Chapter 66 ~ The announcement

Chapter 66 ~ The announcement
ADRIAN 

As I sat with Luca on the way back to pick up Ella, my mind was miles away. This was the kind of shit even I struggled to handle. It was getting too hard, and as I gripped the steering wheel, my knuckles turned white.

“Man, are you okay? You look like you’re about to rip that steering wheel off,” he said jokingly. But when I didn’t even curse at him, his expression shifted to concern.

“What’s going on, Adrian?” he asked, his voice laced with worry.

Well, I thought, ‘I just found out my mother screwed your father and had me. I don’t know who Ella’s father is or if he’s still alive and if he is, whether he promised her to some other fucker. News is spreading faster than I can contain it, meaning my enemies are multiplying. And until I get my hands on that fucking ledger, I can’t keep her safe.’

How was I supposed to say any of that and still trust he’d stand by me? I trusted Luca, but breaking his mother’s heart would be a dealbreaker even for him. And because I was a selfish son of a bitch, I didn’t tell him the whole truth. Instead, I gave him the clean version.

“I’m just worried about the ledger,” I said. “Everyone’s already messed up in our world, but as much as we’re all loyal to the Cosa Nostra, not knowing where we stand makes me angry.”

It was half the truth. But it was a start.

“I’ve been itching to blow someone’s brains out since I got stuck babysitting,” he muttered, and I actually laughed.

Sometimes Luca acted like a damn child which was ironic, considering he was the most ruthless enforcer I knew.

“You can go ahead and do it,” I warned, “but just know you’ll have to deal with an actual child afterward.”

He groaned in irritation.

“What’s Ella doing at Sofi’s place anyway?” he asked, laughing at my decision to leave my future wife with a woman like her.

“Viktor’s warning came in fast. That was the safest place I could think of,” I replied as I killed the engine and stepped out of the car.

I walked to the door and pushed it open, stepping inside. She was sitting at the table, looking awkward as she picked at what I assumed was breakfast. 

Just the sight of her drove me insane, and in that moment, I realized my feelings for her were as real as my heartbeat.

Without thinking, I leaned down and kissed her.

“We’re going back home,” I whispered, my lips only inches from hers.

“Home?” she frowned, her lips forming a pout.

Beautiful.

I nodded slightly before responding. “There’s an engagement announcement tonight. We can’t miss it.”

“But I thought we are…” she stuttered, and I placed a finger gently on her lips.

“We are. But the world doesn’t know it yet. So we need to let them know.”

I left out the part where this would be good for business especially once we were married. 

Everyone was fighting me right now, but if I could win this, it would mean they’d all want to be on my good side. Still, no matter how much logic I applied, I couldn’t shake off the feeling that this whole deal was rotting me from the inside out.

But it was too late to back down now.

“Is it safe?” Her soft, soothing voice pulled me back to reality, and I managed a faint smile.

“There’s no such thing as safety anymore,” I said honestly. Her lashes fluttered as her eyes blinked several times, processing that truth.

But I will protect you with my life.

A promise I didn’t say out loud.

“For now, just trust me,” was all I managed to say.

Ella gave a small nod, clearly sensing the weight of everything I wasn’t saying. She stood up quietly, brushing invisible wrinkles from her clothes.

Just as we reached the hallway, Sophia appeared, leaning against the arch with a wine glass in one hand and that smug little smile playing on her lips.

To other men, Sophia was easy on the eyes and quite a catch. But for me, I found her very dangerous and someone I would never look twice at.

Judging by her eyes, she looked like she still believed she had some kind of claim on me.

“Leaving already?” she asked, her voice trying to sound seductive not knowing it was coming out like a spoon grazing glass. A sound that was utterly annoying.

“I was starting to prepare lunch.”

I didn’t bother replying and held Ella's hand.

Sophia, who happened to be calling death by the name ignored my silent warning and boldly took a few slow steps forward, 

“You didn’t even say goodbye, Adrian. After everything… I’d think I deserve at least a proper sendoff.”

Ella looked up at me, confused, but I didn’t look at her as I kept my eyes on Sophia.

“Don’t flatter yourself,” I said coldly. “You did the bare minimum. I’m not handing out medals for tolerating my woman.”

Sophia’s expression faltered for half a second, but she caught herself and tilted her head with a coy smile. “Is that what she is? Your woman?”

“Didn't you hear me say we were about to announce our engagement?”

I took Ella’s hand and pulled her just slightly behind me, my voice dropping an octave. “She’s about to be my wife. And the next time you think about questioning that, remember whose name is still feared around here. You hosted her under my order. Don’t mistake obedience for importance.”

I felt my precious jewel freeze in my hold but I ignored her.

Being the angel she was, she turned with a smile and whispered, “Thank you,” 

As we walked to the car, Ella tugged on my arm. “You didn’t have to be so rude,” she said softly.

“She knew exactly what she was doing,” I replied, opening the car door for her.

“But still… we just showed up here and should have shown more gratitude.”

“Aren't you a saint?” I questioned as I closed the door before she could respond, then circled around and got into the back seat next to her. 

“Hi Ella. You're good?” 

“I am. You didn't miss me much did you?” Ella teased with a smile that should be reserved only for me.

I felt my blood heat instantly.

My jaw tightened and my fingers curled into a fist as I watched Luca still smiling like a damn idiot.

“Stop googling my fiancée,” I snapped, “and fucking drive.”