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“You didn’t mention my uncles. Are they dead too?”
“Not as far as I know.”
“Then I want to go home to them.”
She gets to her feet as if she actually imagines leaving is a possibility. I put my hands on her shoulders and push her firmly back onto her seat.
“Your home is with me now. It’s what your grandfather wanted.”
“What?” She sits up a little straighter, ready to challenge me.
“Your grandfather planned for this. He knew you were in danger here. He arranged for me to bring you to New York as my bride.”
That’s not strictly true. He brokered a deal for one of the Volante brothers to marry Emilia. The old bastard didn’t give a crap which of us it was. It couldn’t be Antonio since he’s already married. Both Leo and Gio refused point blank to consider it, so that left me and Matteo. I wanted the gorgeous brunette from the moment I saw a picture of her, so Antonio gave her to me.
“I don’t believe you,” Emilia spits.
“Frankly, I don’t care what you believe. You are mine now,dolcezza, and I will protect you whether you like it or not.”
CHAPTER 3
Emilia
As the plane flies through the darkness, I consider my situation. I may not want Alessandro’s protection, but I’m not naïve enough to think I won’t need it. Though I have no clue what’s going on or why anyone would choose to target my family, I get the feeling I will be safer far from San Vicente. I don’t know anything about my grandfather’s business, but I’m sure a man as successful as him must have made some enemies over the years. As a close family member, I might be in danger. After all, if it hadn’t been for Alessandro’s intervention, I would have been at home with my grandfather when the house was attacked. Perhaps whoever is responsible would have killed me too.
A thousand questions swirl in my mind, but right now the one at the forefront is why would my grandfather want to marry me to a Volante? How does he even know people like them?
Alessandro could probably give me the answers I seek, but that would mean talking to him, and I don’t feel like doing that rightnow. My ass still smarts from the spanking he gave me, though it doesn’t sting half as much as the injury to my pride. Being manhandled like that by a complete stranger was embarrassing, but I can’t say with hand on heart that I hated it. It thrilled some part of me to experience his dominance. I’d rather not examine that disconcerting fact too closely.
I need to work out what sort of man I’m dealing with. Is he the charming, laid-back guy who breezed into the hotel a couple of days ago and flashed me that boyish wink, or the mobster in the five-thousand-dollar suit who took me over his knee? Perhaps he’s a bit of both.
Through half-closed eyes, I watch him at the front of the cabin. He stretches one arm across his chest, exhales, and then repeats the action with the other arm. He’s got his jacket off and his sleeves rolled up, giving me a glimpse of gloriously tanned forearms. Looking over at me, he frowns, then saunters in my direction. I screw my eyes shut tighter and resume the pretense I’m asleep.
“If you want me to believe you’re sleeping, you should lose some of the tension in your shoulders.”
Damn! I guess my act wasn’t fooling anyone. I don’t respond to him, but the corner of my mouth twitches reflexively. I’ve never been a good actress.
“It’s sensible to rest while you can,” he continues. “We’ll be landing in New York in the morning. I know you need time to grieve, but we can’t postpone our plans.”
My fists clench by my sides. First, they’re his plans, not mine, and second,grieve? It hasn’t begun to sink in that I’ve lost the person who took care of me for most of my life. I don’t feela hint of sorrow. There’s not that numbness people talk about when they’ve had a shock either. I’m just mildly pissed at what’s happening to me. Is that a normal reaction?
“We’ll go to my mother’s house for the wedding,” Alessandro informs me, “and then I’ll take you to our mansion in Connecticut for a couple of days.”
A mansion in Connecticut sounds fancy. I guess that means Alessandro is rich. I mentally slap that ridiculous thought away. Of course he’s rich. My grandfather wouldn’t have arranged for me to marry a pauper. Besides, even if I hadn’t noticed Alessandro’s expensive suit, the fancy car, and the presence of two bodyguards, the private jet would be a dead giveaway. I’ve never seen anything like it.
When I went to the bathroom shortly after the pilot said it was safe to take our seatbelts off, I couldn’t believe how opulent it was. The sink was hewn from the finest marble. The toilet had what I’d swear was a solid gold handle to flush it and the towel I dried my hands on felt like a cloud.
The main cabin is spacious with large, white leather seats and the walls are paneled with a highly polished wood, trimmed with gold. The carpet on the floor is so thick and soft, I could sink right into it.
For my first time on an airplane, it’s all quite overwhelming. Though my family isn’t exactly poor, they’re not lavish with their wealth. I’ve never experienced this level of luxury. I wish I had someone to share my incredulity with, but it seems I’m on my own.
A sob escapes me, and a tear slides down my cheek. To my surprise, a gentle finger brushes it away. I open my eyes and find Alessandro crouched in front of me. He takes my hand.
“It will be okay, Emilia,” he assures me.
“How can it be okay?” I ask. “I should feel sad about my grandfather, but all I’ve done is marvel at how amazing this plane is.”
“You haven’t been on a plane like this before?”
