Chapter 12

12

Olivia

Luca and Jeanne look at each other like it's enough to be in each other's presence. They gaze into each other's eyes, heedless of anyone else in the vicinity. We're in Malta, in the living room of the Sovranos' safe house, where an official is currently formalizing the marriage between the two of them.

After that encounter in the restroom—apparently, I'm a member of the mile-high club now— when I spoke those hateful words to him, he released me. Then he stepped back, tucked himself in, washed his hands, and left without another word. He literally washed his hands of me.

I managed to step back into my panties and yoga pants, then took my time putting myself back together before returning to my seat. Penny was still sleeping. This time, Massimo had chosen a seat right in the front of the aircraft, with his back facing me. So, there's no reason to lock gazes with him again. Maybe he finally got the message. Hopefully, he learned I'm serious about not having anything more to do with him.

You'll have me.

It's not enough.

I lied to him. Truth is, in a very short space of time, he's crawled into my mind. I've been thinking of him to the exclusion of everything else, including the career I spent years building. The career that's going to take off as soon as I step foot on stage as the lead in Beauty and the Beast.

Of course, it's the first in the many steps I need to take to become successful. And nothing is going to stand in my way. If Massimo looks at me again or tries to kiss me, chances are, I'll give in to him. I need another way to show him I'm off-limits. A foolproof way to communicate to him that I'm never going to entertain the idea of the two of us having some kind of a relationship. Not that he spelled it out, exactly, but the way he'd gazed into my eyes when we fucked... It made the act so much more meaningful—a way of speaking to each other with our bodies, of connecting to each other without saying a word. No, it's too dangerous to be around him. I have to convey that things between us were well and truly over. I reach over and pull out my phone, making use of the onboard Wi-Fi to message my friend, Declan Beauchamp.

We met in LA, at one of the many auditions I made the rounds of. I kept running into him, even contemplated sleeping with him once, a notion I'd discarded just as quickly. He's a few years older than me and landed his breakout role a few months ago, which quickly made him media fodder. It didn't change him, though. If anything, it seems to have made him even more appreciative of our friendship. And that's the true test, isn't it? How someone behaves after they become famous? So far, Declan has aced all of the tests in that area. It probably has to do with the fact that he comes from money, and his brother, Arpad Beauchamp, is one of the most respected investment consultants in Europe, not to mention one of the richest.

Other than Jeanne and Penny, Declan is the only other person I'd count on to help me out when in need.

Me: Hey D?

He replies almost instantly.

Declan: Wassup?

Me: What if I told you I need you to back me up in a lie?

…

…

The bubbles jump, showing he's typing out a message, then stop.

Declan: Depends on the lie.

Me: What if I told you it's so I can stop myself from committing a HUGE mistake?

Declan: Hmm. It's a man I take it?

Me: Interesting you'd jump to that conclusion but yes, it's a man.

Declan: You've never asked me for help in that department, so this should be interesting.

Me: Nothing interesting, you ass. I simply need you to play along when the time comes.

Declan: Do I want to know what I have to play along with? *smirk emoji*

Me: Trust me, you don't. Just do as you're told.

Declan: You know I don't take kindly to orders… Except from my closest friends.

Me: I know jerkface. Trust me you, won't regret this. I hope...

Declan: Which means I will regret this but that's okay. Anything for you Olly.

Me: Hate that nickname.

Declan: No you don't. Gotta run.

Come to think of it, there are a lot of similarities between Declan and Massimo. Both are tall and good-looking, and both have that aura of dominance that clings to them, so when they walk into a room, you have to quell the urge to bend and scrape. Only difference, there's this chemistry with Massimo that threatens to detonate every time I meet him. Something I don't have with Declan, charming as he is. More's the pity. Life would be easier if I could fall for Declan. A-n-d… No, no, no, I have not fallen for Massimo, either. That would be very dumb of me. A mistake I will not let myself commit.

"I now pronounce you man and wife," the officiant declares.

I jump when I hear those words, then force myself to focus on the unfolding scene before me. Luca pulls Jeanne close and kisses her forehead. She seems taken aback by the gesture. Guess she expected something more passionate. That's the way it is with these Mafia men. They like to keep you on edge. Prefer to take you by surprise, so you'll never know what they're going to do next. I know because I've seen the likes of them up close.

Not that I've revealed my past to any of my friends. It's a time in my life I prefer to keep compartmentalized, and for a good reason. I'm not proud of my roots. Not proud of what my family does for a living. But, perhaps I internalized some traits of my upbringing, for I'm attracted to exactly the kind of man I once swore off. Don't women often marry someone like their father because that's the model for what they expect in a husband? And there are a lot of similarities between Massimo and my father. They are both loyal to their clan, protective of their family, and with a big heart. My dad was also very controlling when it came to my Ma. Would Massimo turn out that way, too? He's possessive, and I admit, I like that trait in him. But if we were to get together, would he stop me from pursuing my career?

