“I’ll allow you this, mi cucciolo. But since you say you were raised into this world to be mine one day, it’s abundantly clear to you that respect is given while trust is earned.” I add another dose of snap into my voice when I add, “Don’t fucking play me, you won’t like my counter actions.”
Mi cucciolo. My puppy. For me to train, mold, and raise into a loyal follower. Though the feisty flare in those gorgeous blue eyes and the way she holds her body raise the suspicion she’s anything but a willing follower. And the mere thought makes my cock stir.
Her hand slides to my chest and she brushes her lips against my ear. “I fully agree with you. It’s why I requested to let the one person I trust in my life accompany me for a few more days in a surrounding with people I don’t know well enough. Give me a chance to settle in. I’m well aware this isn’t about love or comfort: it’s an arrangement we both agreed to. And I’m fully invested. And just so you know, I would never play the man I was raised to serve and protect, Clemente. And once you get to know me...you won’t ever call me a damn puppy again.”
She steps out of my grip to lock eyes with me. We’re sizing each other up and I have to give it to her, many grown men have tried to stand their ground against me and failed. Yet this woman? Open. Clear. Not backing down and fully faces responsibility from actions taken and thrown her way.
“Okay, you two,” Gracy quips and breaks our stare down. “Let’s head for the limousine. Some of us have other places to be later today and since it looks like neither of you will break the connection first, I’ll just punch my brother’s arm and make him lose this round.”
My head swings her way and I shoot her a fake scowl. All I get in return is a dashing grin.
“I was hoping to spend more time with you,” Caterina says to my sister and her face is carved with genuine regret.
Or she’s faking it. Dammit. I unravel every single person I encounter. For one can’t risk playing with lives if you’re head of the Famiglia. And this woman has been in my presence for a mere few minutes and I’ve questioned her sincerity more than once already. That to think I need to marry this woman and I have no clue if she’s going to drop a bomb on me or not.
“She’s my sister, the two of you are bound to run into each other sometime soon,” I casually tell Caterina.
Gracy shoots her a sweet smile. “Eddie and I will be gone for the next few days. We’ve agreed to house sit for our friends, Chance and Aubrey. They are leaving for a short vacation and we’re going to look after their pet goat, Pixy.”
“A pet goat?” Caterina gasps. “I absolutely love animals.”
I can see the genuine interest sparkling in her eyes and it’s laced with the same look she gave me when she talked about not playing me, and the same look when she told Gracy she would like to spend more time with her.
“We’re not getting any pets,” I tell her in an effort to rile her up and see what her facial reaction will be.
Her gaze shifts toward me and I can clearly see sadness flicker for a second before it’s locked away.
She gives me a tight smile. “Understood. It was the same way back home since my father has allergies that prevented us from getting any pets. I used to volunteer at the animal shelter to get my love for animals fix. Hopefully you won’t object if I search for some volunteer work at a nearby shelter?”
Her voice. Vulnerability shimmers through and she sounds genuine.
“Of course he won’t object,” Gracy says and releases a chuckle as if it’s okay to speak for me.
“Gracy,” I hiss through clenched teeth.
She just snorts and smacks my fucking arm. My sister is really screwing with my ruthless status as head of the Famiglia.
Eddie wraps an arm around Gracy’s waist and pulls her against him. He raises his eyebrow at me in warning. Glad to know the President of Unruly Defenders does recognize my mood shift.
“Enough of this mindless chitchat, let’s head home,” I grumble and place my hand on Caterina’s lower back and guide her toward the exit.
We drop both Gracy and Eddie off at their house before we head to my home. Well, I guess it’s going to be Caterina’s home now too. Not the home of the fucker sitting across from me, that’s for sure. I’ll allow him to stay until the wedding in two weeks, but that’s it.
The limo comes to a stop and we patiently wait for Gian, the driver, to open the door. I get out and hold my hand out for Caterina. Her fingers slide over my palm and I have to say, everything about this woman is enthralling. All those hours stuck on a plane didn’t diminish one single inch of her beauty.
“Where would you like me to place their luggage, sir?” Gian asks.
The man has served my uncle for over twenty years and is now my personal driver. I only need his services when I have a meeting that needs the limo, otherwise I’m driving myself. Of course, he’s also valuable in other things besides being behind the wheel, he’s a loyal employee.
“Caterina’s can be placed in front of my bedroom. Show Mattia upstairs, he can pick one of the guest rooms,” I absently reply.
I’m guiding Caterina into the house. My first stop will be to my office where I’ll call Arturo and Leandro to meet me today instead of tomorrow. I need to surround myself with other people to prevent being alone with her.
We almost reach the office when Mattia asks, “Why doesn’t Caterina get one of the guest bedrooms?”
I stop in my tracks and slowly face him. There is no need to address the matter or so much as hand this idiot an explanation. But this fucker has been on my nerves since the second he got off the plane, his hands on the woman that was promised to me. The whole charade Caterina blabbered about to keep her friend and guard close feels like keeping her lover close with this fucker spitting out this fucking question.
“Mattia, it’s okay,” Caterina says in a sweet voice, adding to my fury and with it fueling the flame to my suspicions of them being lovers.
“Gian,” I bellow. “No need to bring Mattia’s luggage inside. He’s not staying here.”
Caterina sighs. “Mattia, can you give us a moment, please?”
Mattia’s eyes bounce between me and Caterina. He decides to ignore Caterina. “Are you going to discard traditions and take her before the wedding? Do you think being the head of the Famiglia allows you to breach rules and traditions and make your own?”
I raise my chin and give the idiot a smirk. “Good to know you do realize who’s the boss. Though you’re a fucking idiot if you think you can speak to me like that.”
“Mattia,” Caterina says, the name a firm reprimand and yet she barely raises her voice.
“No, Cat,” Mattia snaps.
“Cat? Nice familiarity, asshole. You fucked her good too? Is this why you’re nervous about her being in my bedroom? Afraid I’m going to find out she’s been dishonored? Did you think the two of you would have two weeks to kill me before the wedding takes place? Which would be the moment I discover my future wife was in fact deflowered by a mere soldier? I think you’ve overstayed your welcome. Deflowered or not, this bitch is promised to me. And it’s none of your damn business when, how, or if I take her.”