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Morning dawnswith the promise of a fresh start. Before I even open my eyes, the warmth spreads through my body as it remembers the night of its life. I don’t believe there’s any part of it that Alessandro didn’t focus his attention on at some point last night, and the delicious ache of satisfaction makes me stretch and moan with contentment.
As I reach for him, I’m disappointed to find the space next to me empty and as I turn, I can sense immediately I’m alone. Rubbing my eyes, I sit up and wince as the soreness between my legs tells me we went a little too far yesterday, but I still wouldn’t change a thing. I loved every minute of it and part of me wishes that day could have lasted forever.
As I drag my body from the bed, I wonder what today will bring. Alessandro said we were leaving, and I wonder where we’re heading. As I shower, I lean back against the marble tiles and love how free I am because something is telling me freedom wasn’t something I enjoyed until now. It’s an alien feeling that I’m adjusting to, and my memory may be battered and crawling back to me inch by inch, but it’s the future that interests me now.
I just hope Alessandro’s grandparents allow us to have one.
CHAPTER27
ALESSANDRO
My grandfather is pissed. It’s obvious from the hard gleam in his eye and the frown on his face. He is sitting on the terrace nursing an espresso and as I stretch my legs, I lean back in my seat and contemplate him through hooded eyes.
It’s just the two of us and I have filled him in on what Winter told me yesterday. If I thought, it would change his mind though I was wrong because he merely looks irritated before sighing heavily.
“This changes nothing.”
“It changeseverything.”
“It changes nothing.” He repeats the sentence with a low growl.
“The alliance has been arranged and if we pull out now, there will be blood. Are you prepared to sacrifice your soldiers, possibly your own life, for a woman?”
“I would sacrifice everything for Winter. I already have.”
I remind him why I’m here at all and then lean forward and say firmly. “You knew I gave my freedom up for her. Did you really believe I’d watch her walk away from me?”
He rolls his eyes and spits, “I’m not asking you to give her up. Just enjoy a different kind of relationship. Allegra knows how this works. She will turn a blind eye to your activities outside the home, but she will demand your respect in it. Nonna was the same and I’m guessing Beatrice suffers along with the rest of them. Our role comes with many perks to ease the burden of the day. You can have it all, Alessandro and I’m disappointed that you are blinded by love.”
He leans forward and fixes me with a stern expression. “Love has no place in our world. Lust has free reign, and duty wins every time. Take your three months and when you return, it’s attending your own wedding and your bride will be waiting for you with the greatest gift a man like you can have. Power. It’s all about power, Alessandro and Winter Delauren has none.”
“It’s Sontauro.” I hiss through bared teeth.
“She has never, or ever will be, a Delauren. You say I would rather sacrifice my own soldiers than give her up. I disagree. You understand how this works, Grandfather; you scripted the rulebook. You say I would be weak if I backed away from this union. I disagree. True weakness is doing what’s expected. What the enemy wants you to do. Power comes from making a stand and winning through planning and manipulation. I always thought you were a master at that, and I hope you don’t prove me wrong.”
For a second we stare at each other through identical malevolent eyes and then I stand, my voice reaching across the table with a thousand blades attached. “I’ll be gone for three months, grandfather and when I return, the only bride by my side will be Winter. There will never be a vacancy in that position for anyone else. If you want a weak man to stand in your shoes, you chose the wrong one in me. Perhaps you should give my father another try. He may be scared enough of you to agree.”
As I turn, his voice jumps out and grabs me by the throat with a dark warning. “Don’t challenge me, boy. Duty manifests itself in many ways and claims the souls of the strongest men. This is bigger than either of us, and I will do whatever it takes for the good of the family. That is what matters more than anything. The Majerio family and if you want to be included in that, you will play your part or be damned.”
“Are you seriously threatening me?”
I turn slowly and stare at him with anger flashing in my eyes and I’m surprised when he stands and moves toward me, facing me with the eyes of a grandfather this time and not my Don.
As he reaches out and pulls me in for a hug, he whispers, “Three months, my boy. If you can find a way to have it all, I will be the proudest grandfather in the world. If your decision costs lives, it may just be yours that’s sacrificed.”
I pull away and nod, noting his battle lines. Three months to work a way out of this madness and return to honor our agreement. Luckily for me, I have powerful friends who will enjoy every minute of the challenge set and I can’t wait to get back behind friendly lines because I may have won the battle in freeing Winter, but the war is far from over.
* * *
Things move fastand we are soon taking our seats on my grandfather’s private jet and heading for Canada.
Winter is quiet beside me and as the wheels leave the ground, I’m conscious she is worrying about something.
As the plane levels off, I reach for her hand and lace our fingers together and she smiles with a hint of nerves.
“Where are we going?”
“Club Mafia.”