Why am I thinking of a possible future with him? I don't want anything to do with him. Definitely not. I squeeze my fingers together.

Luca and Jeanne sign the marriage certificate, then Penny rushes forward to congratulate the newlyweds. She kisses Jeanne on her cheek. I want to do the same. I want to feel happy for my friend, but I worry if I say or do anything wrong, the fact that I'm worried for her will come through. Does she know what she's getting into with Luca? Does she know she's marrying into the Cosa Nostra ?

I turn away and my gaze is captured by Massimo's. He's wearing the same dark suit he wore on the flight. His chin is dark with a day-old beard. Just how it was when I met him in the bar. Sometime during that night we spent together, he must have dragged those whiskers across my inner thighs; the red marks he'd left behind on my skin were visible when I got home. He took me when I was half-asleep, more than once, and the orgasms blurred into each other. It took me days to recover from the high of the endorphins. That's how thoroughly he fucked me.

Those gray eyes of his grow blue-green. Goddamn, I already know it means he's aroused. He wets his lips, and ohmygod, I can feel the tug on my clit. No one else has eaten me out before him. Now, you know. I didn't feel comfortable being that vulnerable with anyone else. Blowjobs are okay, but having someone go down on me? I need to trust my partner, and apparently, my subconscious decided I did, without checking in with me.

"I know you'll make her happy. I know you love her. I see it in your eyes," Penny declares.

Of the three of us, Penny is the most romantic, the most idealistic, and it shows in her words. Not that I don't want to fall in love, but life isn't always that generous. And even if you do fall in love, there are no guarantees you'll get a happy ending.

The officiant behind us clears his throat again. "I need two witnesses to sign, as well."

"I'll do it." I tear my gaze off of Massimo's, then step forward. I glance around for a pen.

"Here." Massimo pulls a pen from inside his coat pocket. I take it from him with a muttered thanks. I finish signing, then he does the same. When he straightens, our gazes clash. His eyes flash, and a trembling grips me. It's as if a host of butterflies have been let loose in my belly. My fingers dampen. I set my jaw, and a mask seems to fall over his features. He breaks the connection, then we turn to face Jeanne and Luca.

"Everything okay?" Jeanne glances between us.

"Of course." I paste a big smile on my face. I step forward and hug Jeanne. "Congratulations. I hope you'll be happy."

"You still don't approve, do you?" she mutters under her breath.

"It doesn't matter what I think." I kiss her cheek. "If this is what you want, then who am I to disagree? Just remember, if you ever need help, I'll be there for you."

She holds my gaze; a slight furrow mars her forehead.

I squeeze Jeanne's hand one last time, then step back. "We're going to make our own way back to Palermo," I declare.

"But you won't make it back in time for the rehearsal this evening," she protests.

"I already checked the flights. I booked two tickets on the first flight out, which leaves in..." I look at my watch. "Two hours. We'll be back in Palermo in plenty of time for the rehearsal."

"You're not taking a commercial flight," Massimo says in a hard voice.

"News flash: it's how we normal people do things. Which you are not." I look him up and down. "But I wouldn't expect you to understand, given your lifestyle. Also, I am not flying back on the same plane as you. I only agreed to come by private jet because I needed to get here in time to witness my best friend's wedding, which—" I turn to Jeanne. "I have now done." I kiss her again on the cheek. "See you back at the rehearsal."

I walk past them and head for the door, then stop and glance over her shoulder. "You coming, Penny?"

Penny looks at me pleadingly.

I scowl back at her.

Jeanne looks crestfallen.

I bite my lip, then close the distance to her and hug her again. "I am so sorry. I know it's hurtful of me to take off like this. It's just... I can't stand your brother-in-law."

I glance from her to where Massimo is watching us closely.

"Huh? Is there something between the two of you? Something you haven't told us?"

Shit, of course Jeanne would jump to that conclusion, considering how cagey I've been acting around Massimo. And my aggressive statement didn't help.

I hesitate, then lean in even closer. "I can neither confirm nor deny that statement," I mutter.

"Oh, my god. So, you two met before? Did you sleep with him?" she whisper-yells.

"Shh." I peer at Massimo from the corner of my eyes. "Don't worry about it. Anyway, today is not about me; it's about you. I truly hope that you'll be happy." I kiss her cheek. "Please don't be angry with me for leaving, okay?"

She scans my features, then nods. "Fine." She blows out a breath. "Go on, get out of here. But you owe me an explanation."

"Thanks, Jeanne." I squeeze her arm. "I'll see you in time for the rehearsal, okay?"

Penny rushes over, and hugs Jeanne again. "See you in a few, babe. Remember what I said about riding the stallion?"