Chapter 24

When I wake up, I’m alone. Alessandro’s dark sheets are tangled up on his side, so I know I didn’t just dream of him coming into my room and bringing me back here. Stretching, I feel how tired my body really is. My muscles are stiff from all the tension last night and a sleepless night seeing ghosts and monsters, ones that are factual and all form a part of my current real-life nightmare. I find Alessandro’s shirt on the end of the bed from last night and slip it on over my lacy underwear. I can’t locate last night’s dress, so I’ll have to wear this until I find the rest of my belongings.

The place is eerily quiet when I go in search of coffee. I can only hope the boys are in the gym or working in the den so I can have some time to myself this morning to get my head screwed on properly. To my luck the kitchen is empty, and I make a coffee and take it out to the patio into the sun. This is fast becoming my favorite place in the house. I close my eyes and let the summer sunshine warm my skin, bringing me back to life .

I have a new plan and more questions for Marco, but since Enzo kept us apart for the rest of the night, I didn’t get them answered at the party. I wonder which of the boys I can convince to let me see him again. I wouldn’t have said this a week ago, but I think Maddox is the most likely to help me. He let me walk in on that conversation last night. He wanted me to know Marco was alive, even when the other two were happy to keep me in the dark, that much was obvious. I guess he will be my first target.

“She’s out here,” I hear Ricky call from the bi-fold doors that stretch out to this outdoor space. I recoil, knowing I’m going to have to deal with them already. I barely took a sip from my mug, and now I have to see them without being caffeinated.

Ricky comes right over to the lounger I’m sitting on and plonks himself down beside me. I scan his shirtless torso, trying to look bored. But holy hell, the man’s ripped. And that V muscle thing that leads down to his... Well shit, now I’m looking at his package. This is not part of the plan, Harley. Get your shit together.

I flick my eyes back up to his, and he smirks knowingly. “How’d you sleep, baby doll?” His eyes linger on my bare legs, his smile lighting up his face, happier than anyone should be at this hour of the morning.

Why is he in such a good mood? Especially when the last thing I said to him was fuck off. But I guess he is always pretty chirpy. I wonder how that’s possible, now I know what he does for a living. Although they didn’t clarify it completely, I have a rough idea of what they meant. Whatever Enzo wants them to.

“How do you think I slept?” I mutter, taking another big sip of coffee, praying to the coffee gods to give me some strength to deal with this shit today.

Alessandro and Maddox arrive at the door together, looking more flustered, and I don’t think it’s from their time working out, even though they’re also without their shirts and in sweatpants. “Did you boys lose something?” I laugh bitterly. Like I could escape this place. But the look of fear in their eyes tells me that’s exactly what they thought happened. I wasn’t in Alessandro’s bed where he left me sleeping, so I must have escaped.

I consume the last of the coffee and hand it off to Ricky, as if he were my personal assistant, before rolling onto my front so I can block them and their bullshit out. “Unless one of you plans on taking me to my brother, I have nothing to say to you.”

Alessandro moves, his enormous frame blocking my sunshine. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” he growls.

I pop open one eye and squint at him. “Aren’t I supposed to be getting used to a life of being your pampered little doll? Thought I better get a start on the tan. After all, keeping my mouth shut and looking pretty is all I’m good for, right?” I relax my head back down, making myself comfortable.

“I’m going to make us some breakfast,” Maddox grumbles from the doorway, and I get the impression he doesn’t want to hang around for this fight. Smart man.

“What are you wearing, baby doll?” Ricky’s voice has a seductive undertone. I can practically read that man’s mind and all the dirty things he’s imagining right now. Oh, if only it were that simple, Ricky, we could really have some fun together. Shame you work for the asshole standing over me.

“Your boss’s shirt from last night, isn’t it obvious?” I mutter, not bothering to lift my head. I can feel the glower on Alessandro’s face as he stares me down, I don’t need to see it as well.

“Why?” Laughter escapes from him .

“You dickheads took all my stuff. What else was I supposed to wear? I can take it off and lie here in my underwear if you want?” I roll over and collect the bottom of the shirt ready to pull it over my head.

But Alessandro’s hand comes to my wrist, pulling me up to sitting and stopping me from taking it off. “We didn’t take your stuff, just simply moved it into my room. You’re about to be my wife, after all.”

My heart goes nuts in my chest at the possessive way he’s looking down at me. He’s fucking pissed, but so am I, and what am I supposed to say to that? Oh, thank you, Alessandro, for moving me into your room so you can control me there as well. Not a fucking chance in hell. I know he did it because of what his papa said last night about getting me under control. And again, he’s just proven to me he is one of daddy’s yes men.

“Rick, give us a minute,” he snaps at his brother.

Ricky’s eyes run over me, a cheeky smile coming over his pretty face as he ogles my ass. “Seems like it was about to get interesting,” he complains, but he complies with the request and stands up, making his way inside to join Maddox.

I stare up at Alessandro, his fingers digging into the soft flesh of my wrists. “You have them all trained so well, don’t you, boss?” I tut, making sure he can hear my disappointment.

