by K. L Mann
I’m about to continue my rant when the car comes to a stop, we’re outside of Lorenzo’s house. We shouldn’t have been able to get back here this quickly. We drove inhumanly fast.
“Give us a minute.” Lorenzo tells Gio.
Gio leaves the car and his door slams behind him.
Suddenly the car feels smaller, I can taste Lorenzo’s breath.
I realize that he’s driving, he never drives. I’m sitting up front, I never sit up front when we’re all together. The whole situation feels more serious now, and my stomach hurts. Lorenzo is looking at me, not speaking.
Lorenzo’s hands grip around the sides of my face and pull me into him. Our lips hit each other roughly but I rejoice in it. He’s kissing me, he can’t be mad…
I whimper when he pulls himself off of me.
“Do not, ever do that to me again.” Lorenzo growls. “Do you understand me?”
I nod nervously. His face and his grip is scaring me.
“Please don’t be mad at me.” A stubborn un welcomed tear falls down the side of my cheek. “I just wanted him to have fun. He seems really sad, like…” I pause to calm myself down. “Like when I’m sad, he seems numb.” Another tear falls. “He drinks like I do, we’re the same.”
“You need to sleep.” Lorenzo’s hands come off of my face.
“I know I ruined dinner, and movie night and I scared you.” I frown. “Will you forgive me, please?”
“This time.” Lorenzo warns and gets out of the car.
Chapter 20: Segreti
Lorenzo
I put Katherine to bed over an hour ago, luckily, she actually stayed there this time.
“She’s insane.” Luca grumbles as he finally gets back into the house.
Gio and I are in the foyer as he enters.
“My office.”
I lead the way and unlock the door as I approach it.
My office is always locked, only Gio and Luca have access to it regularly. Camera feed is sent to six computers in the corner of the room. My desk sits in the middle of the back wall, a few feet from touching it. There are two couches that face each other and a coffee table separating them as you walk in. Everything is black, I prefer it that way. There are no distracting details like color or bright lights. I can think here.
“She can’t know.” Gio rubs his temples and sits on one couch. Luca takes the other and I sit in my office chair.
“She won’t find out.” Luca offers assurance.
“She’ll have more fucking questions.” I grimace.
“Do we have confirmation yet?” Luca asks, holding on to hope.
“Yes.” I sigh. “They’re all dead, every single one of her uncles, aunts, and cousins.”
“Do you think Gustavo knows she’s here?” Gio asks but he already knows.
“We’ve all heard the rumors. Challenge Night was a bad idea.” I scowl. “Wedding invitations on top of it…” I shake my head.
“So, what’s the actual plan?” Luca is impatient, probably frustrated with Katherine’s latest stunt with my brother.
I know he likes her, but she drives him mad. Her recklessness makes him uncomfortable.
“Everything gets done here, everything. Dress fitting, taste testing, fuck, every stupid little detail until we have the ceremony at the estate.” I sigh. “Keep seven Graduates here, with us that makes ten. Send the other eight to assist my father’s team.”
“Gustavo would be completely mental to try anything here.” Gio scoffs.
“Exactly.” I murmur darkly. “Gustavo is completely unhinged.”
“We’ll be ready.” Luca assures me.
“I know.”
I get a few hours of sleep before the sun is up and I have more work to do. It’s 6am, I’m dressed in all black as I normally am. I roll my sleeves up quickly before slicking my hair messily into place.
Gio and Luca are in the kitchen with Caterina when I find them.
“Is she awake yet?” I mumble and grab a plate with an omelet.
“She’s on her sixth lap.” Luca points out the bay window into the garden.
“I think she feels bad about yesterday, she woke up at like 5am today.” Gio shrugs and bites into an apple.
“To be fair, we know why we were so worried. She doesn’t.” Luca shrugs.
“Katherine feels very sick this morning, she threw up a few times.” Caterina informs us with a frown.
