I see my brother inside the ballroom and know he won’t like my being alone with Alessandro. “Walk with me.” I take Alessandro’s arm and lead him away from the open doors. “Somewhere my brother can’t see us.”
I feel the thrill of doing something so forbidden, especially knowing that propriety says we shouldn't be alone until after our wedding night.
“Should I be concerned that you’re luring me into an ambush?” His voice is teasing yet cautious.
“If I wanted you dead, Alessandro, I wouldn’t waste a perfectly good Valentino gown doing it.” I shoot him a playful smile.
We reach a stone bench partially hidden by flowering vines. I sit, smoothing out my dress as I cross my ankles.
“Your father and brother know we’re out here alone?” he asks, voice laced with concern.
“They don’t own me.” I pat the space beside me, inviting him closer. “Neither will you.”
“Is that what concerns you about our arrangement? That I’ll treat you as property?”
“Isn’t that what I am? A payment in your alliance?”
“We’ve been through this already, haven’t we?” The intensity in his gaze makes me pause.
“Our agreement doesn’t change the fact that I’m a commodity.” I look out over the gardens when he doesn’t respond. “Tell me something real. One thing that isn’t strategy or obligation.”
He’s silent for so long, I think he’s ignoring my question. But then he sighs. “I miss my father every day, but I’m terrified of becoming him.”
His confession shocks me. I look into his face and I can see he's being honest.
“Eva said you’re nothing like him,” I reply. “She said you’re better. Harder to read, but with more humanity beneath the surface.”
“Eva is being kind. Probably to keep you from getting too scared.”
“I’m not scared of you, although I guess I should be.” I shift closer, drawn to him.
“So why all the probing?”
“It doesn’t hurt to know the landscape. What I’ve learned tonight is that your brother and his family adore you. I watched them tonight. They admire and respect you.”
“I’m the Don.”
I shake my head. “Dons are usually respected out of fear. You are respected out of love. There’s a difference. Although I will say, I imagine Adriano pushes the limits.”
Alessandro laughs, and it breaks some of the tension. “That he does. And I’ll be honest, if pushed to choose me or Eva, I suspect I’d lose.”
I shrug. “That’s as it should be. A man should be willing to burn down the world for his woman.”
“Adriano and Luca would both do that.”
“I want what they have,” I say quietly, knowing it’s a silly notion considering Alessandro and I don’t love each other. In another life, he and I’d never be a couple. “Not just security or status. I want what your siblings found.”
“Love?” His voice goes flat, as if the idea repulses him. My heart sinks, and I know I can’t ask for love.
“Connection.” I reach for his hand, feeling a rush of warmth as I wrap my fingers around his. “I’ve been raised to be someone’s wife my whole life. But I’m more than that.”
He looks at me with intensity, and I can see the acknowledgement of my truth reflected in his gaze. “I think you are.”
His words make my heart race, and I let out a small smile. “I just hope I’m not too much for you.”
“I guess we’ll find out.” His gaze drops to my lips, just like at the wedding venue the other day. The air between us thickens, igniting a craving that I’m only just starting to understand.
I lean forward, my heart racing at my boldness. His eyes flutter closed...
