My stomach is turning over terribly and I feel like I'm going to throw up. I'm more than just nervous, I'm terrified. Whomever this guy is, he isn't going to make a scene in front of my brother, he's going to suck up to him, make him think the best of him. He'll smile at me, tell me how beautiful I am, as all men do when they want my brother to like them.
But what if he turns out to be a monster?
What if after the shame wedding he turns on me?
On my baby?
There's no point thinking about it. Once he's my husband, there will be nothing I can do about it. I'm Italian, and my family is very old-school and traditional. Once I'm married, I will have to stay married, even to a monster. Because much like the life my brother leads, once you're in, there's no way out.
“They're ready for you.” Jesus, hasn't he heard of knocking? I could've been doing anything in here, I could've been naked!
This house is fitted with every kind of surveillance, alarms, digital locking systems you can think of, but I know there are no cameras in my room, my brother would never allow anyone to see me in my bedroom, it's private. At least I have that to thank him for. That's why I hide in here all the time; no one can see me while I'm in here. However, that means there's no system in place in my room where I can see who's on the outside of my door, either.
Still, he could have knocked!
I follow Tony out of my room and down the large staircase. My heart is pounding hard and loud in both my chest and ears. I smooth down my dress, my hands sliding over my slightly swollen stomach, and I take a deep breath. I don't look pregnant yet, which is strange to me. I'm fifteen weeks, and I'm not showing the way I thought I would, the way Avery did when she was pregnant.
“It'll be all right, Maria.”
“How can you say that, Tony? He's forcing me to marry a man I don't even know just to save face. He got past it with Avery, why am I so different?”
“Because you're his sister, not his cousin. You have to do what's right for the family, Maria, no matter what it takes.”
“What about what's right for my baby?”
“I know this is hurting you, but that's not Draven's intention.”
“Why couldn't he have just given me to you, I could have handled this a little better if he had.” Not that I want to marry Tony, but I know him, he loves me, he'd take care of me. He'd even allow Jett to have contact with the baby, because Tony is a nice guy like that, and there would have been nothing Draven could have done about it. It would be down to my husband what he allowed me to do.
However, Draven didn't choose Tony; he decided a damn stranger would do. A man I know nothing about!
“It doesn't work that way, beautiful.”
“I know.” I sigh because I do know that. It's just so damn unfair. “Is he really going to make me do this?” I don't want to cry, so I push the tears back.
Tony nods his head sympathetically. He opens the dining room door and motions for me to step through. I do, even though all I want to do is turn and run and keep on running. Running all the way to Jett and have him take me away from this place.
Not that we'd get far before Draven caught us, but it doesn't stop me wishing.
“There she is.” The big smile on my brother's face makes me want to slap him. If I had the energy right now, I would, and I'd find so much satisfaction in it. Draven hugs me, but I make no effort to hug him in return. He kisses my forehead and steps back, acting as if he didn't notice how rigid I was. “Maria, I'd like you to meet Jovanni. Jovanni, Maria.”
Jovanni?
My brother cannot be serious?
Jovanni Addario?
“We've met,” I say nonchalantly. Of all the jerks in the world my brother could've chosen to be my husband, he picks this asshole.
Jovanni Addario works for my brother, but we don't see each other at all if I can help it. The only time we spoke, he was vile to me. He hit on me, and I told him to drop dead. He then told me I was nothing but a cheap whore who'd one day get what's coming to her. Now, take in mind that I was fifteen at the time, he was nineteen.
I said nothing in response, I just walked away from him. I didn't tell my brother what he'd said to me. I didn't even tell him that we'd spoken. I should have, I wouldn't be in this situation with him if I had, probably because Jovanni would be dead. Men have died for less, believe me.
It might sound strange that my brother thought we were strangers, but many men work for my brother whom I haven't met before. They know me, but I don't know them. My brother very rarely involves me in the family business.
