3. Franco

Chapter 3

Franco

She clearly doesn't understand Italian, which makes teasing her in the language even more fun. Whenever I drop her name, she gives me a filthy look. I don't know why I'm being so immature, but I feel as though if I can't have her, I don't want to befriend her. It's stupid, really, and it's low. I am better than that in some ways.

I can't stop glancing at her, though. Her perfect plump lips, the rise and fall of her full breasts, the curve of her waist. She's perfect by my standards, and I loathe Marco for marrying her. Of course, since he's marrying her, I'm also forced to do the most boring shit all day long.

Today, we're planning on going to a cake testing, dress fitting, and shoe shopping. My mother can't come with us today because she has a luncheon with some old friends and my mother, ever the gossip, wouldn't dream of missing that. Not even for her daughter-in-law's dress fitting.

I arrive at breakfast with Aria and find no one else there. I stop Claira. "Where is everyone? "

"Your father and Marco have gone to see to some business and your mother had breakfast in her room," she says with a soft smile. I know she has a soft spot for me; she always has, and sometimes, I've taken advantage of that.

"Maybe I should have you bring me breakfast to my room," I say flirtatiously.

"Franco," she hisses. "Your soon-to-be sister is here."

"Oh, don't stop on my account," Aria says, sitting at the table. "Although, the thought of Franco doing anything at all is enough to make me lose my appetite."

Claira hurries off, and I glare at Aria. "Was that really necessary?"

"And here I thought we were becoming friends," she says sarcastically.

"Fat chance," I snort, sitting down at the table. "Your dress fitting is in two hours."

"We'll go shoe shopping first, then," she says, as though she calls the shots.

I clench my jaw. "Fine, but we can't be late for the fitting. My mother pulled strings to get this designer to do your gown. She won't be impressed if we're late."

"Duly noted," Aria says as she butters a slice of toast and takes a bite.

Claira brings me a bowl of steaming oats, and as she leaves, I watch her pert ass move.

"You're disgusting," Aria says. "You objectify women so much."

"What do you think my brother does?" I ask, turning to look at her. "I'm honest and open. I don't hide behind closed doors."

She looks upset, and I shake my head. "I'm sure he'll treat you well though, don't worry. Family is everything here."

She finishes her toast and starts on her bacon and eggs. I finish my breakfast and go to the car. We're being driven around at the moment, which I hate, but I need additional guards when we're out in the city. Who knows what will happen when people find out Marco Morelli is tying the knot.

Well, one thing is for certain, I know a few women who are going to be heartbroken, but I doubt that will stop Marco from seeing them or fucking them.

I help Aria into the car, go around to the other side, and climb in myself.

"We're going to the boutiques on Sixth Avenue," I say to Marido, the driver.

I sit back and pat my gun in its holster.

"Is that really necessary?" Aria asks. "It's not like someone is going to try to kill me."

"Something you should learn about marrying into my family, you're always in danger. You're in danger from the police and other families. You're under a constant threat because Marco holds a position of power. When you're married to him, you'll get a set of guards that will protect you with their lives, and I'll be free."

"I'm sure you can't wait," Aria says quietly.

I glance at her. She's staring out the window as the city passes us by.

I feel compelled to reassure her that Marco will treat her right. But I can't bring myself to lie to her. Not even if I don't like her.

And I don't.

I mean, I definitely don't like her.

She's high and mighty and thinks she's better than me when she definitely isn't. She's just the Goddaughter of a family friend. She brings nothing to the table.

We reach the boutiques, and she goes through the shoes as I sit near the door, watching. This is the most boring thing Marco has ever had me do, and he's made me do some dumb shit in my time. I have business to attend to, and more importantly, I have family business to attend to. I can't be running around after his little bride when the supply runs are in danger, when there are snitches around and especially not when the narcs are out to get us.

"I'm ready to try another place," she says as she walks over to me.

I motion for my two men to follow me, and we go over to the next store. We go to five stores, but she still doesn't pick a pair of shoes. I glance at the time. "We have to go to your fitting now. You'll have to find shoes later."

She doesn't argue, which is surprising, and she follows me out of the store. We make it to the designer just in time.

"You're late."

"I'm on time," I say with a smile. I hug Louise, my mom's oldest friend. "Here's the bride. If you can work with that."

"Don't be horrible," Louise says. "She will make a gorgeous bride."

Aria seems shy all of a sudden and I nudge. "Go on then. It's time to try on some dresses."

Aria goes forward, and Louise takes her hands. "Definitely a gorgeous bride. Something spread out, like a ballgown but with a bodice for the top. Crystals sewn into the bodice so you sparkle on your magical night."

"That sounds magical," Aria says. "Do you have something like that?"

"It's already waiting for you in the changing room. Franco, we'll be right back."

"Take your time," I wave them off.

I sit down on the chair in front of the mirrors, and I wait for them to come back.

"Boss, do you want a soda or something?" Marido asks.

