by S. M. Dapelo
Feddi stared at him and slowly shook his head. “No, a friend of mine who happens to be loaded did. He said it was an investment. It’s almost twenty thousand square feet, with a huge master suite I’m letting you use tonight. It’s got a wine room, bar, and the pool takes up the whole back yard and looks like someone from one of the hotels designed it.” He sat back. “I’ll replace the bed tomorrow,” he muttered to himself, frowning when Ronnie nudged him. He gave a smile, “How could I afford this? You don’t pay well.”
“I called some family friends,” Ronnie sang to Luca. “They should be here already.”
Luc glared, “Which family friends?”
“The ones you camp with,” she smiled.
“How many?” he groaned.
Her smile turned evil, “Only twenty of them.”
I blinked, “How many people do you go camping with?”
“Oh, you know…” Luc waved his hand. “I go a couple times a year with different people.” He turned to Ronnie, his eyes narrowing, “Since the pool’s so fantastic, I can’t wait to see how your swimming lessons are going.” The girl turned white.
“I’m sure she can swim,” I smiled.
“Not a bit,” sighed Feddi. “We work on it when we can.”
She looked at me, “I brought a couple suits, since I’m sure these guys didn’t give you time to pack. You can use whichever you want. But just a warning, Feddi,” she glared at Luc again. WTF? “Likes to go shopping for me at Agent Provocateur.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever heard of it,” I shrugged.
“Think of it as Victoria Secret meets Fredericks of Hollywood, with less cloth, and it cost ten times as much,” Ronnie shrugged. I turned to look at Luc, but he was glaring at Feddi. Feddi only shrugged.
“It’s ten at night, we’re not going swimming,” Marc announced. “Maybe some dinner, then some cake,” he frowned and looked at Feddi who nodded. “Then bed. We have a six a.m. flight tomorrow.”
“You two,” Luc said, pointing at the youngest of our group, “and your friends are going to give me an aneurysm.”
“Their engaged,” Marc shrugged. “Of course, they’re going to mess around.” Luc leaned to his brother and whispered something to him I couldn’t hear. Marc’s eyes went huge.
“You’re what?” he yelped, staring at Feddi.
“Don’t worry,” Feddi rolled his eyes. “I’m headed home after this. Cool your jets, old man.” Ronnie whispered something to him, and he nodded. “Sorry, boss,” he looked contrite. “I meant I have a family emergency and there’s nothing to worry about. I guess I’m showing off a bit for Ronnie.” He grimaced.
Marc’s eyes narrowed, “I’ll let it go. Luckily, it’s just us in the car.”
“I appreciate it,” he wrapped his hand in Ronnie’s as Marc looked at Luc.
“Cén aois an cailín?” Marc said. I frowned. That wasn’t Italian.
“Seacht Mbliana déag,” Ronni said. “We learned Irish when we were twelve,” she said to Marc.
“It’s in case we don’t want someone to know what we’re saying,” Feddi shrugged. “It’s considered a dead language. It was either that or Welsh, and it’s challenging to say three w’s in a row.”
“You two suck at keeping secrets,” Luc was now staring at the roof as the car came to a stop.
“We do,” Ronnie nodded. “Especially with your wife.” She turned to me, “Marc asked how old I was, and I told him.”
I turned to Marc, ignoring the door that opened, “Why?”
“Because he’s entrenched in a patriarchal society that believes women aren’t as strong as men. That’s bullshit,” she shrugged. Now Marc was pinching his nose and Luc was biting his lip, trying not to laugh.
“Welcome to my world man,” he patted Marc on the shoulder. “Every summer. Every fucking summer I get to hear feminist rantings every time she thinks I’m being overprotective.”
“You’re not?” she glared at him.
“Oh, I am,” he nodded. “But it has nothing to do with the fact you’re female. It has to do with the fact when I look at you, I see a lost little nine-year-old who needed to be protected.” He smiled at her, “You might not be my daughter biologically Ron, but you are here.” He pointed at his heart. Her bottom lip trembled, and he grabbed my hand and led me out of the car. “Works every time,” he said out of the side of his mouth to me. “Let Feddi deal with the cleanup.”