Jovanni takes my hand in his, a smirk on his face, he kisses the back of my hand. I visibly cringe, and it doesn't go unnoticed by my brother, who scrunches his brow slightly. Of course, he's watching, observing us both to find a connection. He won't find one. The only thing I feel for this man is disgust.
“It's nice to see you again, Maria.”
I snatch my hand away and clasp both together. I can't even imagine spending the rest of my life with this man. I'd rather die. I'll give my child to its father and kill myself before I ever waste my life with this pig.
We all take a seat. Draven and Jovanni drink Scotch and talk plans for the wedding. I do the good girl thing and keep my mouth shut while they talk. It's not like I can hear or even take in half of what they're saying right now. Not when the only thing I can think about is Jett and how he must be feeling. It's not like they want my input anyway. Why would they involve me in my own wedding?
Dinner is a simple panzenella, with the usual tomatoes, Tuscan bread, black olives, and salad. God, do they think I need to lose weight? I'm pregnant for God's sake; I want greasy food, burgers and fries, pizza, and chocolate! Not that I eat that kind of thing usually, but I so want it right now, and I don't eat to please anyone but myself. If I want to eat junk food, then I will.
They keep talking, and I keep my mouth shut.
That stupid asshole is so smug. He must think the Don believes him to be invaluable right now. How many men can brag that the Don came to them personally and asked them to take on a task such as marrying his sister and taking on a child that isn't theirs? How much is my brother paying him for this? And what rank with he move this idiot up to?
Because no doubt my husband will be high ranking within the Famiglia thanks to his commitment.
I'd rather see this pig where he belongs, in the sewer with the rest of the rats.
“I'm thinking the end of the week. I mean, why wait?”
“Indeed.” My brother careful places his wine glass next to his plate on this his grand dining table made of oak. I used to be scared to even sit at this table because of how beautiful and expensive it is. My brother doesn't live in a mansion or anything, but he does have a beautiful home. He'd make someone a good husband one day. Although he says, he'll never go there again after last time.
Yeah, my brother was married once. Elena was nice enough, tall, dark hair, really pretty. Their marriage didn't last long. My uncle arranged it, said it was needed for the family. My brother did his duty, and then when he took over the family business, he divorced her. I've never seen her since. I'm glad because she didn't like the fact my brother was raising me. She didn't want to help with that. I was his number one; she learned that very quickly.
“I mean, it's not like she can really wait much longer. I mean no disrespect, of course, Don Vidal, but she'll be showing soon. I'm surprised she isn't already, to be honest, and we don't want people talking out of turn.”
“Yet that's exactly what you're doing, disrespecting both my sister and me.” My brother is so cool and calm, yet he means business. Never underestimate my brother, he may be sitting back in his seat looking calm, but he'll pop a cap in your skull quicker than you can blink. Quick fingers, fast hands, that's my brother.
“I apologize, Don Vidal.” Jovanni bows slightly his apology. I snigger inwardly. Coward.
“I will be handing my sister over to a man who respects her completely, or he'll los
e his head! And I do mean literally.”
I bite my lower lip to stifle the chuckle trying to escape me. If I laugh, that will be disrespectful also, and Jovanni won't be the only one in trouble.
“I understand, Don Vidal. Please forgive my insolence. Maria, I apologize for speaking out of turn.” I nod without looking at him. I don't want to look at him. I will never look at him.
I can sense his thoughts. He wants me to look at him, to look him in the eye. He wants to own me before we're even married. He will never own me. I will never obey him. He will never have my body or mind. I am my own person, and I will remain so.
They keep talking, and my head is spinning. I wish I were brave enough to go against my brother, just tell him that I'll never marry this man. He can't force me to say, “I do,” but he can cut me off, and that means anything could happen to my baby and me. I'll have no protection, and people could kidnap me because of who my brother is, they'll kill me just to get to him.
