Chapter 28

CHAPTER 28

A lexandra

“You don’t need to fawn over me. I do know how to dress myself, including in party attire. I’m not some redneck from America, you know.” I stared at Isabella in the full-length mirror as she adjusted the third dress she’d forced me to try on.

I’d wanted to slide into a little black number I’d purchased on Amazon, but according to the Italian princess, it wasn’t fancy enough. Granted, she looked like a coifed model ready for a runway shoot with her stunning sparkly emerald-green dress and perfect makeup.

“Redneck? What is that?”

How did one describe a redneck to someone from another country? I’d never had to do something like this before. All the stereotypes in my mind were just that. “Let’s just say it’s been used as a derogatory term for an unsophisticated person.” That was all I was going to share.

She scoffed, cursing in Italian. “You are anything but unsophisticated. You simply never had money to dress up. Right?”

“Well, true.”

“And you didn’t go out with friends trying to find the right prom dress? I know about American traditions.” Isabella could be so cute in trying to figure out more about American culture.

“I never went to my prom.” No boy had ever asked and my guess is if they had, I would have said no.

Another flurry of Italian words rushed from her mouth, none of which I could understand. “Such a waste. This color just won’t do. The red one.”

So much of me wanted to lash out. I wasn’t a mannequin or a model, but she was trying desperately to make the night special. I’d caught her nearly flipping out because something hadn’t arrived on time. I’d slunk out of the room, determined not to get in the middle.

“Why is this so important to you?” I had to ask. I’d never seen anyone so dead-set on making a small family event the celebration of the year.

She’d been flitting around for hours, but only once had I seen her look ruffled. She stopped short, slowly lifting her head toward me. When she pulled my arm, forcing me down onto the bed, I knew I was in for a serious conversation.

Isabella started the conversation twice before managing to continue. “You are a beautiful woman who’s hidden it behind jeans and shorts your entire life. I get why. I understand your dedication to your upcoming career and it’s admirable, but you need to learn that you are very much a woman.”

The girl wasn’t telling me anything I didn’t know. However, I sensed she was trying to get to a point that made her uncomfortable.

The last thing I wanted was for anyone to wear kid gloves around me.

“Thank you. Nothing else matters except for becoming a doctor. I’m not certain that’s going to happen now since I’m sequestered here.” I noticed the rather dark and ungrateful inflection in my voice and cringed. “Don’t get me wrong. I love being here.”

And I did. In the last two quiet days, I’d spent more time with both Sassy and with Nico. He’d taken me on another more intimate tour of Palermo and the surrounding area, plying me with a wine tasting for another vineyard.

It wasn’t nearly as good.

“I know you do. I can tell. So can everyone else. We love having you here. This is where you belong.”

I honestly didn’t want to argue with her. “I don’t know how to answer that.”

“Just accept it.” She tugged on my arm again, pulling me toward the bed. After pushing the various dresses aside, she sat me down and had a serious look on her face.

“What?”

“My brother is falling in love with you.”

The frankness of her words was startling, even though I knew she was that kind of woman. I coughed, wishing my half-full wineglass was closer.

She seemed to sense what I was wishing for, grabbing both glasses that had been placed on the nightstand. “Take a sip and listen to me.”

“I don’t think you’re going to allow me to go anywhere.”

“No, I am not. I am serious.”

“I don’t know Nico well and God knows he didn’t take any time to get to figure out who I was or am.”

I did so adore when she cursed in her native language, completely frustrated with me. “The two of you are hardheaded. Jesus.”

“Well, maybe true, but I don’t think he is eager to start any relationship, and I need to figure out if I’m still attending Georgetown next year.”

“We have an incredible, top accredited medical school right here. You will stay.”

“And I don’t know Italian.”

Her wink made me groan. “I will teach you.”

“You’re crazy.”

“I want you to stay.”

“Well, there’s a little thing that needs to occur. Your brother needs to ask me to stay and I don’t think he’s going to do that.”

“Bullshit.” Isabella lifted her glass. “My brother was worried about what to wear tonight.”

