Page 2 of The Arianna Arrangement

When my eyes flicked back up to his face, the smile I saw made my stomach more queasy than it had been earlier. “You’ve trained him well, Zephyr. I’m assuming that’s Apollo’s doing?”

My dad smiled, but it wasn’t a real one. “He gave Tucker a crash course on the etiquette of your world.”

“Excellent.” He snapped a finger and a boy about my age appeared. He had black hair like his father, but it didn’t look greasy, instead had an undercut with a long top swooped over to one side. “This is my son, Alessandro.”

Just like Dad and Apollo had said, he extended a hand to me. The handshake was awkward, especially since he looked like he wanted to punch me. I guess I couldn’t really blame him. I’d be pissed if some boy was at our house to meet Leyla, especially knowing he planned to marry her one day.

“Sandro.” His father whisper yelled the word, giving his son a warning.

Alessandro’s jaw clenched, but then he spoke the words his father wanted him to, even if it seemed like he was about to choke on them. “Welcome to our home. Thank you for accepting my sister and forming an alliance with our family that will serve us all for generations to come.”

The boy moved away, probably back to wherever he’d been sitting before we came in, and a girl stepped forward. I kept my eyes on Don Vitale, remembering that Apollo said looking at her before he introduced her would be a huge offense, but it was hard. I wanted to look at the girl I was going to have to marry one day.

Her father chuckled, seeing my attention from him didn’t waiver, and he looked at my father. “I always did like Apollo.” When his attention turned back to me, I felt a drop of sweat roll down my back. My nerves were starting to get the best of me. “Tucker, I truly do admire how well you follow directions. I think you were the perfect choice.” He gave me that sickening smile again, and I wasn’t sure being the perfect choice was a good thing anymore. “This is my daughter, Arianna.”

Fucking finally. My attention turned to the girl beside him. Her black hair was straight as could be with some of it pulled back out of her face. She wore a white ribbon in her hair that matched the white dress she wore.

I stepped forward, handing her the rose, then taking the hand she outstretched to me, my eyes never left hers as I placed a kiss to the back of it. It was weird doing this in front of all of these adults. Even more so because it was the first time my lips had touched a girl that wasn’t family. “Vita Mia.”

An older woman stepped up to Don Vitale, a hand on her chest as she swooned at my words. “Lucian, he really is perfect.” She reached a hand out to my mom. It was the first time anyone in here had noticed her. “My name is Guilia. It’s so nice to meet you.”

My mom smiled warmly at her. “You as well. My name is Ashley.”

Guilia smiled back and when they released hands, she waved her hand to the sitting area. “Shall we? We should get to know each other a little while the men talk business and the kids spend some time together.”

My mom looked at my dad, and when he gave her a small nod, she agreed.

“Alessandro, take your sister and Tucker to the study. The staff has set up brunch for the three of you.” Don Vitale’s eyes met mine. “My son will chaperone today, with both Vinny, Ari’s bodyguard, and your security. You three should get to know each other better, and later, we can talk business.” Then, his attention was on my dad. “Zephyr, why don’t I show you to my office. We can break out the good stuff and shoot the shit.”

Alessandro sneered at me when his fathers attention was elsewhere. “This way.”

We walked in silence across the length of the mansion and I really hoped Sean was paying attention so he could get us out of here if we needed to. This place was seriously like a maze. Finally, we entered a room with all kinds of food. The smell made my stomach growl, and I realized that now that the adults weren’t with us, I didn’t feel as nervous.

I followed their lead and sat down at a small table with three place settings. My mother had been giving me some lessons in preparation, too, so when we got to the table, I pulled out Arianna’s chair for her, then helped her push it in. It was super awkward, especially as her brother glared at me.

“Tucker, do you have any sisters?”

“Yes, I do.” I knew where he was going with this, but Apollo had warned me that I was to take no shit from him, and if I thought he was going to threaten me, to beat him to the punch. “But I think it’ll do you well to not threaten me for simply being here doing a duty to my family.” His eyebrows shot up and I got a thrill at having surprised him. “I will marry your sister one day, as your father has requested. And I assure you that I will treat her with the respect she deserves.” I let out the breath I’d been holding so my chest would stay puffed out, making me look bigger than I am. “I hope that you and I can also build a connection during my time here as well. Not only will we be family one day, but business partners, so I’d like us to have a friendship.”

He sneered again. “Over my dead body.”

Arianna gasped. “Sandro.”

I just smiled at him. “I’m sure that can be arranged.”

Another gasp. “Tucker.” The girl looked between us. “Guys, chill the fuck out. You can have a dick measuring contest later. For now, I want you both to get along so we can get through this.” My eyes bugged out of my face. The grin she gave me said it probably looked comical. “I’m not sure how this will go for you when you leave today, but my father will expect that we all learned a lot about each other, so maybe we should do that.”

I gave her a slight nod. “Okay. What would you like to know?”

We spent the next hour eating and telling each other some of the most basic facts, but when the mom’s checked in on us, I knew her favorite color was pink, she was allergic to pineapple, hated asparagus, her favorite flowers were pink dahlias, she loved reading books, hated PE, was really good at math, hated wearing dresses though her mother made her wear one every day, and if she could live in the pool she would. Also, her brother was an asshole and she’s terrified of her father. She didn’t say it outloud, but I could tell by the way she talked about him. The part about her brother was just obvious from being around him.

We spent a couple of hours watching TV after the mom’s left, and about an hour before dinner was to be served, Tony, Alessandro’s bodyguard, told us we were wanted in his father’s office.

The guard knocked on the door before opening it and signaling for us to enter.

Don Vitale sat at his desk. “Boys! Come on in and have a seat.” I took the seat beside my father, and Alessandro took the one by his. “I hope your afternoon has been pleasant.”

“Yes sir. Thank you for your generous hospitality.” I eyed my dad for a moment, and figured, screw it. If I didn’t talk to him now, it would be too late. “Father, can we have a quick word?”