AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What is it?” he asked before looking over at the table and freezing too.
“You have got to be kidding me,” I hissed between my teeth and started to storm towards them. Liv and Gio looked up when they saw me coming and I could see in Liv’s eyes that she was apologetic already.
“Elenora, you finally made it,” Gio greeted with an edge. Yes, yes, he hates it when I am late. It is a good thing I am late tonight so that I can’t make a fucking scene in front of everyone at his manipulation.
“Hi everyone. Sorry.”
Max, Cami and Enzo all turned their heads to glance up at me and I forced a fake smile on my face. Enzo stood up to kiss me on both cheeks, but I didn’t miss the pointed look he gave Finn behind me before he did. I couldn’t handle any more controlling men tonight and if Enzo was about to kick off at the fact I have a very attractive bodyguard, I would stab him with a fork.
I huffed down into the chair opposite Enzo and next to Gio. “So, what is this all about?”
“Shall we order our mains first?” Gio smirked, beckoning the waiter over to us. I quickly scanned the menu and made my order before Gio or Enzo decided to reign down their dominance and order for me.
Once the waiter had left, I picked up my wine glass and took a large gulp, trying to avoid Enzo’s stare from across the table.
“How have you been?”
“Good. Can’t complain, you?”
“Same. Did you enjoy the gallery the other night?”
For a moment, I had no idea what he was talking about. Oh, the art gallery I pretended to attend when really, I was riding Panther’s lap.
“It was great. Very… interesting.” I frowned suddenly, “How did you know about that?”
He looked slightly caught out and leaned back in his chair, his own wine glass in his hand. “I had asked Gio if I could ask you out on a date that night and he said you had plans.”
My eyes widened and I whipped my head to Gio. He was pretending to be listening intently to something Cami was saying so he didn’t have to deal with me.
“You asked Giovanni for permission to date me?”
“I did,” he smiled. Finn shuffled uncomfortably from his position behind Enzo. I glanced up and we locked eyes, communicating in code. He knew I was pissed and he looked just as angry for me.
“Well, I guess that is for the best. Friends it is,” I smiled, raising my glass in the air between us. Enzo frowned, his blue eyes darting between Gio and me.
“He agreed. He has given his permission for us to date,” Enzo clarified and my chin nearly hit the table. What? I slammed my glass down and glared at my brother’s side profile.
“I do not need my brother’s permission to date, Enzo. He does not control my life.”
“Actually, you do need my permission,” Gio finally gave up trying to ignore me and turned his hard glare on me. “You live under my roof and are my responsibility. Enzo very respectfully told me he was interested in dating you and I agreed it would be a good match.”
“And do I have any say in this? I don’t want to live under your roof or be your responsibility. And I should have some say in who I date!” My voice had risen with every sentence. All other conversations had stopped and now all eyes were on me, but I was too angry to care.
“Elle let’s not do this now,” Gio warned. “You don’t have to date Enzo if you don’t want to. He asked. I said yes. The rest is up to you.”
That was so unfair and he knew it. Men like Enzo didn’t like to be turned down and I knew my place. To keep peace between our families, they were all expecting me to give this a chance. Why wouldn't I? I huffed back in my seat, ignoring the stares everyone was giving me. One of the phones vibrated in my bag and I excused myself to go to the toilet.
Opening Panther’s text, I tried to calm my temper.
You never told me what your greatest fear was?
I exhaled deeply and started pounding away at the keyboard.
Never being able to make my own choices. Never being free.
Shoving the phone back in my handbag, I leaned over the sink and closed my eyes. Tonight. After this circus of a matchmaking meal was over, I would confront Gio and tell him I wasn’t going to date Enzo because I had met someone else. He couldn’t keep me locked in the house forever. He would have to come around to the idea of me being with someone of my choosing eventually.
With my mind made up, I waltzed back into the restaurant and took a seat. I smiled politely at Enzo. It wasn’t his fault and I wasn’t going to be rude to him. He had never been anything but nice to me after all.