“They do what I say because they know it’s for the greater good of us all. I would do anything to protect my brothers, Marco included, and they me. You could learn a thing or two from having a little discipline.”

I roll my eyes, not wanting to hear this shit again. They might all have each other’s backs, but they chose this life. I didn’t. Glaring back at him, I’m ready to say as much. “I don’t need discipline. I need some respect and the truth, but you assholes have done nothing but keep shit from me and treat me like a caged animal since I got here. ”

He drops my arm and takes a step back from me, running his fingers through his dark hair causing it to curl at the ends. He’s quite a sight this morning, his bare chest still all sweaty from working out glistening in the sunlight. I have to stop myself from drooling and remember how much I hate him. Because fuck, my lady parts have other ideas.

“I’m sorry, princess.” The words slip from his lips like he didn’t even have control over them. I doubt this man ever apologizes to anyone.

Goosebumps scatter up my neck. His apology ignites a storm of anger within me. One I’ve been holding on to since last night, but this shit just pushed me over the edge. I get to my feet abruptly. “You’re sorry? You really expect me to believe that when you’re the one who’s been lying through your teeth since I got here.”

“I haven’t lied to you,” he quietly cuts, but there is a guilty expression on his handsome face that shows he understands hiding information from me is just as bad.

“No, you just had me believe my brother was dead.” I push past him, so sick of the bullshit. My plan has already gone out the door. I can’t control my anger toward him.

“It wasn’t supposed to go down the way it did,” he growls out like I’m pushing him to the verge of losing it completely.

I spin back to face him, a fresh wave of anger coursing through my veins. “Oh yeah? Then what was supposed to happen?” My hands fly to my hips defensively. He can’t talk his way out of this. I would never treat someone the way he treated me.

“We never intended to hurt you. If you’d listened to Ricky instead of taking off, you would have been safe in our hands, not scared and on the run all this time. You would have known your brother was alive and well, and we could have taken care of you until he returned. ”

He paints such a different picture to the one I know to be true. How dare he turn this all around on me! “Why scare the shit out of me first? You could have just told me what was going on. Any of you could have. That night haunts me in a way I’ll never get over, even now that I know my brother’s alive. Can you even fathom what that would be like?” Angry tears prickle in my eyes. Memories flash through my head. The utter terror I felt hearing them kill my family. Thinking I was next.

“For six fucking months, I thought you could be dead,” he roars. “Thought the fucking D’Amicos had you. I know exactly the pain you experienced. I had to go on every day thinking I would never see you again and it was all my fault.”

Our eyes lock, and I find myself mesmerized by the darkness I see. His pain, the longing. He was really worried about me; he just has a fucked-up way of showing it and that pisses me off even more. “You don’t give a fuck about me. Don’t pretend you do. I can marry you knowing what this is, knowing I’m doing it to protect my brother, but don’t lie to me and tell me we’re something we’re not. That you care about me when I know you don’t.” My words shake out as my fists clench, my body so tight with anger I’m ready to lash out at him.

“I’m not lying about this, Harley. After your papa sent you away, I did everything I could to get you back.” He shakes his head. “You were back home because I wanted you here. What happened at your papa’s house was all a setup to eliminate a larger problem and send a warning. If anyone had known what we had planned, it could have compromised the entire operation. It’s why Marco couldn’t tell you until it was done. You never should have run from us.”

“My papa?” My voice trembles with pain understanding the realty of his words. “You thought I would tell him? You and Marco don’t trust me? ”

He takes my hand, lacing his fingers with mine and I let him, feeling some of the tension lift from my body instantly. “I know he was your beloved papa, but Stefano was a lying piece of shit. He double-crossed us and got involved with the D’Amicos. Thought he could work on both sides, undercutting prices and siphoning product, and who fucking knows what else he was up to with them. He started a fucking war, one I intend to put an end to, but first we had to deal with him, without him knowing what was coming.” He strokes my hand softly, as I stare back at him wishing he just told me all of this in the first place. “That included you, princess.”

“But Marco, why did you make it look like he was dead?” His hand skates up my arm cupping my chin, I suck in a breath, his touch having so much dominance over me. His hand travels into my messy hair, stroking it off my face gently.

“Marco was the one who worked out what your papa was doing. He overheard a conversation between him and Carlo D’Amico, Geovani’s father. Then later, he witnessed the contract the two of them had drawn up. He needed to disappear until it all settled down, and fast, so we got him out of the country.”

He has an answer for every question I throw at him today, and that surprises me. But the more we talk, the more questions I have. “What contract?”

His lips turn up at the sides and I know that question was what he had been waiting for. “Your papa arranged your marriage to Carlo D’Amico’s son as compensation for his mistake. He basically sold you to Geovani.”

Stepping away from his hold, my body becomes rigid and my heart races uncontrollably. My papa was planning to hand me over to that family because of the messed-up shit he got involved in. “He wouldn’t. My papa loved me.” My voice breaks as I try to get the words out, a fresh wave of pain radiating through my chest. Hearing what he let happen to my mother last night was devastating, but I never thought he would betray me like this. I was his little girl, his precious little princess. He always said he would do anything for me. Even Marco said he sent me away to keep me out of this trouble. He wouldn’t have done this to me, I just know it.

