Chapter 9: CHAPTER 9 - CONFESSIONS
Alina POV:
I wake up and I look at the clock on the wall its just after nine. I can't believe I was supposed to marry Romeo, this is so messed up. I go to the bathroom, I have a shower and find a spare toothbrush, the warm water feels amazing, after feeling somewhat relaxed and get myself fired off, I get to work brushing my teeth and towel dry my hair. I try the closet since I have nothing to wear, I find a pair of black silk boxer shorts and a white t-shirt and slip them on with some socks. This man basically has store for a closet, I shake my head.
I make my way down stairs to find Romeo, I need to speak about this thing and I realised I passed out, that was embarrassing enough. I make my way down stairs and look for the kitchen, it doesn't take long, because I smell food, specifically bacon? I walk into the spacious black white and grey kitchen and I spot Romeo cooking, no shirt but with an apron and joggers on, he's singing along to some song from his iPod on the stand.
I watch his muscles flex as he moves around and I can spot his tattoo's perfectly. He has a massive tattoo on his back across his shoulders saying "Vivere e Paura" on top and "De Luca" at the bottom with a massive intricate cross below it with a scroll "Dio ci salvi". (Live and Fear, De Luca) (God Save Us).
His sleeves are quite intricate, going up to his neck, it's quite sexy. "Good morning bella, enjoying the view?" Romeo asks, and I can't help but blush, he turns and gives me a sexy smile. "Breakfast is almost ready, I see you found my closet."
"Yeah, I hope you don't mind, I kind of had nothing to wear." I say shrugging.
"Of course not." He says finishing up breakfast, I turn to see the kitchen table set with coffee, orange juice plates and cutlery. I can't help but smile. He puts down pancakes, fresh fruit, bacon, eggs and even yoghurt. He's made an entire spread.
"Wow breakfast looks amazing, I'm starving." I say smiling and as if on cue my stomach rumbles and Romeo laughs.
"Dig in, before it gets cold." Romeo says smiling and he removes his apron and I try not to look at his gorgeous body. I see his tattoo's on the front are more religious, with a few names and quotes. It's really beautiful. But it's not as full as his back. Just the top of his chest. I eat and moan in absolute bliss, he made blueberry and white chocolate pancakes. Its sinful. "So about last night, I just want you to know, I had no idea who you were, and that it was actually you I had to marry those years ago. I never sought you out or anything like that, I know how this looks, it's completely crazy." Romeo says literally blurting it out like he's been sitting in it since I passed out.
"Romeo, I admit I was a bit freaked out. I was worried about what you just said, but now that you know the truth, are you going to tell my father where I am and conclude business?" I ask him sipping my on coffee nervously. He sits back and sips his coffee.
"Lina, I have no desire to do business with your father, that deal was made without my knowledge between my father and yours, I found out basically the same time as you. I couldn't do anything about it, the De Luca name was at stake. When you disappeared, admittedly I was relieved because I did not want an arranged marriage, not trap someone into something like that. I do understand if you don't want to see me anymore. I won't pressure you, your secret is safe with me, your father will never hear this from me or anyone in the De Luca family, that I can promise you." Romeo says getting up and lighting a cigarette and walking out into the garden.
My tears run, I actually like Romeo. I do somehow feel like I can trust him, but if we continue, won't that be giving everyone what they want? Using both Romeo and me? This is so a messed up. I walk outside to Romeo and he stubs out his cigarette, and I put my arms around his waist. "Romeo, I haven't felt this close to anyone in years, let alone told anyone my secret. It feels kind of like fate has thrown us together in some weird way, maybe we weren't ready back then, but nothing is stopping us from getting to know each other now. I mean we had sex last night, I haven't had sex in a very long time, so I didn't take what happened lightly, unless it's something that you do?" I say releasing his waist.
Romeo turns to face me and sits on the patio table, holding my hands. "Bella I don't do dates, I don't do women staying over, let alone sleep in my bed and cuddle all night, cooking breakfast? Forget about it. There's something about you, I would like to see where this goes. I have one question though. How long?" Romeo asks a playful glint in his eyes.
I close my eyes and answer. "It's been a little over a year and before that probably about the same." Romeo is looking at me like I have grown another head. "Could you please not look at me like that, not all of us sleep around." I say huffing and slightly pouting.
"Ok, bella, I have had my fair share of women, but contrary to belief, I don't sleep with every woman I meet. In fact I'm pretty choosy like that ask anyone. I don't even do lap dances except for you, I can't be a Mafia boss and sleep my way through New York, imagine how many women would speak out, and how many kids they would claim are mine. I have to be selective, can't have too many women around this life, and I do respect women, that said I am guilty of a few one night stands." Romeo shrugs. I can't help but giggle, this man is just something else.
"So, Mari told me, you kind of are like the Don, like the head, or most powerful of all in the world, Mafia King as she put it." I ask shrugging, Romeo nods.
"Yes that is true, however, my father still has some rights, he was the previous Don, but if I say no that is law, mostly everywhere around the world. Even your father has to answer to me to some extent, but I try not to do business with him, since you went missing, he tried to kill me more than once, trying to take over, but that's just our world." Romeo says trying to make it sound less important than it is, or trying to soften the blow.
