6. Aria

Chapter 6

Aria

I can't believe that bastard kissed me. Or, rather, that I let him kiss me. I run my tongue over my lips, and I swear I can still taste him. I'm not so sure I want to continue tasting confectionery now that I've had a taste of him.

"This is good," Giulia says, holding up a green and pink petit four.

The last thing I want to think about now is cake. "It's the wrong color," I say.

Giulia rolls her eyes. But it tastes divine. I'm sure they can change the colors. Here, taste it." She holds it out to me, but I've lost my desire to taste any more sweet stuff today.

"I think I'm done for the day. You can add it to the list of cakes we're taking. Just ask them to make all the cakes, petit fours, and cupcakes with plain white icing, and use blue and silver as decorations."

"Ooh," Giulia gushes, "that will look stunning. I will let the master confectioner know about your decision. Mama will be so pleased. "

I force a smile at her before she hurries off, then I leave the room to go to my bedroom. I don't have much freedom here in the mansion, but at least I can do whatever I please in my room. The mansion also has other rooms I'm allowed in, like the movie theater, the library, the entertainment room, and the sauna, but it's no fun when you're by yourself.

In my room, I stew on the fact Franco asked me about my family history. How did he know? Or does he only suspect? I need to avoid his questions. No one can learn about my past and who I really am.

I turn on the TV to distract myself, but it doesn't help. Franco's kissing me earlier reminds me that there may be more to his dark looks than he lets on. He was so against me in the beginning, but now, I'm not so sure anymore. Something changed between us. Our dynamic is different from what it was when we first met. I need to tread carefully if I'm to survive in this family. If Marco finds out I kissed his brother...

The thoughts keep chasing each other through my head, but none of it makes sense. Why would Franco question me about my family and then kiss me? Why didn't I stop him? My body reacts to him in ways I can't explain, and maybe I should take a step back and tread a little more carefully.

Dominique taught me well. He taught me how to look after myself, how to protect myself, and how shit in families like this work. I'm not na?ve. Then why is this so difficult? What is it about Franco that draws me in like this?

"Urgh," I groan and go to the bathroom.

I need to distract myself. The bathroom has a massive corner spa bath, which I now fill with hot water, and then I turn on the jets to make it bubble. I slip into the water, add several bath bombs, and then lie back with my eyes closed.

Every girl deserves a bath like this. "Ahh."

This almost makes up for an arranged marriage. Almost.

I spend the rest of the evening pampering myself with all the goodies provided—probably thanks to Giulia, as I don't think Claira would have been this kind to me.

When I go to bed, I try not to think of Franco, but I wake up in the middle of the night because Franco kisses me in my dream. I toss and turn, trying to go back to sleep, and I'm groggy when Claira comes to open my curtains in the morning.

I swear, she does it on purpose to rile me up.

"Mr. Marco is here this morning for breakfast. He wishes to see you."

"I'm up," I mumble, but I don't really care what Claira thinks.

The maid leaves, and I climb out of bed. With Marco here, I decide to wear a dress and skip the jeans for today. I find a casual, dark blue Gucci dress that's long enough to cover me to my ankles but leaves my arms bare. It's pretty and accentuates my figure, but it isn't too sexy.

I knot my hair into a messy bun, letting a few strands escape to curl around my face, apply some light makeup, put on small hoop earrings, and then go to the dining room.

The sound of many voices drifts out of the room as I approach, and I hesitate. When Sofia laughs, I take a breath and push the door open. Mama Morelli stands by the window and talks to Giulia, and Papa Jean-Luka sits at the table with his sons.

Family breakfast. Now I feel terrible for sleeping so long. Why didn't they tell me this was happening? I could have set my alarm clock.

"Good morning," I greet everyone as I walk in.

Mama Sofia walks to me to clasp my hands. "Aria, you look gorgeous. How have you been?"

"Fine, thank you."

"Come, child, sit with me."

Mama Morelli leads me to the table, and I take a seat beside her. All three men stare at me, but when I meet Franco's eyes, I quickly look away.

"Doesn't my future wife look stunning?" Marco says. He smiles at me but then turns back to Franco to continue their discussion. I don't seem that important to him.

Claira and another maid come in with trays of food, and we begin to eat. Everyone talks over everyone, and it's a noisy affair. I'm not sure if I love it or hate it. It was always so quiet, with just Dominique and me at the table.

When we're done, Marco and Jean-Luka open the outside double doors to smoke their cigars. The rest of us mingle in the dining room, drinking orange juice and talking. It's a lovely morning, and the fresh air from outside is wonderful.

Giulia leaves me to get more juice, and Franco comes to talk to me, but as he opens his mouth to speak, a blast rips through the room, throwing me against the far wall and driving the air from my lungs.

My ears ring from the blast as dust and debris fill the air. The curtains are on fire, as are the broken bits of furniture I can see. My head hurts from where I hit the wall, and my lungs ache as I try to take shallow breaths.

"Aria," Franco calls through the chaos.

"I'm here," I gasp.

He appears like a wraith through the haze. His face is smeared with ash, and he has blood on his forehead. "Take my hand."

I take it, and he guides me through the rubble out of the room. Once in the marble hallway of the mansion, I can breathe better. Franco pats me down, checking me for wounds.

"I'm okay," I say.

Giulia staggers toward us, supporting Sofia. Franco goes to them and checks them over.

"Jean-Luka," Sofia rasps, then coughs.

Franco nods, then hurries out of the front door. Giulia, Sofia, and I huddle together for what seems like forever, but soon, the maids come with blankets and tea, and they take care of us while we wait to find out what happened.

