Page 13 of Obsessive Love

I'm lucky to have been able to go to college and do what I've wanted to do over the years. I've been allowed a taste of freedom and if I have to give all of that up to protect and help my family, then I will. I won't be happy about it, but I'll make it work.

Maybe it won't be as bad as I'm expecting.

We've been sitting in my father's office for almost an hour now. So far, he's given me a rundown on the family, telling me that Alessandro, Jericho's father, is ruthless and has no care for people, especially women. Jericho is his eldest son and is preparing to take over from his father, which is why I'm being wed to him.

I've also been warned about his younger brother, Kaleb. Apparently, he's unhinged and uncontrollable, and that's why he's the one who's sent out to do all of the messy jobs.

"This is all written down for you, Sophia. I want you to promise me that you will take the time to read all of thisinformation repeatedly until it's engraved in your mind. You must always remain cautious around Alessandro, and if you're ever around the younger brother, please behave. We haven't managed to find much out about him, which makes me think that they're hiding something and that worries me," my father tells me, his voice stern and laced with concern.

"I'll be fine, Pops. I'll have Jaylen with me, and according to all of you, I won't be trapped inside the house and I'll be able to stay and go as I please, so I'm sure I'll be fine,"

"Sophia, I'm still worried. The only reason I've agreed to this deal is because of the pesky Americans trying to infiltrate London and commandeer our business. Alessandro has also informed me that many of his men are winding up dead on his doorstep and he suspects it's them. Linking the King and Rossi families together will be very beneficial to us all, but I also worry that it may be dangerous for you."

I take a sip of my wine and smile at my father, hoping to ease some of his anxiety.

"Jaylen and Dominic have trained me a little over the years, so I know how to look after myself, plus, you've briefed me on the family. I know not to mention their mother, especially in the presence of Alessandro. I'll make sure that I act like the doting, ditzy bride everyone expects me to be when I'm in public, and I won't be nosey and get involved in any of their business dealings. I'll be fine, Pops. Trust me."

He watches me for a moment before sighing and letting his shoulders slump as he relaxes into his leather chair.

"You're so much like your mother."

"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" I ask, genuinely curious.

He laughs and shakes his head.

"It's neither good nor bad, darling."

"It's terrifying if you ask me," Jaylen chimes in from where he's resting against the door. "After that scene in the kitchen,I really hope you're nothing like your mother, Soph. Otherwise, I'll be warning your future husband away from you."

The smile fades from my face and my eyes drop to the wooden desk, staring at the folder my father's given me with all the information he could gather on the Rossi family.

"There'll be no need for that. Mum is the way she is because she loves and cares for Pops. I don't think I'll have that issue," I sigh, blinking away the tears beginning to gather in my eyes. I pick up the folder before standing from my chair. "I'll be here tomorrow at noon so we can meet with Alessandro and Jericho," I state before turning and hurrying out of the room, not wanting to talk about this dreaded wedding any longer.

Chapter Nine

Sophia

"Darling, here's another one for you to try!" my mother shouts as she slings another white puffy dress towards the shop assistant who's organising all of my mother's choices on the clothes rail by the dressing rooms. The assistant hurriedly places the wedding dress with the array of others as my mother wanders off to find some more.

Jess squeezes my hand and leans back on the comfy sofa we're sitting on, huffing when she hears my mother's squeal from the other side of the bridal store.

"You want me to distract her whilst you throw out half of those dresses on that rail?" she asks, turning her face to look at me. I eye the dresses and sigh, shaking my head.

"Let her do it. She's happy that she's getting to do this with me, even if it is for a wedding that I don't want. I don't want to take that away from her. Also, she has decently good taste, so I'm sure I'll find at least one dress in that pile I'll happily wear when I walk down the aisle to meet my death."

Jess snorts as she laughs at my comment.

"Here we go again with the dramatics, Soph."

"In my defence, I'm marrying the man next in line to be the head of the Rossi family, and this wedding will be combine their family with ours. My life is going to be filled with so much drama, I just know it. There's bound to be some sort of attempt on my life or my future husband's life once the Americans get wind of this upcoming wedding. They'll either think that it's real and come after me in the hopes that he'll care, or they'll see it for the sham that it is and try to do something to him once he's officially labelled as the head of the Rossi clan," I tell her, sighing as my mother drags another couple dresses over.

"Such a negative Nancy," Jess whispers, standing up and walking over to the rail, sliding through the options.

"Right, I'm done," my mother announces, adding the last two dresses to her growing collection. "Now, darling, let's put some music on and have a little boogie whilst you try these on!"

I can't stop the giggle that passes my lips as she shimmies over to me and pulls me up from the sofa, pushing me toward the dressing room.

After spending at least two hours trying on every wedding dress my mother picked out, we all agreed on a simple, lace-detailed dress for me to have on my wedding day. Although I'm not excited about this wedding, I must admit I'm excited to dress up and be pampered for the day.

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