However, then, I'll be with Jett, and he'll protect the baby and me. He won't let anything happen to us. I'll be with Sam, the brother that hates me. The brother I know would drag me back to Draven, and then they'd both force me into this marriage, or worse, an abortion, and Jett would be killed to teach me a lesson. Then I'll have nothing at all. So do I really have any way out?
“Maria?” I look at my brother. I hadn't realized I was staring at my food, the food I've hardly touched. I don't have much of an appetite lately. “Is there anything you'd like to say?”
I shake my head. There's nothing I want to say right now. Other than, go fuck yourself, I'm not marrying this pig, and I don't care what you do. However, I don't say any such a thing. “If I'm no longer needed, could I go outside for some air? I'm feeling a little hot.”
“Are you all right?” Draven eyebrows knit together slightly.
“Fine. Just need some air.”
“Go.” I thank him and leave the room without a word to Jovanni. I need to get out of here for a few minutes. I need to try and clear my head.
However, even in this vast garden filled with flowers and garden furniture, garden ornaments, and water features, I can't find anything bright in my world.
I slump down on the stone bench next to the rose bushes and sigh. “I wish you were here, Mama,” I say to the sky. I do wish she was here. She died when I was twelve, of a heart attack. She was so young, too young to die like that, not even forty-two years old.
My mother was beautiful, classically so. She reminded me of a dark haired Jayne Mansfield. She was always impeccably dressed, and she never left the house unless her hair was styled beautifully, her body was always waxed to perfection. I never saw her without makeup or a smile on her face. How my father managed to get her to fall for him once was beyond me, let alone twice. My father was handsome in his own right, but he was no George Clooney. Plus, he was so very mean to her all the time. She could have done so much better.
We were close, my mother and me. I loved spending time with her, loved the makeup and fashion lessons she gave me. She taught me so much about being a perfect young lady, one my brother and father could be proud of. I can't help but wonder if she's ashamed of me up there, because I know she's in heaven, she was too good to go anywhere else.
I close my now wet eyes and let the tears fall, and the sobs escape me. I miss my mother so much that I can't cope without her. I need her here to tell me how to get through this. This whole mess is my fault, and I will do what's expected of me, but my brain is fried, and I can't hold myself up as much as I try.
I hear a rustling near the wall that leads to the outer grounds. It's not an overly high wall, maybe eight-foot, but there are always guards stationed outside of it. It must be one of them.
However, the noise is getting louder. My heart is beating a little faster. I should go inside and tell Draven in case there's an intruder, but I can't seem to force my feet to move. Why can't I move? I can't even get any noise to come out of my mouth!
I hear an oof sound as someone falls to the ground. They jumped over the wall! I wish it were lighter so I could see who it was. Even though I'm scared right now, I'm wondering if maybe whomever, it is will kidnap me and take me the hell away from here.
What the hell am I thinking? I do not want to be kidnapped, no matter how much my life might suck right now!
Oh, God, he's coming closer!
I turn to run, but arms encircle my waist, lifting me off the ground. I try to scream, but a hand slams over my mouth. I'm so scared. I should've run when I first heard the nose. I know not to linger when I sense danger. Always trust your instincts, your gut feeling. Why the hell didn't I run?
I scream behind his hand while struggling to get away from him. I don't want him to hurt my baby; I just want to go inside to my brother where I'm safe.
Oh shit, my heart is racing in fear.
Please let me get out of this in one piece. Please don't let this man hurt my baby and me. I'll do what Draven wants me to do, and I won't complain ever again. I promise.
“Shh, baby. Calm down it's me. It's Jett.” Jett? I instantly calm and go slack in his arms. I can smell him all of a sudden, that woodsy, manly scent that had me falling for him in the first place.
“I'm not here to hurt you. I just want to talk. Okay?” I nod my head, and he removes his hand from my mouth.
I turn to face him, and it's really him, Jett. The father of my baby, the man I've been dreaming about all these weeks.
He strokes my face with his big hand, and it feels so good to have him touch me. “You can't be here, Jett. Draven will kill you.”
