"I wouldn't cry over him if I were you," Gino said with a wide smile. He looked so different from Ethan, with charming blue eyes and nut-brown hair that seemed to catch the light.
"What are you doing here? You're supposed to be with your brother right now." The thought that the first man I ever felt something for was about to be married off shattered my heart, forcing tears to my eyes. I had imagined being in his arms once again after that night, maybe even starting something new. But it seemed he was never meant for me.
"And not with you?" Gino asked, his wide-eyed expression both playful and probing. "You think if I had the choice between Alessia Edoardo or Ethan Vincenzo, I would choose him?"
His words stung. Why was he talking like he was at odds with his brother when they had clearly come here together?
"I had your father speed things up when I saw you back there," he leaned in closer, whispering in my ear. I recoiled, a chill running down my spine. His presence alone made me uncomfortable. "I know about your little escapade with Ethan two weeks ago."
My heart raced. I gasped in shock—I'm ruined! How could he know? I fought to mask my surprise, feigning ignorance.
"I don't know what you're talking about," I replied firmly, my voice trembling slightly.
"You don't know?" He scoffed, reaching to hold my face, but I cringed away in disgust. What the hell was he thinking?
"Don't worry, I forgive you. The fact that you banged your sister's fiancé is enough to make you lose face, but..."
"Who says she would lose face, Gino?" Ethan's powerful voice cut through the air, drawing my gaze to him. The world seemed to pause as I took in his face again, and my heart thumped rapidly in my chest. Just the sight of him sent a familiar thrill through me as I remembered his powerful thrusts from the night, two weeks ago. That night had been magic!
I stood to face him, rubbing my sweating palms together. What was he doing here? How was I supposed to control this tension with two brothers arguing before me?
"I'm not saying that, brother. I won't intentionally hurt her pride," Gino replied with a half-smile, but the tension hung thick in the air.
Ethan curled his hand around my waist possessively, as if marking his territory. My heart raced—he had made it clear he didn't want anything to do with a twenty-year-old! And he had called me a teenager! Then what the fuck is he doing around me!
I wanted to push his hand away, but I couldn't move. I felt paralyzed by the electrifying thrill of his touch, a warmth settling deep within me. His smell of lavender filled my nose and turned me on.
The heated glare between the brothers grew with each passing second, and I silently hoped this wasn't about me. I wanted no part in this conflict.
Gino was the first to break the stare, turning to me with a smile that sent shivers down my spine. "I will meet you at the table, Alessia."
As soon as Gino turned away, I pushed myself out of Ethan's grip and met his face with a satisfying slap. "How dare you touch me? It was a one-night stand!" How could he have forgotten what he said to me so soon!
He didn't even flinch, instead he grabbed my shoulders, glaring daggers at me. "Don't you ever try that again! Comprendere?"
"Really?" I shrugged off his hands. "I'll do it again to remind you that your bride, my sister, is waiting for her fiancé in there!" I pointed towards the house in annoyance. Why was he still lingering around me?
He sighed, running a frustrated hand through his hair. "It's you that I want. I only tried to protect you. I didn't think it was wise to introduce you to my life. That's why I had to act that way, Paffuto..."
"Don't call me that!" I shot back sharply. "The Ethan who could call me that is long gone! You belong to my sister now. Go back to her."
Yet, Ethan held my waist again, pulling me into his chest. His head dipped closer, and I could feel his hot breath against my cheek. I shut my eyes, trying to absorb the moment, the rush of being close to him again.
He kissed my forehead, a gentle gesture that sent a wave of longing through me. "I haven't been myself since that night. I know I shouldn't have said those things to you, but I had no choice. I didn't want to cause you more pain. You've already been through so much with your parents, and being closer to me would only hurt you more."
He was trying to protect me from his world, from the dangers in his mafia world. He is the mafia boss and sure, he is always involved in violence.
He held me even closer to him. Tears pooled in my eyes. God! How I missed his touch and his kisses! But this wasn't right! He was going to be engaged to my sister today, and here I was, wanting him.
I placed my hands on his chest, creating a barrier as his throbbing bulge excited my core. "But I realized I was a fool to let you go," he continued, lifting my face to meet his gaze. His brown eyes locked onto mine, and I felt lost in their depths as his lips slowly aimed for mine.
At the last moment, I turned my face away, and he kissed my neck instead. I trembled under his soft mouth against my skin. "This isn't right, Ethan. Please stay away from me." I broke free from his embrace, running back to the house, desperate for escape. I didn't look back, hoping no one had seen us.
"Where have you been, Alessia?" my step-mom's voice sliced through my thoughts as soon as I was in the room. She was the first to spot me. Panic surged within me. I just wanted to retreat to my room, to shut the door and block out the chaos.
"I didn't see the wine I told you the Vincenzos liked. What are you doing? Do you want to disgrace us before our guests?" She fired with spite.
"Please, step-mom, I'm not in the mood for this. I just want to go to my room. There are servants here for this. Get them to bring the wine you want."
"How dare you challenge me! What has given you the nerve!" Francesca shouted and I was slightly frightened by her outburst
Everyone's eyes turned to us, and I wished the ground would swallow me whole. Francesca turned to the Vincenzos at the table with a forced smile. "Oh, sorry to disturb you with this. It's just a little family matter."
She turned back to me, teeth clenched. "I will deal with you after this. Ragazza inutile." (Useless girl).
I glared at her, and her shock at my defiance only fueled my resolve. I wasn't some servant to be ordered around! This was my father's house, and I refuse to feel uncomfortable here any longer.
"Alessia dear, come over to the table." My father's calm voice cut through the tension, surprising me with its warmth.
At that moment, Ethan stepped in, glancing at me. I ignored his gaze, my heart still racing as I walked toward my father at the table.
I scanned the faces of the people seated around the table. Ethan had just taken his seat opposite Sofia, while Gino was calmly seated beside her. Then there was Maya, my father, and my stepmother, who returned with the wine. Andrea, my little brother, was sitting close to my father. I was glad he was here.
"Sit," my father said, pointing to a seat beside Ethan. I was about to decline when I met my father's hard gaze, signaling that I had no other option.
Once I had taken my seat, the party began. All the while, I felt Ethan's eyes on me, watching each movement I made. Suddenly, his fingers were on my thigh, caressing it softly. I shot my eyes open and held my breath. Was he aware that he was sitting before his fiancée and her family?
"Alessia, about what we discussed," my father began. "You're going to be married off today, just like your sister."
I struggled to keep my composure as Ethan's fingers found their way into my thighs, caressing my skin gently and setting my body on fire.
"Father, please, I don't want to get married right now," I said through gritted teeth as I pushed Ethan's fingers away. But soon enough, he returned, folded my gown neatly and began snaking his fingers all the way to my panties. He rubbed around my thighs up to my soaking panties and circled his thumb on my throbbing core.
I moaned in pleasure, and all eyes focused on me. I coughed dryly to hide my embarrassment and luckily, nobody suspected a thing.
"The thing is—the deal has changed. You are getting married to Ethan instead," father stated with a flat voice.
What?