“She’s just hungover.” Gio reassures her, she seems worried. Caterina nods at him and leaves us after drying her last cooking dish.
“Everything is set, the men will be here in an hour. They’re being prepped right now.” Luca tells me after looking at his phone.
“Your mom, Sofia and Arianna will be here at ten for the fitting.” Gio reminds me.
I nod.
I finish eating my omelet and reluctantly get up to see Katherine. She’s nearing the end of a loop outside. She’s covered in shiny sweat but her black sports bra and shorts seem dry.
She’ll probably be annoyed that I’m stopping her this soon into her run.
Katherine comes to a stop as I step in front of her path. She’s breathing heavily and sighs when she sees me.
“We have things to do.” She looks paler than normal. “And you shouldn’t be running when you don’t feel good.”
“I feel fine.” She bites back.
“Sure, you do.”
“Why couldn’t we just elope? All this wedding shit is seriously not my style.” Katherine’s hands rub the back of her neck and she winces.
“My family doesn’t do elope.” I pause, looking her over. Her body is lethal, and far too tempting to continue to stare at her. “You have a fitting at ten and I can’t be here for it. There will be extra security on the property this week. No stunts, okay?”
“Okay.” Katherine frowns like she’s in pain.
“Go take a bath, get dressed, and eat.” I demand.
“You’re so bossy.” Katherine glares at me and walks away.
I let her.
Normally, I wouldn’t allow her disrespectful eyerolls or storming off. I don’t have the time or patience to deal with her today. There is too much to do, and too many people to brief. Besides, her ass looks incredible when she walks away.
Katherine
I feel like shit. I haven’t been this hungover in years. I should have eaten, drinking on an empty stomach is like asking for punishment. I couldn’t make myself stay asleep this morning and my run was just sad. I didn’t feel the burn I wanted, I felt nauseous and guilty the whole time.
Lorenzo told me to take a bath, which only made me not want to do it. Despite my desire to disobey his every stupid demand, my body is far too sore to stand in the shower.
I draw myself a steaming hot bath with salts and bubbles and sink into it. The water stings at first but I don’t care. My forehead is sweating from the steam and I let it. The water feels too good against my sore muscles.
Fucking wedding dress fitting. I just want to be able to sleep. My stomach hurts and my cramps have continued despite my bleeding already ending. I can’t even drink to numb the pain because the thought of another drink right now is making me want to puke even more. The antacids Caterina gave me this morning only helped a little bit. The last thing I want to do is eat breakfast. Ugh. I understand it’s supposed to help but it’s so gross to eat when your stomach hurts. I have a half hour to sit in this warmth, an hour to be dressed, an hour to eat, and then an hour to put myself in the right headspace.
As I pull up the zipper of my dress my body pain has subsided significantly. I picked a simple sky-blue dress with skinny straps that hugs my waist. The neckline shows far too much cleavage and it’s a bit short but I need something I can easily take off to try on my wedding gown. I refuse to wear high heels today and just wear a pair of silver sandals instead.
My face looks much better after I apply my makeup and fix my hair. I have it straightened in a high ponytail with some pieces falling around my fa
ce. My ring is in place so I just put on a simple cross necklace and head out of the door.
I know I need to eat; I also know I don’t want to. I find Caterina in the kitchen blending something.
Thank god.
“Ah, Katherine.” She smiles and stops blending. She pours something purple into a cup and hands it to me. “A light smoothie.” She smiles again. Reluctantly, I take the cup. “It will not hurt.” She tells me, like she’s read my mind.
“Thank you.” I take it and make myself sip. It’s not bad.
I haven’t seen Lorenzo, or anyone other than Caterina since coming downstairs.
Caterina always seems so cheerful to help, like she enjoys cooking and cleaning for all of us. She’s possibly the best part of this entire deal. I don’t even need to think about what to cook, let alone brainstorm about what I’m craving. Caterina knows all.