Alessandro shakes his head like he can read my thoughts. “Your papa is no different to any of the other greedy, money and power-hungry men I meet every day. Always searching for the fastest way to earn a buck, it’s a harsh reality to learn Harley, but it’s better you know it now. You were just a pawn to him, a negotiation tool to get him out of the shit he was in with Carlo.”

A sob escapes me, and he pulls me in closer. I let him hold me, because I have no idea what else to do, but I can’t soften into his solid chest. He might have come clean with me today, but I still can’t trust him. I won’t, he has proved to me what’s important to him already. Why is he even telling me all this now? Because I found out about Marco? I bet he wouldn’t have otherwise. Eventually I pull back, studying his face because I want to see his reaction to my next question. “And now what? You three are using me the same way. That’s why I’m being forced to marry you, isn’t it?”

I see the flash of hurt, but he knows it’s true. “We thought if you were already married to one of us, their contract would be void. The D’Amicos wouldn’t have any reason to come after you and claim what they believed was theirs. I was trying to protect you.”

A cold laugh escapes me. “You can’t even deny it. Wow, me marrying you isn’t just about protecting me. I’m not stupid. What are you getting out of it, Alex?” I snap back at him, bitterness dripping off every word .

“That’s not for you to worry about.” He straightens his shoulders, the vein in his neck looking like it’s going to pop at my blatant rejection of his excuse.

I take a step back from him, I see how this is going to be, give her just enough so you can keep her happy. Was that fucking direct instruction from his mother fucking papa as well? I fucking bet it was. I wrap my arms around my middle protectively feeling so alone. “No. You’ll just use me and then I will be discarded when I’m no longer needed. I won’t worry about any of it.” My voice is filled with sarcasm. He’s no different from my papa. Or his.

His nostrils flare, a fresh wave of anger settling on me, making me feel small. His hand flies to my chin, forcing me to look directly into his furious glare. I should have known the sweetness wouldn’t last long. “I will never be done with you, Harley.” He utters the words as a promise, one that crawls beneath my skin and fills me with a deep-seated fear. Because I know it’s true.

“Then I will forever be your prisoner and not your wife,” I snap back, not dropping eye contact, even though my body trembles, showing him just how much he scares me.

“Marrying you will solidify my position in my family. I know you don’t realize this yet, but your name is important, and our two families being connected is crucial to me taking over from my papa when the time is right.” His grip tightens. “You think what me and my brothers did to you was a nightmare come to life? The D’Amicos will destroy your soul, that’s if they let you live long enough.”

I blink back at him, taking in his cruel words. He’s trying to scare me, but it’s not going to work. He’s already destroyed my soul keeping me caged up here, destroying my family and demanding I give him my life. “You’re the same as my papa. I’m your meal ticket to the money and power you crave,” I retort, making it damn clear I don’t believe a word that comes out of his mouth. Geovani would never hurt me. I know him. Yeah, maybe he lied to me and told me he was a cop when he wasn’t, but he helped me, he was so kind to me and taught me how to protect myself. Gave me a way of living outside of my family, and sure, it might have been a shitty existence, but it was mine. I was the one in control of my life, not anyone else. He wouldn’t have done any of those things if he was the awful man they all say he is.

“I have a duty to protect my men. You and your brother. Ricky and Maddox. My family,” he growls out, his grip on me biting into my skin. I glare back at him with defiance, his words not changing my mind. “I won’t apologize for doing what I have to, so I can protect the people I care about. And whether you like it or not, that includes you.”

I don’t get it, how he can insist on caring about me, calling me part of his family when he thinks controlling me is acceptable behavior.

Maddox appears in my vision, watching us before announcing, “Breakfast is ready.” I’m grateful for the interruption, and I wonder if this is another way of saving me from his boss. It’s clear that he’s not impressed by the way he’s holding me. That being said, Maddox has been no better in his treatment toward me. That is something I cannot easily forget even if he’s making more of an effort with me now.

Ricky joins him. “Paper’s out. Valentina’s done her part. Your engagement made the second page.” He smirks playfully, holding up the paper with a glaring image of the two of us looking every bit the happy, loved up couple from last night. I don’t even recall the image being taken or ever looking up at him in that way. Like I actually like him.

Alessandro loosens his grip and takes a step back from me, his demeanor changing. It’s as if he has suddenly realized he was hurting me. “Two weeks and you will be my wife.” He utters those painful words with such arrogance that it intensifies my dislike for him. He’s taunting me, holding his power over my head, and he fucking knows it.

I shoot him a defiant glare, matching his intensity in a silent stare-off. I might be backed into a corner and forced to marry him, but he will never own me. Not in the way he thinks. Or wants.

A thunderous blast shatters the silence as the concrete wall sheltering the perimeter of the patio crumbles into a haze of dust and rubble. Alessandro’s body collides with mine, crushing me and causing me to fall to the solid pavers below before I can even react to the shockwaves of the explosion. His weight presses down on me, a protective blanket shielding me from harm. His massive arms wrap around my head as jagged pieces of concrete rain down over us, the sound of their impact muffled by his protective embrace.

What the fuck is happening?