Chapter 26 Rendezvous
SANCIA
“Please,” I beg, voice shaky; tears slid down my cheeks as I waited for her to expose me. I mean, who would go against the mafia in their right mind? She glanced back and hurriedly dragged me along with her.
“Please, let me go. Pretend you didn't see me,” I pleaded. My stomach was in a knot with nerves. Sweat slid down my spine with trepidation. If Mama found out and told Papa, that would be the end for me; I would never see the sun again until the wedding day.
“To the back, get lost. If you get caught, I never saw you,” she said, pushing me through a back door and outside in an alley.
“You're letting me…” The door slammed shut in my face. I blinked; I didn't know what to think of the woman. But I will never forget her help. I hurried out of the alley, careful not to look behind me where I knew the three men who were guarding us were.
I make sure I walk a little far away from their vicinity before I stop an Uber. Only when I was sitting inside the car did I finally breathe freely. I grab Tina's phone so I can call Antonio.
I don't even want to imagine the kind of trouble my poor cousin is in right now. I won't even think about myself because I know Papa would probably kill me when he finds out.
Me: Antonio, I'm on my way.
Antonio: Fuck, Sancia, I thought you couldn't make it; where are you, baby? Antonio sounded worried
Me: I'm in an Uber. I will call you when I'm close to your hotel.
Antonio: Okay, I can't wait to see you, Sancia. I've missed you so fucking much.
Me: Me too, Antonio, talk to you later.
One look was all it took for me to recognize the tall man standing under a tree, his hat covering half his face. I got out of the Uber after I paid the driver his due.
I take a couple of steps away from the curb and find myself airborne; Antonio has swept me into his arms; I laugh as I cling to him, hugging him back and inhaling his familiar scent.
“Mi manchi così tanto che mi sento morire dal...”(I miss you so much I feel like I'm dying). Antonio groans, hugging me tightly.
“I miss you too. You don't know how scared I was; I thought I would never get to see you again,” I whispered, my hands wrapped around his neck.
He pulled back and grinned at me, his blue eyes glowing with happiness; I grinned back and watched as he slowly leaned in and brushed his lips lightly against mine. I tried to deepen the kiss, but that's when he pulled back.
I wasn't angry or disappointed. Antonio has always been very respectful of the boundaries; if he were anyone, he would have taken advantage of the fact that I'm willing.
But he never pushes for anything more than a kiss. I allowed myself to get down; He picked up his hat and Tina's handbag before placing his hand on the small of my back.
“Come on, let's go inside,” he said, his eyes. Glancing around inconspicuously. It made me glance around, too, but Antonio led me into the lobby of his hotel, which distracted me, and anxiety was a tight knot in the pit of my stomach.
“Watch out, there are cameras; place your head on my chest,” he said, his voice low. Hugging me closer. He tried as much as he could to shield me from the CCTV; I clung to him and didn't let go, even through the elevator ride until we were safely inside his room.
“Would you like water or wine? Have you had lunch?” He asked, rubbing his neck. His blond hair was tousled, and now that I looked closely, he looked like he hadn't slept in days. My heart aches for him, aches for both of us.
“I'm good. I can't eat,” I glance around the room, curious and nervous as hell. It's the first time in my life that I'm alone with a man in a hotel room. Papa would have Antonio castrated if he ever found out.
I glance back to find Antonio leaning against the wall, watching me with those lovestruck eyes. I smiled at him shyly and walked to him. He pulled me to the couch in the living area, and we both sat down.
“Tell me everything, Sancia. My father told me that Capo had broken our engagement, but there was no reasonable explanation. I can't just give you up, I've loved you for so long that…I can't lose you.”
He looks so pained that his Adam's apple bobs. I blink back tears as hope surges inside me. I was afraid he would reject my plan. Tina was the one who gave me this idea, and after what happened with Diavolo, I will do anything to make sure he doesn't get what isn't his in the first place.
But now I can see Antonio's love for me, the niggling doubts I've had on the way here are suddenly gone. Antonio doesn't want to lose me, the same way I don't want to lose him.
“And you won't. I have a plan, Antonio; if you agree with me, then Papa will have no choice but to marry us,” I said.
“I have a plan for us, too, but let's hear yours first,” he said, but I could see new hope in his eyes. My stomach cramps with worry.
“You go first, Antonio.” He nodded and grinned at me. He kissed both my hands that were in his.
“Okay.”