“I don't care about Draven, Maria. All I care about it making sure you're okay.”
As sweet as that is, I'm scared something bad is about to happen. “I'm fine.” I look behind myself for a second to make sure no one is coming before looking back to Jett. “You have to go it's not safe here.”
“You've lost weight,” Both his hands come around my face, caressing my cheeks with his thumbs. He's not even listening to me. “I know this is hard on you, but you have to take care of yourself, princess.”
“I'm trying. It's not easy, though. I had to meet my future husband this evening, and I hate him already.”
“He's not going to be your husband, Maria. Trust me. I'm not going to let it happen.”
“You can't stop this.” A tear falls from my eye. When he's close to me like this, I can't think straight. He clouds my mind much like he did the night we slept together. “I'm getting married next week. Oh, Jett!” I wail.
He grabs me and pulls me into his strong arms, and I melt into him, nuzzling his big chest. If only I could hold onto him and never let go. “I don't want you to worry about anything, princess. I'm going to fix everything.” He strokes my hair softly, and it's soothing, so much so, my eyes are getting heavy.
“I wish I could be with you tonight.” Damn, where the hell did that come from?
“Is there no way you could sneak out?” I shake my head. There's no way on earth I could do that. “I best go. I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”
“Okay,” I say with little effort. “Will I see you again?”
“Have no fear, baby, you'll see me again.” I nod while forcing myself away from his big body. “Try not to worry.” He winks at me, and I can't help but smile, and then I moan the second his lips hit mine. I didn't expect it, but I won't deny it.
Sliding my hands around his neck and into his hair, I pull him closer to me. His hands slide around my body, over my ass and back up over my spine. I'm groaning into his mouth, shamelessly rocking my hips against the monster erection through his jeans, and I feel the same fire I felt within me as the night he first took me. Oh god, I want him so badly.
He pulls away from the kiss but rests his forehead against mine, one hand on my stomach, and I smile. This is what it's supposed to feel like, natural. I know he's not in love with me, but he wants to be there for me, to marry me, to take care of our child. I know I could be ha
ppy with him. I could fall in love with him and be happy for the rest of my life.
Of course, there's the worry that he might cheat and find pleasure with other women, but I'd be so good to him that he wouldn't need other women. I could love him so well he'd be falling in love with me faster than the breeze blows through the trees in a storm.
“See you soon, beautiful.”
“See you soon,” I fold my arms around myself and watch him scale the wall like a profession ninja, his huge size not making it difficult for him to move quickly. I giggle to myself because he holds himself on top of the wall for a second and winks at me before dropping to the ground below.
“Maria!”
I'm coming, big brother.
Chapter Eight
Jett
I chuckle all the way back to the clubhouse. I have no fucking clue how I got over that wall without being caught, but I had to see her. It'd been three goddamn weeks. I was going crazy, and after what Avery told me the other day about Maria admitting she wanted to be with me, how she sobbed in her arms, well, I can't give up yet.
I didn't even think about what I'd do if Vidal's men caught me jumping over that wall, all I thought about was getting over the wall and then the conservatory to reach her bedroom window. I was going to sneak in and wait for her. If she was already there, I was going to hold her and tell her not to give up hope, that very soon things will be okay. However, she wasn't in her room she was standing there staring into the darkness, scared because she couldn't see who was coming towards her.
She melted into me when I held her close. Moaned into my mouth when I kissed her. Won't lie, my fucking cock was rock hard just being near her and breathing the same damn air. She smelt so good, felt so good in my arms.
I promised her everything would be okay. However, the truth is, I have no idea if things will ever be okay. As far as I know, Draven is adamant that Maria is going to marry one of his men to save her honor or some bullshit like that. His honor more like. Of course, I've spoken to Hammer a couple of times to see if he can talk some sense into Draven. Because let's face it, this is total fuckin' madness!
Never Give You Up (Snakes Henchmen Book 3) Page 6