Page 8 of Bianca's Choice

4

Stefano

As Madame Lilith promised, Keely sent over the contract and details of the auction. I looked through them with Luca, my younger brother, and my family lawyer. He made sure I knew the important details, although I could tell he thought I was being foolish. I couldn’t blame him, finding a wife like this isn’t traditional, but I don’t have time to fall in love as our mother and father did. Hell, I don’t even know if I can love someone the way my father loves my mother. In the deep recesses of my soul, I hope there is someone out there for me and I pray she’s at the auction because I’m only getting married once.

Yesterday a messenger delivered the catalog of women up for auction. I let it sit unopened on my desk for hours until everyone had gone home for the night and it was just me and a bottle of Macallan. I loosened my tie and drained my glass before pouring another drink and opening the catalog.

I flipped through several pages not seeing anything that piqued my interest until I landed on her and my dick sprung to life. “Bianca,” I murmured, trying her name out on my tongue as I traced the curve of her hip on the page. Fuck. She’s a petite little thing, with long brown hair, and blue eyes I could stare into for days. She’s wearing a white lace bra and panty set that are more innocent than what some of the other women have on. I swear to God she looks like an angel. I rip her page out of the catalog and throw the book in the lit fireplace. I won’t be needing it anymore. Bianca is going to be mine.

I call Enzo and have him run a background check on Bianca and tell him to forward everything to me as soon as he finds out. By the time I make it home, I’ve got her file in my email for me to peruse. My heart aches for what she and her brother had to endure the last few months, and I vow to make it better for them. I just hope it doesn’t take her too long to come around to the idea of me as her husband because waiting is going to be a trial in my patience, of which I have none.

Now I’m sitting in a room, watching the auction from a large monitor. The first several women come to the stage while I wait, not so patiently, for Bianca to set foot up there. Then her name is called and the goddess herself steps out onto the stage. My dick is harder than granite as she walks slowly towards the couch. When the first bid is announced my little goddess trips over herself. Fuck, she’s adorable. After the third bid, at ten million dollars, I’ve had enough. I hate that so many men have seen her this exposed.

“Twenty-five million. And if any other mother fucker bids on her just know I’ll top it.”

I hear the announcer call for any last bids before announcing I’ve won. Of course, I won. Losing wasn’t an option.

I peek my head out of the room and see one of the women in the hallway. “I need to speak with you, now.”

“Yes, Mr. Russo. What can I do for you?” She asks.

“I’m not waiting twenty-four hours before claiming her. What do I need to do to bring her home tonight?”

“One moment, I’ll see what I can do,” she smiles and makes a phone call.

A minute later she comes back to me. “If you’d like to pay extra, it will go directly to Bianca and you can leave with her right now.”

“Perfect.”

Ten minutes later I’m in the back of my town car waiting for Bianca to walk out of the mansion. Her things have just been put in the trunk of the car and I’m sitting here like a nervous teenager. The only people who know what I’m doing are Luca and Enzo. I’m sure my mother and father will know soon enough since no one can stay quiet in this damn town. The door to the mansion opens and out walks Madame Lilith with her arm swung around my woman who is wearing a pale pink robe that does nothing to hide her perfect body. Unable to wait any longer, I open the door and step out of the car.

Bianca stops in her tracks as soon as I’m out of the car. Starting at my feet, she looks up my body until she stops at my eyes and studies me. I don’t know what she was expecting to see, but I swear I see her eye me appreciatively before Madame Lilith prods her forward kindly.

I walk toward them, meeting them halfway. I take Bianca’s hand and lift it up to my lips, pressing a kiss to the top of her hand. “Come, we have much to discuss.” Her brows pull together as she looks at me in confusion then back at Madame Lilith who just smiles at her indulgently. “Madame Lilith, thank you for your help,” I tell her.

She nods. “Of course, I doubt you’ll need any of my help in the future. But if your brothers are in need of my assistance, feel free to send them my way,” She winks. Then she turns to my future bride. “Bianca, it was a pleasure to meet you, my dear. I wish you all the best,” She says, giving my woman a kiss on her cheek. A moment later she steps away, walking back up the path to the front door of the mansion.

“We should get going,” I say, and hold out my elbow for her to take my arm.

Bianca tilts her head and stares at me for a moment before looping her arm through mine. I walk us back to the town car and open the door for her to get in. Once she’s settled I close her door and walk around to the other side and get in.

“Gio, take us home,” I tell my longtime driver.

“Yes, Mr. Russo,” he says, and leaves the property.

The ride home is a quiet one, with Bianca sitting as far away from me as possible. I can feel how nervous she is even with the two feet of space she’s put between us as she hugs her side of the car. I hate that she’s feeling this way, but it only goes to show how pure and innocent she really is.

Gio pulls up to my home and inputs a code at the gate before it opens and he drives through. It closes behind him as he drives up the long driveway and parks in front of the house. He gets out and opens my door as soon as we’re parked.

“Thank you, Gio. I’ll get her door and see us inside. Please put her things in my office,” I tell him.

“Yes, sir.”

Walking around the back of the car, I take a deep breath and open her door. She stares up at me like I’m the Beast, she’s Beauty and I’m about to imprison her in my castle. She’s got good instincts. Holding out my hand, I offer it to her. Hesitantly she places her palm in my hand and I pull her out of the car, then I wrap my arm around her waist, holding her close to my side. “Welcome home, Bianca,” I murmur in her ear before walking her up the steps to our home.

“Home?” She asks, more to herself than me, so I ignore it.

Once inside, I walk us into the sitting room where a fire is already burning in the fireplace.

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