AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“If I don’t like the way the conversation is going, then I will end it for you,” I state.
Her hands land on her hips, defiance sparking in her big blue eyes. She scoffs. “Oh my God. Just because I said I wished we could visit, you what? Have some childish tantrum. Grow up, Nico. I was saying it in passing. It’s not like we are actually going to visit. Though I would like to. There I said it. I would like to see Patty again.” She taunts, now acting like thechildishone as she put it.
“No, you’re not,” I agree, ignoring everything else she said and making sure she understands that when it comes to this conversation, it is non-negotiable.
“You’re incorrigible.” She shakes her head in exasperation.
I shrug. “I’ve been called worse. Now stop with yourchildish tantrum.” I throw her words back in her face. “And let’s finish our walk.”
“That’s the difference, Nico. I’m nineteen, so I get a little leeway when it comes to acting like a child. You’re pushing thirty, it’s a bit embarrassing when you do it.” She spits, storming past me.
Embarrassing?
Nico Marchetti embarrassing?She has some damn nerve.
Grinding my molars together, I want to get the last word in but stop myself. Later she will receive her punishment for her insubordination, and I shall look forward to every minute of what I do to her.
For now, I will allow her tantrum, only because I know what comes next is going to change everything. I smirk as I think of what I have planned.
Though she doesn’t know it yet, by the end of the week, Ocean will legally be my wife. That is when she will finally realize that there is no escaping me, no way out of this, but death. And even that’s debatable.
Because in this lifetime and every one that comes after? I will find her and make her mine.
***
“Really? You’re getting married?” Mamma gushes, her eyes glassy with happy tears.
“I am. Ocean doesn’t know yet, so I would appreciate your discretion. I want it to be a surprise,” I drawl. It’s not technically a lie. I do want it to be a surprise. But I also don’t want the annoyance of her fighting with me about it over the next couple of days, which is my main reason for keeping it hushed.
Mamma gasps, her eyes dreamy, hands coming up to rest on her chest in the place where her heart sits. “A surprise? Who knewmio figliocould be so romantic.”
I resist a snort but don’t miss the choked noise Dante makes. I glare at him. Romantic isn’t really the word I would use. Ocean is going to lose her shit when she realizes what’s happening. I smirk, knowing that I’m going to enjoy every second of her reaction.
“Can you organize a dress and someone to come in to do her hair and make-up? I’ve spoken with Father Michaels, and he has agreed to officiate the ceremony on Sunday evening. The County Clerk is issuing the marriage license, and will have it ready by no later than Thursday.” I tell her. Normally it would take longer to issue the license, but he owed me a favor and I called it in.
“When will you tell her?” Mamma asks.
“I am not going to tell her. Though, I think it will be obvious what’s happening when they start pulling out wedding dresses.” I frown when I remember something else. “Can you call my tailor? I want a custom all in one suit made for Romeo.”
Mamma beams. “Of course. As ifmio nipoteisn’t adorable enough, now he is going to have a matching suit with his papà.”
My chest tightens at her words. My son and me in matching suits. I mean, I’m never going to be the man that wears cringe-worthy matching holiday pajamas with his family and takes pictures for social media. But me and my son in the same outfit? Yeah, it does shit to me. “Good. Now that’s sorted, I need to talk to Dante.” Mamma doesn’t ask questions, just gets up from her chair with the biggest smile on her face and leaves. A chuckle breaks the silence in my office. My glare lands on Dante.
“Something funny?”
His laugh dies out, though amusement still dances in his eyes. “Man, Ocean is going to fight you every step of the way on this. You will have to drag her down the aisle.”
I shrug. “Then I will drag her down the aisle, but this marriage is happening. It’s the only way I can fully protect her.”
He eyes me for a long beat, then shakes his head. “Don’t try to play this off as just some way to protect her. You love her. I see it in the way you look at her.”
Irritation surges through me. Though there is truth to his words, I would never admit it. What I feel for Ocean transcends anything I’ve ever felt for anyone before. I don’t know if it’s love, but it’s something. I know I want her. Need her. Can’t imagine going a day without seeing her face. The time she was away, it was torture and I refuse to ever go through it again. Which is why she is safely locked in her cage – my estate. Is all that I am feeling love? I shake my head. It can’t be. A man like me doesn’t do love.
“Don’t make this into something it’s not,” I grit out.
Dante sighs. “Nico, you can’t fool me, so stop fooling yourself. You have been obsessed with that girl from the moment she stepped into your office at The Executive Club. It’s not a bad thing being in love. You shouldn’t be scared to admit it or allow yourself to feel it.” He sucks in a breath. “I love Allegra. And I will not allow a day to go by without me telling her that.”
Emotion clogs my throat witnessing his vulnerability. And yet, he is still the same man I’ve always known. He isn’t weak.Lovehasn’t made him weak. If anything, it has made him stronger. He is willing to fight for his love and I know without a doubt he would die before he let my sister marry another man.
