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The family reunion is one worthy of a few tears, and by the time Carlo and my mother leave, I’m exhausted and more than ready to turn in for the day. But the thought of going home causes something to crawl up my throat.
By kissing Daniella and almost having sex with her, I deviated from the plan. I let my guard down. I was supposed to stay away from her at least until after the wedding. Control was never supposed to slip from my fingers so soon. She was never supposed to burrow her way into my head—hell, into my entire being. Marrying her was meant to be a business transaction, something easy, simple, straightforward. But all those things have been blown out of the water.
One night of passion fueled by lust and now we’re both drowning in a sea of uncertainty. I don’t know what I want and neither does she. We’re both on a crash course for disaster. And I have no idea how to stop us.
CHAPTER17
Daniella
“Easy with that, it’s really expensive,” I call out to one of the workers.
I hear light footsteps behind me, followed by a scent I’ve come to acquaint with only one person.
“Do we really need a fountain shaped like a dog?” he questions, sounding appalled.
That’s the first thing he has said to me in three days. I whirl around to face him.
“It’s a New York socialite party, Chris,” I state. His eyes narrow at my shortening his name. I ignore it. “Our first of many. We have to step out into society in style.”
Christian’s jaw clenches. He takes a deep breath, visibly trying to control his anger. It makes me wonder what would happen if he actually let go. He’s so uptight all the time. Plus, he’s scary enough when he’s reining in all his anger and emotions. What would a Christian D’Angelo unleashed look like?
“Daniella, I told you to plan a dinner party for friends and family. Not invite the entire state of New York.”
I turn away from him, hiding my smile. “You did?” I ask, feigning innocence. “I must have forgotten. But don’t worry, babe. I’ll try to keep the guest list down to a maximum of five hundred.”
Christian’s right eye practically twitches. “Five hundred people?” he asks, exasperated. “Where are you even going to fit all those people?”
“There’s a large ballroom in the house. I’m sure it’ll work splendidly.”
He gives me a look. “You get a kick out of riling me up, don’t you?”
“I can’t deny it gives me all these warm, fuzzy feelings,” I confess.
He sighs. I hear him about to leave so I quickly face him.
“I need your help with the guest list on your side.”
Christian arches an eyebrow.
“I mean, I know your brothers will be there, but that’s about it,” I state, waiting for him to elaborate on who will be coming from his family.
“Other members of the family will be there. The capos, and my mom’s back,” he says and my eyes widen. “She got back two days ago.”
“And you’re just telling me now?” I grit out.
He shrugs. He fucking shrugs, like he didn’t think it was important to mention that a woman who’s supposed to be my mother-in-law is back. Mothers-in-law are notoriously famous for making life hell for their daughters-in-law. I want this woman to like me, dammit. But I know next to nothing about her. I only know what she looks like thanks to the pictures on the walls of the house.
“The opportunity didn’t come up,” Christian says. “Plus, she’s off dealing with Toph so we shouldn’t be seeing her for a while.”
“Dealing with Toph? And what, pray tell, is the problem with Toph that your mother went straight to him after a long journey instead of coming home?” I ask.
Christian looks me dead in the eye. “That’s need-to-know information, Daniella. And you don’t need to know.”
I wish it didn’t, but my heart thuds painfully at that. I look away.
“Just curious… when is that going to change? I mean, I live here with you, despite your numerous absences. And I spend all my time in this house, getting to know the staff, when I should be getting to know you. I’m wearing an engagement ring that symbolizes the start of a relationship, even though it doesn’t feel like one. When exactly is that going to change? When is it going to feel like one?”
When are you going to open up to me, Christian?
