Arianna POV:
I didn't like the idea of going out and shopping and spending his dime, I felt slightly cheap doing it, but what would be worse was spending the day in his home trying not to think of all the horrible things that would be done to us by my father.
So I found myself putting on my coat and having my lovely bodyguards follow me to a car. I'm going off to spend the money of a man who had rescued me. Like the bad plot of a romance movie on some trashy television channel.
I decided to start with clothes because well he was right I hadn't brought a lot with me and I was very frantic in my packing so many of the things that I had brought weren't useful.
Clothing rack after clothing rack my mind drifted back to what he would be doing today. Would he be seeing my father? Would my father be seeing him? Would someone die?
I tried to focus on the pretty things in front of me and picture myself wearing them, but every time I did, my head was split open on the pavement somewhere, and my father was laughing manically above me.
Eventually, I grabbed myself some more jeans, a couple of sweaters, and another coat. I realized too the thin summer shoes on my feet were the only ones I had and the chill was entering the air.
So I went off to a shoe store to gather more shoes, perhaps that would pique my interest but again it didn't.
"You know I've never seen a woman look this miserable shoe shopping," Luca spoke beside me glancing around the store as we shopped.
"Well it's hard to find shoes pretty when I've sent your boss off to fight my battles for me," I grumbled.
How could I not feel guilty? I have made everything so complicated just with my existence. It was my fault that Gio had gotten involved. It was my fault that I came back and now here we were in the middle of an all out turf war.
"The battle was going to be waged either way, but now you and Gio just might be saved," he told me. I had no clue what he meant. If anything Gio and I were doomed, but I liked the thought and it calmed down to the point where I did find a pair of really cute boots.
I didn't buy anything too expensive, I knew Gio could afford it but I didn't feel as though I should be repaying his kindness by bankrupting him.
I found myself in a home goods store despite saying that I had done enough shopping for one day, it seemed my protection detail disagreed. I had a sinking feeling even if I had tried to stay home today I would have been in the same pillow aisle picking out things for my new room.
I looked them over trying to figure out a way to feel at home in the gray room with the white bedding and the white couch. If I were a little bit more vindictive, I would be splurging and buying myself a four-post mahogany bed and a red velvet couch just to torment him and his wallet. I decided against that though. I bought some new bedding and some throw pillows for the room.
I would have stopped there but I passed the kitchen section and the sterile kitchen popped into my head. Yes, he had everything a chef could need to make food but it was more gray countertops, white walls, and black cabinets. It felt like the kitchen of Patrick Bateman. A set of rustic canisters set out before me, old style with some fruit on them like you'd see in some Nonna's house.
I found myself putting them in the cart and then I pictured his den the only place in the house with a little character, the table with that god-awful gold ashtray in the middle. It stuck out like a sore thumb. I went off and found one that was much more to his taste, a redwood box with a silver inside, tame but mature.
The couch too it was bare, with no pillows, it had looked so uncomfortable. I went back to the dreaded pillow aisle and grabbed two black velvet pillows to place in the room. Luca must have realized what I was doing because he had a funny smirk on his face.
If I had to make myself at home I would make him do the same. I stopped for a second when I was reaching for some mugs. It dawned on me I was adding myself into his home, into his space. I had never done this with a man before.
The awkward moment this morning the attraction we had lingering between us once again entered my head. I moved away from the mugs and headed to check out, it was best that I didn't blur any lines. Doing this was just a thank you and it was his money anyway. I wasn't his woman, it wasn't my job to make his house a home.
I said this to myself but my mind ever contradicting itself when it came to that man. As I exited the store bags in tow I noticed a little deli on the opposite corner, salamis hanging in the window, and a sign for fresh pasta.
I suddenly was craving a good tortellini and some bread. I put the bags in the car and walked over to the deli. Luca followed me as his men fanned out to double check the entrances. I hadn't quite realized they must have double checked everywhere we went today, now I had thrown the plan of course.
Instead of arguing with me, they followed me, making sure everything was safe as I perused their pesto.
I would be sure to make enough for everyone then to thank them for looking after me. Growing up it was just my mother and I, she taught me to cook, and it must have been the lonely part of me but I always wanted to cook bigger meals for many people.
I gathered my supplies, the ricotta, fresh tomatoes, the pesto, the bread. I picked out a good sized pork loin too. Some mozzarella.
The bell to the deli dinged as I picked out some prosciutto for lunch tomorrow.
"There you are," a voice rang in my ears dragging my attention away.
"Guilia?" I stepped back in shock as my sister stood before me. "What?" I couldn't find the words. I had been texting her for weeks and she hadn't said a word to me now here she was my day out in the city.
I wanted to talk to her, to explain but my mind recalibrated. This wasn't coincidental, or her missing me. I saw her eyes too focused, her smile just the right amount of bright.
I kept my face up but stayed where I was. "How have you been,"
"Ugh Daddy has been in such a mood lately I need him to approve some purchases for the wedding you know the swans, the champagne wall, the white-gloved service," she wiggled her fingers at me.
"Yeah those all need to be locked down right away," I still felt uneasy my stomach clenching in that horrible way it had before I had fallen down this rabbit hole.
"You know it would be easier if you were home to help," her face twisted for a moment a split second, as if she had me where she wanted me.
"I'm not coming home Guilia," the sinking feeling grew as I realized the lie I had been ignoring. The awful truth that had been in front of my face.
"You and Gio would make such a delicious couple but I think Dad wants you home," she pushed, stepping forward and what killed me was the way I flinchingly stepped back.
My body knew. It knew she was a threat. I looked outside and there were two beaters outside full of men in suits some of whom I recognized from my father's office. I grabbed the Taser in my purse, I couldn't hurt her.
Could she hurt me?
"Ms. Caputo is staying with us," Luca stepped in between us his two men grabbing my groceries and the black SUV we had been in pulled up, with two more accompanying it.
Their men stepped out of the car a clear threat. Come and get us, give us a reason.
She turned to me after realizing she had been beaten. She pouted slightly to me. "Fine play house, but I'll need you sooner or later you're still my maid of honor,"
The way she acted made my hair stand on edge, I was at a loss for words as she bounced out of the store like we had just had a quick gossip session.
The man behind the counter was sweating and I saw him bend his head down and make the sign of the cross. Luca handed over a hundred dollar bill and thanked him for his trouble. The men outside made a wall for me as I was ushered out of the store and into the car.
My little sister, the sweet joyful light that I had been protecting and covering through all of this. She was aware of everything, and she was on his side.