I have a little less than an hour until people will start showing up. I wasted so much time straightening my hair but it was sort of peaceful, I guess. I take my smoothie into the TV room and flip on Family Guy. I don’t even really enjoy the show but occasionally it’ll make me laugh. I just need something to fill the quiet.
I don’t know how much time has passed but my smoothie is gone, my stomach feels better and there’s a knock at the door.
“Come in?” I yell, confused.
The door creaks open but no one comes in.
“Your guests have arrived, Signora.” I don’t recognize the voice.
I don’t answer, I turn off the TV and make my way out. I almost run into him as I do. I figured he would have left; he was so quiet.
“Oh sorry, I’m a little scatterbrained today.” I tell the man.
He’s wearing a suit like Lorenzo but with a black tie and he has an earpiece in. I think he’s one of the graduates I met before. He is very tall, maybe even taller than Lorenzo.
“No trouble.” He assures me. “I will be accompanying you until Gio or Luca return.”
“Okay. Uhm, what do I call you?”
“Vito, Signora.” He seems stern, and serious.
I doubt he’d call me by my name if I asked, so I don’t. I make my way to the foyer and Vito follows. The seamstress from the wedding shop, Arianna, Gianna, and my mother are in the foyer ordering around some assistants.
“There you are Mija!” My mother yells as I enter. “I cannot believe you scared us all like that yesterday.” She tisks and shakes her head at me.
Great. I forgot about that, apology time.
“It’s fine Amá.” I sigh. “I just wanted Marco to have a good birthday.” She pulls me into her arms too tightly. “Lorenzo has already forgiven me.”
“I suppose I will not be angry with you today, today is a good day.” She lets me go and smiles at me.
“I thought it was nice what you did for Marco.” Gianna hugs me next. “Just no more disappearing, I’ve never seen Lorenzo so upset.” She whispers to me.
“Never again.” I whisper back.
Arianna doesn’t hug me too; she smiles at me weakly.
“I didn’t mean to worry you.” I sigh. “I don’t always have the best ideas.” I admit. “Forgive me?”
Arianna’s smile turns genuine. “Of course, I forgive you.” She gives me a quick hug before the seamstress interrupts.
“You.” She points to me. “You must have lost at least five pounds.” She eyes me up and down. “You are very lucky I brought my kit.” She smiles at me and pulls me away to a small little changing room her team assembled in the seating area of the foyer.
I hear people talking and whispering while the woman has me undress. I feel completely out of place and definitely not fit to be in a wedding gown. But before I can even think any further, the dress is on me. I can’t see myself but it feels like it fits perfectly.
“Perhaps your weight loss was not an issue after all.” The seamstress smiles at me with a hand on her chin. “Now, are you ready to see yourself?”
“Yes.” I smile back with fake confidence.
The curtains that were hiding me are pulled open and I hear small gasps. I step out and see Arianna holding her heart. Gianna and my mom are holding hands looking at me with their mouths parted. Vito is sitting in the corner on his phone. I don’t see him look at me.
No one speaks.
“So, what do you guys think?” I try to break the awkward silence.
“It’s perfect!” Arianna finally says.
I breathe a sigh of relief.
“It’s just breathtaking.” Gianna tells me and my mom nods in agreement. I think she’s crying.
“Do a spin, Mija.” My mother chokes out.
I smile at her weakly but respect her request. I twirl around slowly and stop when I’ve completed a full turn. The dress really does feel nice on my skin, but the idea of walking down an aisle with all eyes on me is tainting the goodness of it.
“Can I get out of it now? I don’t trust myself not to ruin it.” I lie, I just want to be done with it all together.
“Of course, I will have it stored properly at the venue.” The seamstress tells me.
After I’m out of my dress and the seamstress leaves with her employees, I feel so much better. It was too much, too many people. Our mothers decide to leave with them, but Arianna stays behind.
“So, what do you wanna do?” I hope she has something in mind. We still have a while until lunch.
“We could watch a movie?” She shrugs.
