Page 6 of Deadly Don's Baby Contract

"I'm ready," I say loudly.

He stands up and walks up to me. He sniffs the air, but he doesn't pull a face.

"Do you like the perfume I'm wearing?"

"Why do you care?" he says, frowning.

"Look, we clearly got off on the wrong foot," I say. "Can we just start again?"

"I don't do second chances," he says. "Come on. I'm starving."

I frown and follow him, upset that I'm already making a bad impression.

We walk down back to the first entrance hall and through another hallway, out some French double doors onto a deck where there is a huge spread of food waiting for us. Marco is already there with what must be his father and mother.

"We're here," Franco announces, going to sit next to Marco. I stand with my hands clasped in front of me.

"Ah, this must be my future daughter-in-law." Marco's father says. "I am Jean-Luca, and this is my wife Sofia."

I move forward as he takes my hands in his. "You must be Aria. You are more beautiful than Dominique told us."

I smile shyly. "Thank you for your kindness and for accepting the marriage proposal. It is most appreciated."

"Family is everything to us, Aria. That is the first thing you must learn. Never betray this family, and you will live a beautiful life."

Sofia gets up and comes to me, hugging me. "Giulia, my daughter, is out, but she will be so happy to meet you when she's back."

"I'm excited to meet her, too," I say. "How should I address you both?"

"Well, you will call me Papa and Sofia Mama," Jean-Luca says. "We are family now. Formalities fall away."

Franco clears his throat. "Can we eat? I haven't had anything to eat yet, and I'm starving."

"Maybe if you and your brother didn't drink whiskey on empty stomachs, you wouldn't feel so rough," Sofia scolds him.

I love her already.

Franco looks at me and smirks. "I'm sure your new princess is hungry, too."

"I'm famished, and I can't wait to learn how to manage such a vast home. You must be exhausted, Mama."

"It isn't easy," Sofia gestures for me to sit beside her, opposite Marco and Franco, "But having staff on hand makes it easier. It's all about managing them."

Jean-Luca dishes up his breakfast, then Marco and Franco, then Sofia and I. We start to eat, and I sit quietly and simply listen to Jean-Luca and Marco discuss work. They don't seem to be shy about discussing it in front of me, which is very telling. Franco, on the other hand, is eying me out suspiciously.

I look directly at him, and our eyes lock on each other. He smirks, and I wonder what he's thinking when his gaze falls to my breasts. I frown and shift in my seat. He's enjoying making me uncomfortable. I block his view while I eat, turning slightly.

He chuckles softly, and I know the rest of his family doesn't notice. I finish my food. It's delicious—a rich, creamy pasta alfredo with some garlic bread and a glass of wine.

"If you'll excuse me, I'm really tired. I'm going to go sit in the sun and cross-stitch."

"Isn't that for old women?" Franco asks.

"Nonsense, Franco," Sofia says. "It's very fashionable these days. I might take it up myself again."

"It would be lovely to sit with you," I smile. I stand up and walk back toward the house. I hear a chair scraping and turn to see Franco following me.

"Personal bodyguard, remember?" he asks. He's brought his bowl and fork with him and eats while we walk back to our wing. He walks slightly ahead of me and finishes eating just before we reach my room.

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