Page 14 of The Beast of London & His Pet

“What are you doing here?” she said in a whisper scream.

“Is this your bedroom?” I said, walking up to the window.

“Answer the question. You said you would leave my grandparents alone if I did what you said,” she hissed quietly. “I did everything.”

I turned to face her before I spoke. “I decided to keep you,” I said with a smile.

She rubbed her hand over her face. “This is why I keep telling you to get help.”

“Did you, or did you not, cum all over my face two days ago?”

“What does that have to do with the price ofcannoli siciliani?” she said, but her face turned bright red.Sicilian cannoli.

I grinned because I realised she said inane things that made no sense when stressed or put on the spot.

“I’m here with my family to ask your grandfather for your hand in marriage,” I said.

Her back hit the door, and she slid to the floor to place her head onto her knees.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” she whispered. “I don't want to marry you or anyone else for that matter.”

“I changed my mind, six months isn't enough. All you need to do is accept your fate as I have,” I said cheerfully. “I can see the headlines now, the Beast’s Bride.”

If I were to drive someone crazy for the rest of my life, it should be with someone equally as crazy as me. I didn't relaythis to her because she was too busy groaning and repeatedly banging the back of her head on the door.

Chapter 8

Francesca

It was difficult to believe that Gavino and Rosa had sired Alessio. It made him seem a little more human. He kept pawing me with his meaty hands, joked, and made it seem like we were a couple in love. My Nonno wasn't buying it, but my Nonna was lapping it up. She loved her romantic serials, though, and Alessio was charming when he wanted to be. He vanished with Nonno for a good twenty-five minutes, and my grandfather returned with a smile. He raised a toast for the ‘happy’ couple.

Me?

I stayed in my pyjamas wearing my pink bunny robe and watched the drama unfold. Both families were planning the wedding. The whole time, Alessio sat back with a smug smile plastered across his face. When they were about to leave, Alessio messaged me and told me to get ready that he would pick me up for dinner, to which I made a puking sign from behind my grandparents' back.

As soon as the door closed, my Nonno was on me like white on rice, which left me no choice but to stick to the cover story because I didn't want them involved in Alessio’s messy criminal life.

“Are you sure he is the one,mia cara? I know what line of work they are in,” Nonno said when Nonna left the room.

I thought back to two nights ago and ignored every single red flag to nod my head.

“He is the one, Nonno,” I said because I would do whatever Alessio said if it kept my grandparents safe.

???

“Wow, you look beautiful,” Alessio said, eyeing me up and down.

“Don’t get too excited. My Nonna made me wear the dress,” I muttered as he led me to the car.

Nero sat in the driver's seat.

“Ms Nardini,” he said stiffly.

“I take it you no longer want to kill me?” I said brightly.

He grunted.

“Nope, wives are always shown respect,” Alessio said as he sat beside me. “You might as well call her Mrs Caruso now.”

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