought of bringing him home to my brothers. It's not going to go well. All four of my brothers will be suspicious, rightfully so. I've never even dated, and suddenly I'm married? I'm not sure there's any way to sell that, Domenic will be the most difficult of my brothers to lie to. He seems to have a bullshit detector and always knows when something isn't quite right.

The casino is packed with a lot of people playing the slots. The air is thick with smoke, and the bells and music on the machines is loud. Yet, I'm excited to be here. I've never done anything like this. I live a fairly mundane life. I work, and spend Sundays with my family. The last trip I took was with them before our lives imploded.

This machine has dollar bills on it. There are three rows and if you get three identical ones, you win whatever amount that is. It's five dollars a spin, and I've lost seventy five dollars in only a few short minutes. I feel bad for losing his money, but Aries just laughs it off like it's no big deal. I've never even bought a lottery ticket so this is a new experience. Aries moves the hair off the back of my neck, and kisses me gently, "Keep going."

I bite my lip to stifle the moan threatening to escape. After all, we are in a public place with a million people. Closing my eyes momentarily, I lean back against his lips because I like it. I don't want to, I shouldn't, but I do. He tugs on my ear with his teeth and chuckles, "Open your eyes, baby."

My eyes pop open as I wonder how he knew they were closed, and see three identical five hundreds on the screen and bells are going off, which I didn't even hear since I was so engrossed with his mouth. I turn to Aries, throw my arms around his neck and jump with excitement, "I won!"

He flashes me a sexy grin, as I stare into his gray eyes before my gaze drops to the tattoo on his neck, and the small patch I can see peeking out of his shirt. I never would've given him the time of day had I had a choice, but I can't deny that he's not exactly hard on the eyes. Though I know better, I stroke my fingers across his short, closely cut beard, "You're very handsome. It's unfortunate that my brothers are probably going to kill you."

He smirks at me, "Then I better make the most of my time left."

The machine beeps at me, and I turn around and print the ticket to collect my winnings. Aries takes my hand and walks me over to the machine where I insert the ticket, and it spits out five hundred dollar bills. I hand him one of the bills and he shakes his head, "No. You keep it all."

I grab my cell phone out of my skirt pocket when I feel it vibrating, first I look at the picture of my nephew and smile, before I see the day on my screen and begin to freak out.

"Oh my God. It's Sunday."

Aries places his hands on my shoulders, "Princess, explain to me what that means."

My eyes water and I attempt to blink back the tears, but one slips free and rolls down my cheek, Aries wipes it away with the pad of his thumb as I close my eyes, "I go to my parents grave every Sunday. It's stupid, but it's my way of spending time with them. It doesn't matter really. I'm being childish."

He cups my cheeks with his strong hands as he stares down at me, "It's not stupid, nor is it childish. I didn't know. Now that I do, I'll fix it."

ARIES

Dalia stares at me in question, "How? We're in another state."

I chuckle softly, "Is there anything you want to do before we leave? We'll be going home shortly, so you can go see your mom while it's still Sunday."

She gapes at me like I've said the craziest thing, "I can't believe you'd do that for me."

I sigh audibly, "Neither can I."

This was fucking simple. Marry her, get her brothers to help me locate my sister, save her, end the marriage, and go on with my life as I always have. Was I always going to fuck her? Yes, because I have needs and, fuck, she's gorgeous. I wasn't supposed to care. Her tears were not to have any effect on me whatsoever. And that smile was not meant to be my source of happiness. What the fuck is happening to me?

"Is there anything else you need to see? Time is of the essence, Dalia."

A sweet smile crosses her face, "I need t-shirts for my brothers."

I nod slightly, but I'm not sure she will find shirts to fit those monsters. Dante, maybe, but the other three are giants.

When we make it to the tourist trap of all tourist traps, she heads first to the kids section. Dalia holds up a white onesie that has a picture of the Las Vegas welcome sign, as she squeals, "Isn't this so cute?"

I smirk at her, "While I'd pay big money to see any of your brothers in that, I don't think it'll fit."

She giggles, "I'm getting one for my nephew and another for Natalia's baby."

Of course I knew that, but for some reason I'll do anything to hear her laugh. Even make stupid fucking jokes. This woman is trouble for me. I should let her go and steer clear of her, but I won't, because she's the ticket to finding my sister. The harder truth to swallow is I like making her smile. Laugh. That fucking laugh does things to me I'd rather not think about. And the fact that I'm following her around the store like an obedient puppy? I'm choosing to not fucking think about that either.

