I hadn’t seen him in over a month, and the first time we were in the same room since, was when he showed at my family’s mansion in Long Island an hour ago. He came over with flowers and wine for the lunch we were going to have and handed them to my mom, who seemed a little too happy for me when I told her about what Matteo and I were doing for the next year.
She’d always been close the Trevor’s parents, the Sus, who’d also raised Zach, Matteo’s younger brother – the details unclear to me. But she’d always loved Zach, and I guess by default his family. I knew my parents had known the Di’Ablos before they passed, though I hadn’t known how much.
“Whatever Francesca decides, I am good with.” Matteo replied, his gaze burning into the side of my face.
I bit down hard on my cheek.
Now, we were sitting next to each other, our previous roles entirely switched.
Him, cool, calm, and collected.
Me, my heart beating out of my chest, and my eyes darting from time to time to the bulge in his trousers, knowing I’d ruined a pair just like that less than a month ago.
I frowned.Did he still have my panties? No. The asshole probably threw them in the trash as soon as I left. I knew I should’ve taken them. They were Limited Edition Victoria’s Secret.
“That’s nice.” My dad raised a brow. “Right, Francesca?”
I smiled at father, though made no effort to acknowledge my groom. We had yet to say a word to each other.
Nice.
Nice.
The damned word burned in my chest.
That was all anybody seemed to say and think of him.
News broke out last week that I was engaged to Matteo Di’Ablo. He’d gotten down on one knee, and I’d said yes with happy,happytears in my eyes.
Even now, a week later, I couldn’t stop my eyes from rolling.
All week, people stopped me just to congratulate me and wish us, the enamored couple, nothing but happiness. Some even went on small rants about how happy they were for me, to end up with such a nice guy like Matteo Di’Ablo after years of being single.
I, on the other hand, wanted nothing more than to violently murder my groom and everyone who basically called me a bitch through a twisted round of backhanded compliments.
“I know you have already threatened the poor guy,” My father tried easing me into the situation a few days ago. “But I wanted you to know I spoke to him myself as well. I’ve known him for a long time.Niceguy. I used to know his parents for a very long time before they passed. I want you to know you will be safe with Matteo.”
Even our driver and maid stopped me to say they were happy to finally see me in love.
“I know this isn’t ideal, but Matteo is a realniceguy,” Tony said to me while we watched the newest action movie last night. “Give him a chance.”
“Isn’t henice, Francesca?” My mother had whispered with a smile as she walked into the kitchen earlier today, carrying the two bouquets of Carnations Matteo had brought. I refused to welcome him at the door and instead chose to hide until it was absolutely necessary to talk to him. “So sweet of him to bring you flowers. I can’t believe you didn’t come say hi. You’ll have people think us animals.”
“You’ll be fine,” Gìo tried comforting me in a low voice just before we entered the dark office an hour ago. “Matteo’s aniceguy. You two will get along just fine.”
If I heard the word one more time, I was going to pull a trigger.
Though, my chest tightened for a different reason.
I didn’t want my wedding to be fake. I didn’t want to do the dress and venue and flowers like this… Knowing it was going to end by the end of the year. Knowing my celebration of love and vow in the church would be nothing more thanjust business.
“Let’s just do it at the courthouse.”
“What?” Gìo turned to me like I was crazy.
“We can go and get it all done today since the contracts are already drawn. And we don’t even have to invite anyone, so that saves us the time.”
“No one will believethe Francesca DeMone, spoiled princess of the Cosa Nostra, got married like that.”