He led me up the walkway to the front door, “Now, let’s get you some cake, maybe a dance or two, and let’s get some sleep.”
“You want to sleep?” I cringed after I realized what I said.
Luc turned and smiled at me, “I’ll do whatever you want, button. Always and forever.” He took my face with both hands, “I mean anything. You want to sleep, we’ll sleep.”
I don’t know where Feddi found it, but there was a fantastic two-tier cake with sunflowers and red roses on it. The wine was amazing and by the time we went to the master bedroom, everyone was either dancing to a DJ or jumping into a pool that took up the whole backyard and included a lazy river and two waterfalls.
“Where did all these people come from?” I asked him before he opened the door. Twenty turned into a hundred easily.
“I don’t want to know. Feddi and his guys can start a party faster than anyone I’ve met,” Luc sighed. “Just go with it.”
He opened the door, and I gaped. The room could fit six bedrooms in one. The whole room was shades of cream and purple. In the center was a bed big enough to hold six. I turned to look at Luc and noticed his jaw was ticking. He kissed my cheek, “I need to make a call real fast.” He walked back into the hall and shut the door. Did he not want a wedding night? I know we were still getting to know each other, but I thought there was an attraction between us.
“Because I know what he has planned,” I heard Luc yelling from the hall. I opened the door and stared at him. He looked at me. “Just stop him,” he hissed into the phone before hanging up and smiling at me.
“What’s going on?” I asked. “Do you not want…”
“No, I want,” he interrupted. “I just needed to deal with someone else.”
I bit at my lip. “Luca, I know I’m young, but I’m not stupid. You think Feddi planned this place for Ronnie and you’re going a little… nuts.”
“Oh, I know what he has planned for Ronnie,” he growled, then took a breath. “But that’s someone else’s concern tonight. I just want to focus on us for a few days. Thank God he’s visiting his family for the next few days.” He tossed his jacked onto a chair. “Do you want a glass of wine?”
“Sure,” I smiled at him. I bit my lip as he walked out to grab us something. I tried to reach my buttons in the back but couldn’t.
“Problem?” Luc walked in and handed me a wine glass.
“No,” I said, then took a huge drink.
Luc took my hand, stroking the palm. “We don’t have to do anything, button. Today’s been stressful. Maybe we should just have a glass of wine, I’ll help you with your stuck zipper and we can sleep.”
I frowned, “You don’t want sex?”
He sighed, “I’m not going to force myself on you. We’ll make love when you’re ready.” The “L,” word threw my heart into a stutter. He leaned down and brushed his lips over mine, “We’ll take it at the pace you want.”
I looked up into his deep green eyes, “What if I don’t know what I want?”
“Then I’ll let you take the lead, and we can stop whenever you want.” He brushed a strand of hair out of my face, “Believe it or not, I’m nervous too. I don’t want to hurt you.” I swallowed, then nodded.
“Can you help with my dress?” I put the wine down and turned. I heard him put his down as well, then felt his fingers at the back of my neck, moving my hair to the side.
“Your necklace is caught,” he said as he fiddled with something. He must have gotten it free because I felt the back of the dress open slowly. Then his lips went to the back of my ne
ck and followed the openings path, causing me to shiver. They trailed back up and his hands went to my shoulders, pushing the dress down.
I stepped out of it and turned, my hands going to the buttons of Luc’s shirt. One of his hands covered mine, “Are you sure?”
I glanced up into his eyes, seeing the need in them, but also seeing the concern. “Yes,” I said breathlessly as I went up on the tips of my toes to kiss him, his hands suddenly threading through my hair as he tried to pull me closer.
A couple of hours later I laid in Luc’s arms as we tried to catch our breath. “You’re okay?” he asked kissing one of my shoulders.
“You’ve asked that a lot tonight,” I giggled at him. “I’m good. I’m better than good.”
He pulled me closer, “You’re not sorry we didn’t wait?”
