The hurt flashes across his face as he flops beside me. I sit up to climb off the bed, but he grabs me and tugs me flush against his body. Wrapping his arms tightly around me, he pulls me in as tight as he can. He kisses my shoulder. “Just sleep, okay.”
Iblow out a breath as he adjusts his body against mine. His breath flutters across the back of my neck, his breathing steadies as I begin to relax, not knowing whether to stay or leave, but his arm turns into a dead weight, his heart rhythmically thumps against my back, and it settles me in a way I’ve never felt before. I feel instantly calmer, and a wave of contentment flashes over me, and I sigh as I drift to sleep.
I wake with sunlight streaming through the open patio door. The heat radiates against me. The solid cock is sticking into my ass, and his hot breath is puffing against my cheek. I crawl out from under his arm and rest it gently down as I creep off the bed, my eyes never moving from his. But his face, mesmerising as it is, stays relaxed. He’s so handsome like this, and I would love to stay and stare at him like some kind of weirdo. I might as well get some work done while I’m here.
I tugon my leathers and I step out of the room, clicking the door gently closed behind me. And I creep down the corridor and head straight to Massimo’s office. I make myself comfortable in his chair and spin around, kicking my boots up onto his desk and relax back and wait.
It isn’t long before I’m greeted with the angriest of faces, the literal definition of if looks could kill, as he pushes through the door. The second he sees me, he drops his coffee. The black liquid splashes up against the trouser leg of his suit, and he curses before yelling for the guards, which I clearly already got past.
“Morning, Massimo. I thought we should start on some details for the wedding, ya know, kick a few ideas around and get the ball rolling.”
“Get out!” he snarls at me, and I grin, flipping my legs down and leaning forward, resting my hands on the table and steepling my fingers.
“Now, now, Massimo. Don’t be like that. We’re going to be family real soon.”
“Over my dead body,” he spits, still frozen in the doorway, one hand gripping the handle, the other in front of him as if he still has his coffee mug gripped in it, even though it’s on the floor in front of him.
“That could be arranged.” I smile politely at him and sit back in the chair. “Now let’s get down to business.”
“Bellino,” he yells as the guards finally make an appearance, sauntering in before realising the severity of the situation and pulling their weapons and aiming them at me.
“Calm the fuck down, gentlemen.” I grin. “It’s a little too late for all that.”
Bellino steps behind his father, and Massimo suddenly remembers who he is and steps inside the office, pushing the guards to the side. He slams his hands down on the desk.
“The wedding is off. There’s no way you will be marrying, Bellino. I refuse to allow it.”
“I totally agree.” The look of confusion settles across their faces as they turn to glare at each other.
“Get out,” he snarls again.
I stand and lean on the desk opposite him as I see movement and Vittorio steps into the doorway.
“Just in time, my love.”
Vittorio looks confused. Bellino and Massimo spin to take in a sleep-rumpled Vittorio, shirtless in a pair of lounge pants and barefoot.
“What’s going on?” He scrubs at his hair as he stretches.
“This whore still thinks she’s marrying your brother,” Massimo spits, and Bellino crosses his arms, his face impassive.
“Firstly. Not a whore. Secondly, you misunderstand me, Massimo. I will not be marrying Bellino. When I’ve fully taken over, I will be choosing who I marry. That was the deal.”
“That will never happen. I will see to it that you fail.”
“Now, now, Massimo. Don’t be a sore loser. I’ll still be marrying into the family. I just choose Vittorio.”
Bellino’s eyes flare with something like rage, and Massimo’s blood pressure goes through the roof. But Vittorio steps between them and to my side. I stare over at him, and he gives me a slight smirk. The tiniest kink from the corner of his mouth as he presses against my side.
“You cannot be fucking serious.” Massimo spits out. Bellino’s jaw tightens, and I think this is the most that man has ever looked at me, but I cock a smirk at Massimo.
“That was the deal, Massimo. I get to choose, and I choose Vittorio.” I sit back down, and Vittorio steps back and stands beside the chair. Massimo takes a step back. His lip curls, and Bellino steps to their father’s side.
“You’re gonna pick her? Over family?” Bellino growls. It’s low and dangerous. The severity spreads across his face, the tension in his jaw evident as he bites down hard enough to crack a tooth.
“Yes,” Vittorio says with total confidence. I want to stare up at him. I want to melt in his arms. I hope I’m not being played. I hope he means it, but I keep my face passive.
“I will be marrying Vittorio, Massimo, whether you like it or not, by the rules you set. I will be taking my place, and if you try to stop me, you will forfeit your right to a position within the Syndicate. You know the rules, Massimo. Don’t mistake me for my father. I won’t let it slide; you will abide by the ruling.”