“Not a chance. He’s the Don of the Sicilian Cosa Nostra and a very important man. He’s not going to worry about what clothes to wear for a dinner.”

Her grin was far too wicked. “Bet me.”

We laughed and toasted, my thoughts turning quite naughty. I adored the man. A part of me really did want to stay, but there was so much baggage at this point. I noticed her expression suddenly became very serious. “What is it?”

“When Nico’s girlfriend left, he decided no more women. What’s your excuse?”

“His girlfriend left him?”

She wrinkled her nose. “Yes, a long time ago. He’ll kill me if I told you the reason why.”

I could tell she was dying to let me know the secret. “Come on, Izzy. You’re pulling out the stops to ensure your brother finally frees himself from these self-imposed chains. Why did she leave him?”

Sighing, she took a sip of wine before answering. “She had a miscarriage at almost four months she blamed him for.”

The woman could have told me almost anything, including the girl had been from some celebrity family, but hearing about his two losses nearly broke my heart. “What? Why would she blame him?”

“That’s a part of the story he doesn’t talk about. But it crushed him almost as much as the death of your father. But seeing the light in his eyes when you walk into a room is something neither Domino nor I thought we’d ever see again. You’re good for him.”

“I’m a disaster at this point, Izzy. I watched a man dying. The fuckers are after me.”

“You don’t know that for certain. You’re just scared and I don’t blame you.”

The fact I’d kept the threat from Nico was starting to weigh even more heavily on my mind. I planned on telling him after the party. He deserved to know. At least there hadn’t been another one, but it didn’t mean the monster wasn’t getting closer.

“I’m so sorry that happened. But I’m not a replacement.”

“Of course you’re not,” Isabella said. “You’re a special woman who’s captured my brother’s attention. Just know you have the rest of the family’s support.”

“I appreciate that.” Although I wasn’t entirely certain how I felt about it. There were so many things I wanted to say to her, but wasn’t certain if it was my place. The knock on the door prevented me from saying anything.

“Ms. Marciano. I was sent to fetch you according to your brother.”

I couldn’t help but smile at the girl, the very one who’d been so helpful in sharing clothing sites with me. “Fetch, huh?” I asked.

“I don’t know that word, but that’s what I was told.”

Isabella hissed. “My brother can be a pain in the ass. Tell them we’re going to take our sweet time and they can fucking wait.”

I did so love her rebellious attitude.

“Yes, ma’am.”

We both laughed after she closed the door.

“I’m wearing tennis shoes under the dress.”

“You are not!” Isabella was horrified.

“I can’t walk in heels.”

“Then learn. Fast.” She eyed me as a mother would with her very naughty child.

Isabella stood, riffling through the last of the dresses I hadn’t tried on. “The red one. Definitely the red one. Hurry and change. We don’t want to keep my brother waiting, now do we?”

Nico

“You’re egging our sister on, brother,” I told Domino.

“Oh, it wouldn’t be a party if Izzy wasn’t irritated about something. Besides, I can tell your patience is fading.” Domino took a step away as if I was going to punch him. Given his constant teasing, I just might.

He’d made fun of my billowy white shirt and dark jeans, telling me I looked like some guy from a romance novel. I’d challenged him with how the fuck would he know?

“Very funny. I just have a lot on my mind,” I told him.

Domino sighed and we both stood quietly, sipping on our drinks. We were already in the dining room, my sister requiring the good china be brought out. The room had been transformed into all gold and silver.

As if this was a goddamn wedding reception.

Wishful thinking on Isabella’s part. She was fawning over Alexandra constantly.

“I know how much you like her and I’m really happy you finally found someone,” my brother said. For all the kidding he always did, he was being serious.

I tipped my drink, staring into the liquid. “I can’t force her to stay here.”

“Like hell you can’t. We have one of the best medical schools in Europe.”

“And she won’t want to attend. You don’t know her.”

“But I know you. You need this girl here with you.”

I lifted my gaze to my brother. “I don’t know. Maybe I’m too old.”

“Oh, for the love of fuck. That’s insane. She’s perfect for you. You just need to get your head out of your ass to see it.”