“For what? For our second wedding?” I looked at him, “Hell, no.”
He threw his head back and laughed. Then he took my wrist and kissed it, “Thank God we moved we moved the wedding up. I promised your dad… I don’t think I would have lasted.”
I frowned, “What did you promise him?”
“That we wouldn’t,” he rolled his eyes, “consummate anything before the wedding.”
“Good to know.” I looked up at him, “I was okay, wasn’t I?” Luc frowned at the question. “I know I never did that before. I wasn’t boring or…”
“Button,” he shook his head before taking my mouth before leaning back to look into my eyes. “You were perfect. You are perfect.”
“Nobody’s perfect,” I smiled at him. “But I want this to work. As long as were honest with each other it should.”
He gave a slight frown, “I can’t tell you everything. Alley, I…”
“I know you can’t tell me everything about work,” I smiled at him. “I’m talking about the important things.”
He pulled me closer, resting his chin on my head, “We’re gonna make this work, button. I promise.”
16
Feddi and Ronnie said their goodbyes at the airport with two guys waiting for them next to a limo. The first was the wedding singer, the second looked like a blond surfer guy who was almost as large as Luca. Luca pointed at Ronnie with a smile, “Be good.” Then pointed at the other three with a terrifying look, “All of you be good,” he yelled, making the other two snort and Feddi roll his eyes and leaned over and kissed me on the cheek.
“Welcome to the family,” he gave an almost evil smirk. “See you in a month.”
“Shut up,” growled Luca.
“What?” I turned to look at my new husband.
Luc ran a hand over his face. “I’m just getting sick of his attitude.”
“See you later, old man,” Feddi laughed as he led Ronnie to the limo.
“Those kids are going to be the death of me,” he sighed as he led me up the stairs and into the cabin of the plane.
The ride home on the plan consisted of me sleeping more since Luca had kept me up most of the night. Before I knew it, I was being nudged awake, led off the plane and being walked down a different hall of the airport.
“Someone’s here who needs to talk to you,” Marc said as Luc frowned. They led me into a first-class waiting lounge to find mom and Elena. I hugged both of them.
“You came to meet us?” I asked. Mom shook her head.
Elena smiled at me. “I know we should celebrate as a family tonight,” Elena started, “But I got your mother an appointment with a specialist in New York. We’re heading there now and will be gone a couple of days. But” she shrugged, “he’s the best.”
“Maybe we can put it off,” Mom suggested.
“No,” I shook my head, “Don’t worry about us. It’s early, we still have a meeting to deal with. We’re having a gigantic party in under a month. Let Elena help you.” I hugged her tight. “Please, put your health first.”
Elena nodded at me in approval, kissed my cheek, and smiled. “Marriage agrees with you.”
“Baby,” Mom cooed at me, “I want you to be happy.” She looked at Luca, “I want you to be happy too. I’m hoping that this life gives you both everything you ask for.” Luca reached down and carefully hugged her. Then we waited with them until their flight was ready.
“Hopefully, this doctor can help her,” I forced a smile. Luc and Marc both gave small smiles and led me back to the black SUVs that were waiting. We ended up pulling into the back road of Dad’s compound. The more I thought about what waited, the more nervous I got. Luc tried to distract me by kissing my fingers with intense looks that made me blush.
“Cut the flirting out,” Marc gripped from the front. “Cosmo will get his guys into position. I’ll bring mine in and when we’ve built enough dramatic tension, you two will walk in while I keep a close eye on everyone’s reactions. I wish Feddi were still here. That kid is a spoiled brat, but he sees everything.” He turned to face us, “FYI, I stole all the condoms like you told me to, but the four of them had already taken off. They went into Vegas and my guys said they didn’t return until early. They were all wearing black jeans and t-shirts, so I don’t know what they got into.”
Luc groaned and pinched his nose. “I’ll check with Ethan. He has them followed.” I raised a brow at him. He just shook his head, “Don’t ask. Those four can find trouble in a convent. They’re under constant surveillance because of that.”
