Chapter 49

Lucky

Mia has left, she was only allowed to be with me for a couple of hours. God, I hate him controlling everything I do like this. Okay, so I get it, totally I do. He needs to keep us safe, it’s not like my own father didn’t allow me to go out at times, especially when there was blood on the streets. But that feels different to now.

I was a kid, a young girl growing up and he was my father. Being told what I can and can’t do by Nico is driving me insane.

“Lucky, your parents will be here soon. Do you want to get changed?” I am taken by surprise as Nico’s voice is soft almost caressing, as he enters the library and what a library. It’s evident this man has a healthy passion for books if this and the one at the island are anything to go by.

“What, sorry? I was miles away.” I’ve decided that maybe changing track may help. What if I try to play nice and soften around the edges. This is exhausting enough as it is without us warring with each other. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not going to lay down and roll over like a good bitch, but for a few hours or even maybe the rest of the day, I could, I suppose play the nice fiancé.

“Your parents, they are on their way.” He stands at the doorway leaning against the frame, his ankles crossed, one arm popped up on the frame. His ropey veins pop on his forearms, I see his tatt of a creeping vine and want to take an even closer look. With his white button down slightly open at the top and his unruly hair flopping in his face, it’s all I can do to stop myself from moving towards him and threading my fingers through his hair.

Attraction is the fucking weirdest thing. You can literally hate someone but want to fuck them. How does that even work? Maybe Nico has a book on this subject in this extensive library. “Thanks for letting me know, I’ll go and freshen up. Are they staying here in the main house?” Only, I’m wondering just how well that will go down with his own parents.

It's no secret, Gianluca’s and Santangelo’s do not mix well. It is only the impending marriage that will now bind us, I know neither family is happy about this.

My mother is distraught. You can imagine, right? What she wants for her daughter is a marriage of love, happiness, respect and caring. Not an arranged mafia marriage to a dangerous Don. On top of that knowing that if I was to run, my father’s life is in the balance.

“I’ll be down in thirty minutes.”

“Your parents will be staying in the guest house on the grounds, I don’t think it’s a good idea for us all to be under the one roof. We will all only be present when we have the wedding and other events that mean we need them to be together. Your father knows this, he is compliant.”

“Naturally, he has no fucking choice does he Nico.” I glare at him. He says nothing. My eyes are taken to his tongue as he runs it along his lower lip. Fuck, I hate myself for being drawn in by him. It’s a subtle thing to do but it fires up my body.

Nico moves towards me, he raises my chin with his forefinger, the thumb caressing my jaw line. His touch is soft, like silk being draped over your skin. I find myself leaning into him. I can smell his masculine scent; it is musky and a hint of lemon. I inhale.

He leans into me with his face, I feel a rush hit through my body. Jeez-us I hate myself even more for responding. His breath is on my cheek. “Did you hire the shooter, Princess?”

It brings me to my senses at an alarming rate. “What are you fucking talking about?” I push him away with a strength I didn’t know I had. Only he doesn’t budge. The man is a powerhouse. “I asked you, if you hired the shooter. I wouldn’t put it past my little Princess to try and have me killed.”

“Why would I do that, if you were killed then my father would be too?  He is now under your protection isn’t he. You own him practically since we are engaged to be married. That is right, isn’t it? You promised.”

He says nothing for a few seconds. My heart rate is high, I can feel the pressure in my ears.

“That is correct, Lucky. I did promise you and I am a man of my word. I will not go back on that. Your whole family is at risk, but they have extra protection. We have four cars around them on the journey over and I have eyes in the sky on them.”

“Then why would I hire a shooter? Have you lost your mind? In case you missed it, I was standing right next to you. If anything, the shooter was aiming for me. I am the target not you.” I am angry as I hiss at him. The indignation of this man, is her seriously for real?

He grabs my wrist and brings it to his mouth and kisses the inner side. His lips grazing my flesh send shivers up and down my spine. His mouth lingers, his piercing blue eyes not leaving mine, it’s too much the way he is looking at me. Intense heat burns through my core. I am so close, so damn fucking close to giving into him.

“I would never allow anyone to hurt you Lucky, and not that I give a fuck about your parents, but they are your parents and I do not want to see my Princess hurt. Not ever. This is why you must stay here in protection, where I can keep an eye on you and my men can keep you safe. Do you understand?”

I stammer but manage to nod my head, his lips are causing havoc with my body. “Tell me,” his voice is deep and growly. I nod again.

“Yes, I understand.”

He drops my wrist as if it were burning his lips and turns his back on me. Damn him, I am sick of him leaving me like this. He is the master of slow burn arousal, and I am sick of feeling the heat for him. My breathing is heavy. This man is intense in every sense of the world. I’ve never come across a man who can surrender me to feeling such as these.

“Where are you going?” I ask, why do I care. But suddenly I feel lost and empty without him right in front of me in my face.

He turns giving me a cocky grin. “None of your business. I have matters to handle. Go to your room and get yourself sorted for your parent’s arrival. We are having a lunch in the master dining room.” He strides off as I continue to look at his broad back and his tight ass.

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“Mamma, Pappa, oh my God it’s so good to see you.” My dad brings me in for a big hug, he holds on tightly.

“Are you okay, Lucky? Let me see you.” He stands back his arms outstretched as he takes me in to make sure that I am okay.

“I’m fine, Pappa. Honestly, nothing to worry about.”

“Is he treating your right?”

Well, what can I say? He hasn’t been an ogre; he hasn’t taken me against my will. “He has been respectful. We keep to ourselves.”

“This is no way for a relationship, you deserve more, daughter.” He tells me, his voice soft.

“I know but it is what it is. Mafia Princesses do not marry for love, Pappa you know that. It is the life you chose many years ago.” I don’t mean to lay blame, that’s not what I am trying to do, yet it has caused a sadness in his eyes.

My mother steps towards me and holds me, tears in her eyes. “We have missed you, Lucky. It tears my heart apart. And hearing about the shooting. You must be careful. You must do what Nico says.” She pauses then cocks her head, “you look like you have lost weight, that is not good. Are you eating properly?”

“How can I not, he has his chefs making the most wonderful dishes. I do eat, Mamma. It’s the stress and the wedding.”

“Tell me all about it. How are the arrangements coming along.” I move my parents to the long sofa that is opposite a matching one in the large space, it’s the main room of the downstairs. Apparently only for formal occasions. I didn’t realize meeting my parents again was considered a formal occasion.

“It’s not going, since we haven’t set a defined date and I do not plan on some virginal gown.” My mother raises her eyebrows.

“Lucky do not upset Nico. You know he has the upper hand.”

“He thinks he does, Mamma. I have my own plans.”

“Don’t do anything stupid, Lucky please. My heart couldn’t take it if something happened to you. Please be good.”

I hug her, “of course.” Another white lie, I’m getting good at these. I refrain from telling my parents that Nico even questioned me on the shooter.

“Pappa, did you organize for the shooter?” He looks alarmed, his eyes open wide.

“What are you talking about, why would I put my own daughter’s life in the balance?” Why indeed, to save himself. Don’t get me wrong I know my life is precious to my father, but his own life is precious to him too.

It’s becoming difficult to trust anyone in this web that is being spun.