She hands me the onesie, and heads off in search of the men's t-shirts. I try not to rush her but I'm concerned about the time, because I don't like the idea of her hanging out in a cemetery at night.

Dalia holds up a black t-shirt with the same picture as the onesie, "I think you're the same size as Damian, will you try it on for me?"

I shake my head, "No, I'm sure it'll be fine."

Her bottom lip comes over her top in this pout that makes me want to slide my now hard dick between those soft lips, and I groan, "Dalia."

"Please," she begs and that's it. I'm a fucking idiot, but I'll do anything to hear that need in her voice, even if its about a damn t-shirt for her asshole brothers.

I unbutton my shirt enough to pull it over my head as her eyes widen, "They have changing rooms, Aries."

Grinning at her, I say, "If I go into a changing room, you'll be coming with me, and I will make you come for me again."

Her cheeks pink up slightly as I throw my shirt on top of the clothing rack, I place my fingers under my nose and inhale, "So sweet, Wife. I can't wait to taste you."

She throws a t-shirt at me, while complaining about how filthy I am. Of course, if she had any idea of the dirty things I want to do to that delicate little body, she'd be running from me. Rightfully so.

I know Dalia wants to not be attracted to me and I don't blame her. However, I notice her eyes trailing the ink on my chest and arms, as she bites that perfect lip. I smirk when I spot her squeezing her thighs together and try on the shirt.

I'm the goddamn head of a mafia family, and I'm in this shitty tourist trap trying on a cheesy t-shirt for this woman. Why? I should've told her no, but then I'd miss out on this soft smile on those pretty lips. I've never been much into kissing. For some reason, with her, I constantly want to push my tongue into her mouth.

She steps closer to me and runs her hand down my chest, and I bite back the groan threatening to escape from her touching me, "Alright it fits. Can I take this off now?"

Her hand travels to my neck up to my jaw, "Yes. Thank you, Aries."

The way she stares at me like I hung the damn moon, by trying on a t-shirt makes me uncomfortable. That's a feeling I'm not used to. If she knew the truth about me, about my family, I don't think she'd be looking at me like that. She turns away from me and grabs her t-shirts.

We walk to the checkout after I put my dress shirt back on, and she insists she pays with her winnings from the casino and I finally agree, although I don't like it.

"Can I get one of the shirts in a separate bag please," she asks the cashier.

I'm a little puzzled as to why she'd ask for that, but I let it go. I take the bigger bag and she takes the single one, we walk out of the shop together, and she hands me the bag, "This is for you."

"What?"

She smiles at me sweetly as I try to process my thoughts. I'm not a Las Vegas t-shirt kind of guy, and I have no interest in having matching fucking t-shirts with her brothers. I suppose this is like getting a picture given to you by a five year old. You hate it. It's ugly, but you smile and pretend it's the greatest thing you've ever received.

I called my employee Phil, who travels everywhere with me, while we were shopping and instructed him to collect everything from the hotel room, and to pick us up so we could go to the airstrip. Luckily, he is waiting for us when we make it to the street. The flight will be over five hours, and I really want to get her to the cemetery before dark, and we should just about make it before sunset.

DALIA

I sit on the plane next to Aries while he stares at his phone, and I ask, "So, you'll pick me up tomorrow to go see my brothers?"

He turns off his screen and pockets his phone, "Excuse me?"

"I figured I'll go to the cemetery and then go back to my apartment, and you'll go to wherever you call home, and can pick me up tomorrow?"

Aries narrows his gaze at me, and grabs my chin, "You're my wife, Dalia. You will spend the night in my bed tonight and every night, until you're no longer mine."

I swallow hard, "I thought this was for show. To convince my brothers. I don't know why I have to stay at your house."

He groans like he's annoyed, "This is not open for discussion, Wife. You will be with your husband until we dissolve this arrangement, after my sister is found. Your brothers are not idiots, you think they won't be watching to see where you're going?"

I nod in agreement because he's right. Domenic will have Benji watching my every move, and if they see that I'm sleeping somewhere else, they will know this is all a ploy to get them to bend to Aries' will.

Am I happy that he forced me to marry him? No. However, I will do anything to help him save his sister. No girl should ever go through what I went through. With my brothers' help, it could take only a couple weeks, or months at the worst, and then we'll go our separate ways.

He runs his nose up the side of my neck and growls a deep rumbling sound, "I can smell your arousal again, Wife. That scent is my fucking kryptonite. I know it'll destroy me, yet I want it anyway."