Page 13 of Deceit For My Good Girl

Trying to sneak out while Mel is asleep is a lot harder than it seems.

I haven't had a meeting with my father in months, and anytime we do it's mostly to discuss yearly updates. For him to request my presence nearly four months before the time means something has come to his attention he feels needs to be addressed today.

I make my way down to thirty-ninth street and eighth avenue. My father has a small business right in the center of the garment district. It's strange watching my father sample some of the finest silks imported. For a man that could get someone killed with just a look, he knew exactly what kind of silk went best for a suit.

"Alexandre, come sit, boy." He says without looking up from the two fabric pieces in his hand.

I walk over to a chair and move the reams of silk, so I can take a seat. I don't rush him, just wait for my turn to get his attention. Once he finishes with the fabric, he places them down on a separate chair and trains his eyes on me.

He sits on the edge of his large mahogany desk and clasps his hands on his lap.

"Is there something you'd like to tell me?"

"No, Babbo." I answer quickly and faster than I can react. He flicks his hand and back slaps me across the face.

"Don't you lie to me, boy."

I want to tell him I'm not lying, but I know it'll just make things worse.

"Why is it I'm hearing about the Di Cesaro family finding the lost heir? I know that's not true because she's under your supervision which includes making sure no one of importance fucking sees her, so what is the contract about?" He leans forward.

"They didn't find her, but they may know where she might be. They don't have a definite location. Anyone that'd have a visual ID is dead, and I made sure she won't be going out on her own any longer." I rush to tell him.

"How exactly did you do that?"

"I claimed her as my own. I can keep a better eye on her this way. Make sure she isn't in the Di Cesaro's crosshairs."

His eyebrows jump up this forehead, "You claimed her as your own? Is that so? I don't remember giving you permission to do anything like that."

"I saw no other options. Unless you want me to divulge the real reason I've been hanging around with her for the past decade. When we were younger, it was easier, but now that she's grown, I can't keep her from living her life. I'm not her fucking captor, you told me you wanted me to be her best friend." I feel myself getting angry, but I need to keep my emotions in check, he may be my father, but I've seen him use the blood of our enemies to dye silk sheets for their widows.

"Indeed, I did, but somehow you thought that meant it would transfer over into being her lover. I'm fine with the arrangement, son. Just know it's a fine line you're treading on. We wouldn't want you to get too close to this girl and start an entire war over her now, would we?"

"I'm not too close to her. I'm going to keep her away from the Di Cesaro's and make sure no one messes with her, like I've been told. Once I finish with this assignment, maybe you will talk to me about having a seat at the table." I raise my eyes to his, not wanting to back down. If he sees just how important this is to me, he might withhold it further.

"We will discuss it as I promised, just make sure you keep that girl under control."

I nod my head once and stand to kiss him bye on both cheeks.

"You look good, son. Strong."

"I'm a Bianucci, Babbo. They don't make us any other way."

To that, he smiles with pride before he dismisses me.

I only have to make sure he doesn't find out Mel may be the only thing that can make me weak.

Seven

Melisande

"Xander…mmm. You're distracting me."

"I thought you wanted me to distract you. I mean, why else would you walk out here in that little tank top. You trying to make me come in my pants, Rabbit?" He palms my breast and squeezes the mound hard enough to have me arching off the bed.

"No, I'm trying to make up for all the time lost. I didn't know it could… I didn't know you could…"I can't even finish my sentence before he pulls me back down and attacks my mouth.

Over the past few days, I thought falling into a boyfriend and girlfriend routine would be strange for us, but it's as natural as breathing. Pretty much everything is the same, except instead of just avoiding touching each other, we can't keep our hands off each other.

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