“Good idea.” I don’t really know what else there is to do on lockdown like this. “Vito, we’re going to watch a movie in the TV room.” I tell my guard.
He nods and stands up.
“You have to come with us, don’t you?” Arianna giggles. She’s used to this stuff.
“Yes.” He smiles tightly.
Vito follows us into the room and sits in the corner chair by the door on his phone. Arianna and I sit next to each other on the couch and relax. I give her the remote and free range. Arianna picks Letters to Juliet and I have to avoid rolling my eyes. Chick flicks are too low pace, I always prefer something high energy. We have a lot to talk about anyways.
“Is Marco in trouble?” I whisper as the movie starts.
“No, surprisingly.” Arianna shrugs. “I still can’t believe you two snuck off.”
“So…” I smile deviously. “What happened with you and Gio after my bachelorette party?” I smirk at her.
She’s implied she got in trouble that night, but hasn’t spilled her guts yet.
“Oh god.” She grumbles. “Don’t mention it.”
“So, something did happen?” I raise an eyebrow at her.
Arianna hides her face in her hands. “I kissed him.” She murmurs.
“You did what?” I gasp.
“I’m so embarrassed.” She admits, looking back up at me. “I just couldn’t stop myself, I mean, have you seen him?” She huffs. “He pulled away so fast and he looked like I hurt him.”
“Probably not in the way you think.” I shrug.
“What do you mean?”
“He can’t have you, and he knows it. Or he thinks he can’t, I don’t know.” I admit. “I don’t think you should be embarrassed though. I have definitely seen him.” I bite my lip.
She doesn’t notice.
“I just wish he would have given in. I wasn’t even that drunk anymore, just bold. We’ve had this weird tension for like two years now, it’s driving me crazy.” She sighs.
“He’s stubborn, all of these men are.” I grumble.
“Trust me, I know.” She groans and nods in agreement.
The movie ends and Arianna has little tears falling out of her eyes. Sappy.
“Lunch is ready.” Vito informs us and stands up putting his phone in his pocket.
“Oh yay!” Arianna wipes away her tears and jumps up.
I follow her as she races out of the room into the kitchen. Vito follows behind me. Lorenzo and Gio are in the kitchen when I walk in. Arianna’s happy little pace slo
ws down as she sees them.
“Hi.” I smile at Lorenzo, trying to keep the peace.
“Hi.” He smiles tightly back at me.
The island counter is full of food. Different pasta dishes, some fish, grilled chicken and vegetables. Gio is already eating, Lorenzo’s plate is full but he hasn’t touched it yet. He looks so good and I’m no longer hungry for food.
He is the only thing that can satisfy the void in me.
Arianna starts to make herself a plate but I can only stand there, watching him.
“Eat, Katherine.” Lorenzo points to the chair next to him.
Arianna and Gio both watch me, Vito leaves the room.
“Can I talk to you first?” I hold my fingers together awkwardly. “Alone.” I clarify.
Lorenzo stands up without a verbal reply. I turn around and make my way back down the hall and into the TV room.
“What is it?” Lorenzo sounds impatient as he shuts the door behind him.
“I’m not hungry for any of that.” I start to pull down my dress zipper slowly. I blush and watch him, watching me.
Lorenzo reaches behind him and locks the door, keeping his eyes on me.
“What are you hungry for, love?” Lorenzo asks me.
My dress falls to my feet, revealing my braless body. Lorenzo stalks me, walking closer, watching my chest rise and fall with every breath. He stands behind me and waits for my response.
“Release.” I whisper.
“Beg for it, love.” His lips hover above my bare neck, warming it with his breath.
“Please.” I rasp, feeling the tension growing between us. “I need you to fuck me.”
Lorenzo pulls my head to the side further and buries his mouth into my neck in response. I can’t contain my reaction when his tongue slides across my skin. Chills run down my spine and I moan. I need him so badly, right now.
His free hand gropes my breast hard enough to make me whimper.
“Such a sensitive little demon.” Lorenzo groans into my neck.