I’d never seen him so adamant in his life. I clapped him on the shoulder. “First things first. We deal with these issues.” I’d finally told him about the break-in at the production facility. He’d taken the news more calmly than I’d expected.

“I understand, but know you have my support and God knows Izzy will kill you if you allow that girl to leave.”

We were able to laugh together even if it felt as if a noose was hanging around my neck. I had a bad feeling that refused to leave, checking the cameras a solid ten times already today. The quiet in my mind was eerie.

“Is Mother coming tonight?” Domino’s question broke my concentration.

“She’s playing canasta with several friends of hers. Her regular Friday night event, as she calls it. Complete with male waiters to cater to their every need.” When my feisty mother had told me, I’d burst into laughter thinking she was kidding.

She hadn’t been.

“You mean male strippers.”

I turned my head, eyeing my brother carefully. I could tell he was serious. My mother was close to seventy years old. It was definitely too much information. “I do not want to know.”

He grinned, his goddamn eyes twinkling like he’d just scored one on me.

“You’re an ass,” I told him.

“You’re a stuck-up prude. How do you think your much younger girlfriend is going to tolerate your ancient actions? I doubt she’ll want to spin you around in your wheelchair in a few years.” He took a step back, waiting for my response.

It was as if we were young men again with way too much testosterone and a determination to control the world. “Yeah? Well, since you have a tough time getting it up, you won’t have that option.”

“Bastard.”

“Jerk.”

We pretended to spar as we’d done so long ago. The activity had stopped. I couldn’t remember when or if there’d been a why other than there’d been a few years we hadn’t gotten along. This felt good. Damn good. Almost normal. Family traditions my father had tried to instill in all three of us. He’d ensured every holiday was special, fawning over my mother for her favorite holiday of Christmas.

The feast of the seven fishes. Family coming over for days. Music blaring through the house. Four Christmas trees standing twelve feet high. And every tree and surface outside decorated with lights.

For the past four years, nothing.

No lights.

No trees in the main house.

No Christmas Eve feast.

At first, I’d led myself to believe it was because of grief. Now I was beginning to ask myself how the rest of my family tolerated my cold fish behavior. I didn’t know what had happened, but I hated myself for it.

Could I change?

Who the hell knew. What I did know was that if I had a reason to, it was Alexandra. One fucking week. It had taken her one fucking week to derail everything in my world.

One. Fucking. Week.

What did that tell me?

We heard female laughter and straightened up, both of us brushing our hands down the front of our clothes at the same time.

When the two ladies walked into the room, I heard my brother whistling first. Both women were incredibly beautiful, but I was used to my sister stealing the show anywhere we went or at any event.

But Alexandra.

By God, I know my heart stopped. I’d enjoyed the beauty of various women from different countries over the years. Blondes. Brunettes. Redheads. From fashion to horse shows. But seeing Alexandra in a crimson dress, her long hair piled on top of her head, with the subtle makeup no doubt my sister had applied adding a sultry touch was…

Breathtaking.

The dress highlighted her voluptuous body without appearing tight. It was the perfect attire for her long legs and shapely figure. My mouth watered. My cock throbbed. And my balls tightened. Not to mention what the sight of her did to my pulse.

Fuck me.

I hadn’t realized I’d walked closer until she lifted her head to look me in the eyes. But only slightly. She was much taller in heels, which also helped with the defiant, sparkling look in her eyes. I adored seeing her this way, as if she could conquer the world.

I had no doubt she could.

Without hesitation, she offered a sly smile and took the glass of whiskey from my hand. The little temptress licked the rim before taking a sip. My brother whistled again and by that point, my sister had moved to his side, swatting him in the stomach.

“Tongue back inside your head, brother,” Isabella attempted to whisper to me, but it was impossible with Alexandra.

When Alexandra had drained most of the glass, she finally handed it back to me. The two melting ice cubes clinked in the glass together and she smiled seductively.

“Delicious, but I would prefer wine. Blood. Red. Wine,” she half whispered in more of a seductive purr.

“And let the party begin,” Domino growled.