We parked behind the kitchen. I got out and realized at least seven more SUV’s where there. Many of Marc’s men stared at Luc with relief. “Yes, he’s alive,” Marc said. “But there’s a plan in play and I need to let everyone in on it. Into the kitchen now.” Luc led the way, holding my hand, with Marc then the others following. I walked to the main door and shut it.
Dad walked in a moment later, “Good, everyone’s here.” He turned to me, “Alley, why don’t you go to the library?”
I crossed my arms, “No. I was shot at yesterday as well. I held a woman’s hand as she died. I’m involved too.”
Dad’s face went hard, “Go to my office, now.”
“I’m not a baby. Hell, I’m married.” I jutted out my jaw, then realized what I did. Shit, I just cussed at Dad.
“Alessandra Diana Amato. If you don’t…”
“Romano,” I interrupted.
Dad frowned, “What?”
“My name is Alessandra Diana Romano as of last night,” I glared at him while I quaked inside.
One side of my father’s mouth went up, “You’re right.” He looked at Luc, “You deal with her.” Then sat in a chair and steepled his hands.
Luc looked up for a moment, then grimaced. “Alley,” he drew me away from everyone and lowered his voice, “They’re watching me. Please don’t make this difficult.”
“Aren’t I supposed to go in there with you?”
He nodded, “You are. However, in everyone’s mind you’re not involved.”
“Bullshit,” I hissed.
“I agree,” he whispered, “I need you to go along with me, so I don’t lose face. It’s hard enough as it is.”
I pouted, but gave a nod, “I don’t like feeling useless.”
“Check out Dom’s room,” he whispered to me. “You knew him better than almost anyone. You might find something we missed.”
“It’s been six months,” I scrunched up my nose.
“And your parents have left it untouched,” he tucked a piece of my hair behind my ear. “Will you please go search it while I deal with this?”
I gave a nod and went to walk out. Before I could, he grabbed my hand, stopping me. He looked back at his men. “Just so it’s not a surprise to anyone, in case you didn’t catch what Alley implied,” he told his group of men, “we’re married. She’s my wife and you will treat her with the utmost respect.”
“Her marrying Luc makes her my baby sister,” smiled Marc. “So, the same goes for my guys. She’s an important part of this family.”
“We’re all family now,” Cosmo said from his chair. “So, our plan is to find those who d
on’t agree with that statement.”
“I’ll leave you to it,” I squeezed Luc’s hand, and he leaned down and kissed my cheek. I walked out and went to Dom’s old room.
Opening the door, I could see nothing was moved. I had named Dom’s room the Oak Room, since everything was a heavy oak, including a thick trim and floor. It was a manly room, if you ignored all his Lord of the Rings posters, books, bedsheets, well you get the idea. Sometimes I wondered if my brother ever realized he was an adult. I opened the closet, noticing only about a quarter of Dom’s things were in there.
I walked over to the desk. Nothing out of the ordinary, except that there was a parking ticket to a garage in Crown Center and no computer. Dom always had at least one computer, if not several lying around his room. There were none in here at all. I meandered to the bookshelves. The computer books were out of date and his Tolkiens were missing. They were first editions that Dad got him as a graduation gift, and they cost more than the car I got when I finished high school.
I searched under the mattress, nothing. Same with under the bed. I hit the button I knew was under the lower bookshelf, causing a door to swing open in the wall. I stared at the keypad a moment, then put my birth date in. The second door opened, revealing it to be empty.
“I knew you’d find something we didn’t,” I turned to see Luc leaning against the door jamb.
“I found nothing,” I said. “It’s obvious he wasn’t living here.”
“See, you realized that. We would have eventually, but not right away, and I’m not sure we would have gotten the safe open so quick,” he sauntered in, looking into the hole in the wall. “How’d you figure the combination out?”
“Dom always used my birth date for any of his safes at home,” I shrugged.
He quirked a brow, “Seriously?”
“Yeah. None of the work ones, but his private ones,” I smiled.
“Good to know,” Luc said. “We’re going to be needed in about five minutes. You ready?”