When we hear sirens in the distance, Giulia gets up to check on the men. "Stay here. I'll be right back. "

As she rushes off, I turn to check that Mama Sofia is alright, then sprint after Giulia. My Gucci dress is torn—shredded, really—but I'm still dressed enough to go outside.

An ambulance has just pulled up. The paramedics jump out and rush toward the bombed fa?ade of the mansion. I hurry after them. Marco is down with injuries to his face and chest. The paramedics quickly load him into the ambulance and drive off.

Jean-Luka also has injuries, but they're not severe. He takes Giulia's hand, and they go into the house together to see Mama Sofia. I'm left outside alone with Franco, although I can see his bodyguards pacing the perimeter of the property.

"Are you hurt?" Franco asks.

"Just a few bruises, I think."

He sighs. "Okay. Take a shower and get changed. Marco will want us to be at the hospital. I'll see you back here in fifteen minutes."

Franco gently strokes my hand as if to soften his words but then strides off without a backward glance.

I grind my teeth, turn around, and hurry to my room. When I slip out of what's left of my dress, I notice quite a few sore spots, and I know those will be black and blue by tomorrow.

As per Franco's orders, I take a quick shower and change into fresh clothes—jeans and a top. I'm back downstairs within minutes. Three police cars are in the driveway now, and cops are crawling over the scene. I guess they're all paid off by the family .

Franco ushers me to the car, and I'm surprised when he gets into the driver's seat.

"No driver?" I ask.

"They need him for questioning," Franco replies.

We're silent on the way to the hospital, but I can see something is on Franco's mind. I know he wants to ask me something. I have questions, too. Like: who attacked the mansion?

At the hospital, we're guided to a day ward, where we find Marco already bandaged and cared for.

"They say I can leave this evening," the don says, smiling. "Just a few scratches. Nothing a few stitches couldn't fix."

We stand by his bed as he brags about his injuries, but I want to gag when he exposes those that aren't covered by bandages or plasters. Seared flesh isn't what I find appealing.

"Now, you listen to me, Franco." Marco's voice has gone low, and Franco leans over the bed. "I want you to protect Aria until this threat passes. I don't care what you have to do to keep her safe. You just do it. You hear me?"

"Of course, brother," Franco replies.

"Good." Marco settles back in his bed, groaning as he does. "Now, get one of the guards to fetch me at seven. They won't release me before then."

"Yes, sir. "

Franco leads me out of the hospital and back to the car. We start driving but don't go back to the mansion. We end up at a park, and Franco pulls into the near-empty parking lot.

"What are we doing here," I ask.

"The estate is still going to be full of cops. I don't want to go back there yet." Franco winds down the window and rests back in his seat. " I think the last time we spoke, you were telling me about your family," he says casually.

I bristle. "I was not."

A slow smile spreads on his handsome face. "Sure you were. You were telling me about the Dilio family, which is just like my family. I'm sure of it."

My heart beats faster. "There's nothing to know. It's just a common surname. Nothing more."

Franco finally turns to me, and his eyes lock with mine. "Then tell me why we keep getting attacked. Why do you keep getting attacked? What are you hiding, Aria? Tell me. If I'm to keep you safe, I need to know."

"I…nothing. I'm not hiding anything."

Franco leans toward me. His aftershave envelops me, and his eyes hold me captive. "You can tell me the truth. I will protect you with my life. I promise."

"Maybe…I don't know…Don Vito might have a grudge against me."

My heart hammers now that I've said it, and I wish I could take it back. I've already said too much. I snap my mouth shut and look away.

Franco reaches out and cups my face. "Don't be scared. You can trust me. Whatever it is, I will help you."

"Franco…"

I don't know what to do. I don't want to tell him more, but on the other hand I want to trust him. His eyes are soft and kind as he looks at me, yet they're also full of passion. His scent draws me in, and I lean forward to kiss him. He doesn't pull away from me, so I deepen the kiss.

He groans, and I reach up to touch his chest. The top button of his shirt is undone, so I undo the next one and slide my hand into his shirt, feeling his warm skin. Franco slides his hands up and down my back, stroking me as we kiss.

What am I doing?

I don't know, but it feels good.

I relax into his touch, and he moves from my lips to kiss down my neck. His hands explore under my top, and he strokes my breast before he unhooks my bra. I quickly take my top off and wriggle out of my bra. Franco takes a moment to look at me before bending to take a nipple into his mouth to suck on it.

I moan and wind my hands through his hair.

"Hold on," he whispers as he comes up for air, then fiddles with some levers by the seat, and the backrest goes right back to lie flat .

I smile at him as he lies me down. As he kisses me again, he unbuttons my jeans and slips a hand into my panties. I moan as he touches me, and he deepens our kiss. A shiver runs through me as he works my clit, but I want more.

I stop him and wriggle out of my jeans. Franco quickly takes off his, then comes back to me. His erection stands thick and proud, and I can't wait to have him inside of me. It's a little awkward in the narrow space of the passenger seat, but we make it work. He wraps my legs around him and lifts my hips toward him.

I'm already so wet for him that when he presses forward, he slips right in. I gasp in pleasure, and he groans aloud. I wrap my arms around his neck as he moves his hips, bending to kiss me. He's hitting all the right spots, and I clamp my legs tightly around him as my orgasm rips through me suddenly, and he thrusts harder and harder until he comes to a shuddering climax.

We lie there, panting and sweating, with our foreheads pressed together, until he finally says, "My brother can never find out."

*