AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Fear tightens my throat. I swallow, trying to speak over the ball of anxiety. “Has this ever happened before?”
She purses her lips, thinking over my question. “Umm, I mean we have always had security because of who my family are, but I can’t remember it being this heightened.”
Nausea swims in my stomach. What the hell has Nico brought us into? “Maybe it’s just preventive?” I ask hopefully.
She shrugs. “Maybe. Things just suck right now, and its making my mood plummet even further than it had.”
Chewing my lip, I study her. The resignation on her face makes my heart crack. I know that look. And I remember the precise momentIwore the same expression. It was the day I was told I would be marrying Xavier Anderson. I felt hopeless. Resigned. Scared.
“Allegra, is everything okay?” I ask tentatively.
Her watery blue orbs, a shade lighter than Nico’s, meet mine. She exhales a harsh breath, her shoulders sagging in defeat. Her eyes search mine and I think she is going to shut down, but then she speaks. “My papà signed a contract before he passed. It was a marriage agreement. I am promised to a man called Riccardo Romano.” She laughs, but it’s humorless. “Riccardo is nearly forty and a complete pig. I’ve heard the rumors about him and how he treats women. It’s bad, Ocean. So horrific, I wouldn’t wish him upon my worst enemy, let alone my own daughter. Yet Papà thought it was a good idea to sell me off to him,” she spits, disgust lacing her tone. “Nico is trying to get me out of it, but he has been trying for a while now, but the contract is ironclad. Of course, he hasn’t told me any of this, but I can tell. I see it in the haunted, guilty, look in his eyes every time he sees me. I know the only way to end the engagement is to break the agreement, but that will start a war. I don’t want anyone to get hurt, but I also can’t marryhim. Even if I wasn’t in love with Dante,” I gasp at her admission, cutting her off. Allegra’s lips part as she watches me, her cheeks turning pink.
I smile, grabbing her hand. “I kind of gathered that there was something going on with you two.”
She sighs. “I love him. He is everything to me. But my papà would never allow it, not that we asked him, but we know the rules, knew what was expected of me. An arranged marriage. And Papà decided Riccardo was the best fit.” She snorts, shaking her head. “Anyway, I don’t want anything to do with Riccardo. I would be nothing more than a trophy to parade around when he feels like it. A body to carry his heirs. A punching bag when he is angry. And from what I’ve heard, he is always angry. He has no shame when it comes to putting his hands on women. In fact, if the tales are true, which I believe they are, he gets off on it. Apparently, his first wife, who just happened to ‘disappear’,” she forms quote marks in the air. “Held a haunted look in her eyes and was always covered in bruises. He is that egotistical, he didn’t even think to cover them up.”
I take in all that she just told me, mulling it over. No way will Nico let it happen. It’s clear that he loves his sister so I can’t imagine him ever just handing her over to a man like that. “I’m sure Nico is doing all he can to get you out of it. Though we have had our ups and downs, I know he is a good man. It’s clear he loves you and will do anything to protect you, Allegra. Which is why I know that he won’t let you go through with it.” I squeeze her hand tighter in a gesture of comfort.
“I hope so. Because if not. I will run. Dante and I will run.” Determination crosses her features, telling me she means it.
Wanting to lighten the mood, I shoulder check her. “So, you and Dante, huh?”
She chuckles, a dreamy look crossing her face. “I’ve been in love with him since before I can remember. Like I said, Papà would have never allowed us to be together so…” she trails off, her eyes dropping as if she is ashamed. “I know this sounds awful, but I was almost relieved when he passed.” Releasing my hand, her hand flies up to her mouth. Her eyes widen in disbelief, no doubt at her confession.
I shake my head, understanding exactly how she feels. “You don’t need to be ashamed. Not around me. I would feel the same if my father died. He…” I swallow. “Just like your papà, my dad also set me up for an arranged marriage. The man he sold me to also had a bad reputation. Its why I ran. So never apologize. I know exactly how you feel.”
She gasps, gripping my hand again. “I’m sorry.”
I smile. “Nothing to be sorry for. It all worked out in the end.” My brows furrow and I add with a chuckle. “Well, there were a few speed bumps along the way, but I think it’s all finally taken a turn for the better.”
Allegra sighs. “You’re so strong, Ocean. I know my brother isn’t the easiest guy to handle but I see the way he looks at you. He worships the ground you walk on.”
I snort, suddenly feeling shy and looking away. “I don’t know about that.”
“He does. Trust me,” she says adamantly.
My lips part, ready to speak, only to snap shut when a presence fills the room. I don’t have to look to know who it is. I feel him. Head lifting, my gaze locks on Nico, who is watching us intently. He leans against the door jam, his eyes flicking from Romeo, to where Allegra and I sit on the couch. His brow cocks as his predatory blue orbs narrow. “Am I interrupting something?”
Allegra laughs. “No. We were just talking.”
“About?” he prompts.
Allegra wags her finger at him playfully. “Girl stuff.”
He shakes his head in exasperation, but I don’t miss the twitch of his full lips. “Can you watch Romeo. I need to talk with Ocean.”
“Of course,” Allegra chirps, dropping to the floor to play with her nephew.
Nico jerks his head. “Come.” He demands, turning on his heel and disappearing down the hall.
Knowing that’s my cue to follow, I sigh, pushing off the couch.
What the hell does he want now?
Maybe he is allowing me another call to Patty?
Excitement hits me in the chest and with a quick glance at my son and a thank you to Allegra, I follow Nico to his office.