"Yeah, get me a cola and see if you can find a hotdog place so we can eat something." I take out my wallet. "Here." I hand him a hundred-dollar bill. "I don't want onion on mine, just ketchup and mustard."

"What about the girl?"

"Get her the same as me. Get us two each. I'll eat her second one if she doesn't want it." I rest back and drum my fingers on my legs as my guards leave.

The door to the changing room opens, and Aria walks out, holding the dress as it's a little big for her. She steps onto the platform in front of me, and in one moment, that moment, I know I've lost something truly magical.

I swallow hard and examine every inch of her. When I reach her face, I find her looking at me perplexed. "Is it that bad?"

"Not at all, in fact..." My phone starts ringing, and I jump up. "Sorry, I need to take this. Hold that thought."

I hurry outside. "Donald, this better be good."

"Yeah, boss, I did the background check on your girl, and there's nothing," he says.

"That couldn't wait?" I snap.

"No, boss. You don't understand. There's nothing. There's nothing on her whatsoever. It's like she didn't exist before a few weeks ago. Someone's buried her information so deep I can't even get to it."

"Hmm." I turn to see a guy in a suit enter the wedding boutique, and something just doesn't feel right.

"Donald, I'll call you back." I hang up and head into the boutique. As I walk in, I see the guy pull a knife out from his back pocket as he walks with purpose toward Aria.

I take out my gun and fire without another thought.

The guy falls to the ground, and everyone in the store screams. Louise runs around, calming everyone down, and then glares at me. "You know weapons aren't allowed in my store."

"He had a knife," I say, walking over to the body and kicking the knife out. "I had to protect Aria."

"He was after me?" Aria says quietly.

I walk over to her. "You okay?" I offer her my hand and help her off the platform.

"Yes, I'm fine... thank you, Franco." She bites her lip and looks up at me. "You saved my life."

"It's why I'm here," I say quietly. For a moment, there is nobody, no one else in the room. My eyes are locked on hers, and all I want is for her to be okay.

"Franco, you best get rid of this body before the police show up," Louise says as she ushers her assistants to the back.

I take out my phone and dial Marido. "Where are you?"

"On our way back. What's up?" he asks.

"Someone tried to hurt Aria. I need his body taken away. Call Donald and arrange it for the two of you. I'm taking Aria home."

"Sure thing, boss," he says before he hangs up.

Aria goes to the back to change. I'm more alert now, more on guard. I scan the front windows carefully, watching out for any potential threat. Marido comes in, still carrying the damn hotdogs and sodas.

I take them from him. "Hurry up."

"Donald 's on his way," Marido says sheepishly. "Jarod here is going to take the body out back and wait for him. I'll drive you back to the estate."

Aria comes out from the dressing room. "What about the cake tasting?"

"I'll have the samples brought to the house," I say, taking out my phone and sending a text to my mother. "It's fine."

Aria nods, and I take her hand. "Come on."

I lead her back to the car and help her in. Marido and I get in, and we drive straight back to the house while I arrange with my mother over text for the cake samples to be delivered whenever they can.

"Franco," Aria says quietly. "How'd you know that man was there to hurt me?"

"When you do this as long as I have," I say, 'you learn to trust your gut."

"And they want to hurt me because I am marrying Marco?" she asks.

"They probably wanted to kidnap you, hold you ransom so Marco would pay. Otherwise, yes, they were there to hurt you. To get to him. It would be a huge slight to him if someone were to attack anyone in his family, even if you aren't married yet."

"So I am just his possession?" she asks softly. I can hear the hurt in her voice, but then there's something else when she next speaks—a strength. "I intend to prove myself to the family. I can be of use."

"What experience do you have with families like mine?" I scoff.

"Dominique. I helped him with many things," she says, looking at me sternly. "I can be a great asset."

"You know what, I believe you." I smile awkwardly at her. "I believe you because you seem to know how to keep to yourself. It's almost as though you're a hidden gem, something no one knows anything about."

Marido pulls up to the house, and I get out, going around to open the door for Aria. "Why don't you visit with Mama while I report back to Marco about what happened today? Marido will be with you until I'm done."

"I feel safer with you, but okay," she says. She follows Marido into the house.

I take out my phone and dial Marco's number.

"What is it, little brother?" he asks, sounding breathless.

"Who is it?" a woman's voice purrs in the background.

"Someone tried to attack Aria today," I say calmly. My brother doesn't deserve a good woman.

"Do we know who?" he asks. "Get off me," he growls, and I hear the woman whine impatiently.

"No, but I'll try to find out. The guy is dead, though. "

"Good, it sends a message. Thanks, Franco. What would I do without you?"

He hangs up, and I look at the house.

Dangerous thoughts are playing in my head. Dangerous thoughts of Aria in my arms.

On the one hand, I do not wish to betray my brother like that, but on the other hand, I know he deserves whatever comes to him for being an absolute lowlife. He doesn't deserve Aria. He doesn't deserve someone as beautiful and soft as her. She was meant to be mine, and I might yet make her mine again.

*