Rising, I crossed the floor to one of the break-out rooms I’d seen earlier when we entered. Dario followed me and stood outside the door, his massive bulk enough of a threat to anyone wishing to end the five minutes before time. Inside, I moved away from the window when the door opened, and the girl entered.
I met her gaze as she lifted large tear-glazed eyes to mine. The innocence of her age reflected in the baby-blue irises that probably glittered when she smiled. A tell-tale tremble told me she was scared and I gave her a reassuring smile. She didn’t return the gesture, instead, stared at me as if trying to make sense of what just happened, trying to accept that her future would change with a simple signature on a piece of paper. I took a step toward her and she stepped back, her gait reminding me of an awkward colt still trying to find its feet.
“What’s your name,” I kept my voice as gentle as possible.
“Alessia,” she replied, her Italian accent a lot more pronounced than mine.
“Do you understand what your father and I discussed today?”
She nodded, fidgeting with the hem of the knitted cardigan she had draped over her white dress. Given the hot summer weather, I was surprised by her need for the cover. I took another step forward and she one backward, taking her up against the wall at her rear. Startled, she jumped, causing the cardigan to fall off her shoulders and held by her wrists it bunched around her waist. The exertion on her heaving chest indicated she was breathing hard. Her eyes met mine again and I didn’t miss the questions, the plea, the confusion.
“You don’t have to fear me, Alessia, I’m not going to harm you,” I consoled. “Have you been to New York before?”
Her throat worked a swallow before she answered, “no.”
“Ti piacerebbe andare a New York?” I asked if she’d liked to go to New York.
“Yes, please,” her answer surprised me, more so the sudden lilt to her tone followed by the sparkle in her eyes.
I went in for the kill. “Would you like to marry me, Alessia?”
“Yes,” came the quick reply. Her soft smile lit up her face and had me curious to her sudden excitement. Barely a moment ago, she, along with the rest of her family, cringed at my suggestion. As my gaze roamed her features, my eyes fell to her arm, taking in the large blue marks imprinted into her skin. Shifting my gaze, I noticed the same discoloration on her other arm. I took a step back and tilting my head, I studied her young features.
She was a tall girl with long dark hair that graced her waist and fairly skinny for her age. High cheekbones that would probably fill out as she matured, gave her an almost gaunt look. It was as my gaze dropped to her neck and the fading purple marks there, I understood her mother’s calm reaction. Alessia D’Angelo was a victim of child abuse. How deep it went, I could only guess. Her need for a cardigan made perfect sense. Unconsciously, rage built inside me at the thought of what her tiny body had endured. Having been raised with two sisters, my father had never lifted a hand to his daughters and the knowledge sickened me that there was no one to protect this girl.
“Listen to me very carefully, Alessia.” She lifted her head, her large eyes scanning my face with interest. “I will marry you. I will take you to New York where you will live a happy life. No one will hurt you there and you can become whatever you want to be.”
Her smile widened. I accepted my next words would probably hurt her, but I had to lay down the rules and nip any expectation in the bud.
“You have to understand this, though,” I continued, noting her frown. Slipping my hands into my pants pockets, I took a step back. “My heart belongs to another. It always has and always will. I will never love you and I will never give you my heart.” Slowly, her expression clouded. “So, if you have any aspirations toward a love marriage, forget them. This is a marriage of convenience. In two years, when you’re eighteen, we will give your father an heir. You will, however, continue to live in New York and raise our child there. Do you understand what I just said?”
“You’re giving me freedom with restrictions?” She blinked to clear her tear glazed eyes. Her intelligent answer surprising for her age.
“A lot can happen in two years, Alessia. The question you must ask yourself now, is where you’d rather be. Under my protection, in your own bedroom and living the life you want. Or, here in Italy, waiting until you’re of marriageable age just to get away from your family while one of your sisters takes your place by my side.” I lifted a brow.
“I will marry you,” she said without hesitation.
“Good.” I turned to walk away.
She stopped me. “Lorenzo?” I looked at her. “If your heart belongs to someone else, why are you marrying me? Why haven’t you married her?”
“The heart doesn’t always get what it wants, Alessia, you’ll find that out as you grow.”
“I just did,” she whispered.
Sighing, I walked out the room. I’d just broken her young heart before she could even fall in love.