"So Romeo, are you going to tell anyone about who I really am? That I'm a Mafia Princess?" I ask him looking down.
He lifts my chin. "Well the only people that will have to know are Dario and Leo, I won't tell Luc, well because Luc is kind of too soft in this world, and what he doesn't know won't hurt him. Dario and Leo are my right hands, they know everything there is to know, and this is something they need to know. To keep us both safe." Romeo says hugging me, I nod, I suppose that's alright. "So does this mean I can take you out on another date?" Romeo asks and I laugh.
"Yes I think I would love that." I answer giving him a small kiss. Romeo asked one of his guys to pick up some clothing for me, Mari packed a jean, white tank and long black sweater, with a black ankle boot with some underwear. "Romeo, I have to head to work. I'm working a double shift today, so that means I have to leave now." I say with a sigh, I would much rather be spending the day with him.
"I don't want you working so hard, but I won't stop you. I am going to have a meeting with Dario and Leo, then I need to check on a few of the businesses and speak to Luc about a new casino we are opening. So I will see you tonight at The Underground, Tino will take you to work." Romeo says and its kind of cute that he's telling me things, he gives me a long kiss.
Romeo POV:
Alina just left and the guys will be arriving soon, I change into some jeans and a t-shirt, I'm definitely working from home today. "Romeo cousin, where are you? Dario and I are here for this emergency meeting." Leo calls out like the ass he is.
"Hey Dario, Leo, come to my office." I say firmly and I know they are thinking this is serious. My office and my bedroom are the only places I don't have surveillance. "The reason I called you here today, with no other men in the house is because, I have something very serious and very touchy to speak to you about, and yes a bit personal."
"Rome, whatever it is you can trust us," Dario says sitting down sipping a scotch. Leo nods, even though he can be playful and an ass at times, I trust him with my life as I do Dario.
"Boys, remember when I was supposed to be engaged about three years ago?" They both nod, unsure of where I'm going with this. "Well remember the info we got on Alina? She is Russo's missing daughter, my would be fiancée is Alina Rachel Russo, not her alias Alina Emma Johnson." I say giving them time to process.
"So are you returning her to Russo? Why did she run away?" Leo asks confused.
I take a sip of my scotch. "Well no, neither if us were ready to get married, you both know that, it was my father and Dante Russo's doing and I had no choice or the De Luca name would have been tarnished. Dante killed Alina's boyfriend Stephen at the time for this deal to happen and the fact that he wasn't Italian. We were to meet that week and she ran with the help of her brother Giovanni Russo, he is the only one that knows where she is. You both know I fucking hate Dante Russo, and I don't want him hurting Alina or worse trying to sell her off to some other Mafia family, to gain some sort of alliance, he's capable of anything. Nobody can know who she really is, we are the only three in this room who knows, she's aware I am telling you, now I need both of you to look out for her as you would me," I finish the bulk of the explanation.
"Rome, cazzo!" Dario swears. "She's a fucking Mafia Princess of one of your biggest enemies, her family is quite powerful. This would mean war if Russo finds out you have her." Dario says and he's usually the calm one.
"Dario, I know. She didn't want any of this, neither did I, hell we found each other totally by accident, I had no idea when she said she had a secret, that it was she's a Mafia Princess I had to marry. I care about her and we are seeing each other. I need to know you and Leo will protect her like you do me." I say in a very final flat tone.
Dario nods and Leo speaks. "Cousin you have our protection always, as does your girl, what about Luciano?"
"He needs to know nothing, only the three of us, Luc is too soft for this kind of information, and the last thing I want is him getting hurt." I say shaking my head, he may be my brother but he is really not meant for this lifestyle, but yet he keeps trying.
"She is working tonight, so I'm stopping by the club, Dario, I need you to meet with Alessandro Mancini, we have another deal going down tonight, but I need you there, take Dominic with you and a few men. Mancini is not going to get away with all the money he owes me, on top of this deal, if he doesn't cough up, no guns, no drugs." I instruct Dario. "Leo, you are going to be with me and Tino at the club, I'm meeting Toscano, he's requested passage for some deal he has in Italy, Dario can meet us after. Right boys see you tonight, I need to check in with Luc and the new casino, and see how the hotels are doing." I say dismissing them.
Dario speaks up, "Oh boss, speaking of Russo, I heard he is still searching for Alina, and he might be coming to New York. Our guy inside says he still wants to make a deal with you if he finds her, and if you don't do it, he wants to sell her to Toscano or Mancini. Your instincts were right, he wants to sell her to the highest bidder."
"Well then, Dario, Leo, we need her protected at all times. We don't tell them why, they need to keep a distance. Nobody goes near her, if anyone looks suspicious, bring them in. Have at least five guys around the club at all times, inside and out, and two or three at her apartment when she is there, her father won't ever get near her." I say feeling worried to the pit of my stomach, this woman has turned my world upside down, and what's worse, I don't want to let her go. What the fuck happened to me?
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