Page 11 of Doll's Eye

That obviously piques her interest. “You’d start giving me responsibilities before we’re married?”

“I could. Not much until we’re official, but I would love to see what you’re capable of. I could also teach you some things if you would like to learn.” She nods her head. “Then one month, Alessia.”

Her chest rises and falls as she takes a deep breath in and then out. “And you won’t try and control me, Massimo?” Her voice is abnormally raw.

“I will never try to control you, Alessia. I enjoy your ferocity and will not try and tame you. If anything, I’d like to give you wings, not clip them.”

Her nostrils flare as she stares at me. My eyes meander around her face and down the slender column of her neck, anxious to sink my teeth into it. “Okay.”

“Then we agree to everything we’ve discussed?”

“Fidelity from this moment on, frequent sex starting the night of the wedding—”

“Or whenever you want.”

Her copper eyes dance in delight as she shakes her head with a smirk. “I move into a separate room at the estate in one month, and we will share a bedroom once we are officially married. Did I cover everything?”

“I would also like you to always have one of my men with you whenever you leave the estate. Starting now, that is. If you arenot inside your estate or mine, I want you protected.” She opens that sassy mouth of hers, and I hold a hand up to stop her. “I know very well how capable you are in protecting yourself, but I would like you as safe as possible, Alessia. Being a Bonetti already gives you enemies, when everyone discovers we are to be married, they will double in numbers.”

With a heavy sigh, she holds her gaze with mine. Thinking, plotting, deciding, analyzing. “Seems like I’m not getting anything I want.”

“Aren’t you? I see that your father knows you aren’t somedebutant,only good for marrying off for his benefit, but he’s still stuck in his ways and very old school. You’re still a woman and will never get the respect you deserve.” Her face hardens, but she must understand that I’m only giving it to her straight since she doesn’t comment. “I promise to make you feel useful and use you to your utmost potential. Isn’t that something you want?”

“It is.”

“And sex, of course. You require sex, and I am willing to uphold that end of the deal.” My antics to lighten the mood seem to work as her face softens again, and she cracks a smile.

“Starting the night of the wedding.”

“I’ll leave that entirely up to you,cara mia.” She tries to hide her smile with her drink. “Are we in complete agreement now?”

“I’d say so.”

“Then, in that case.” I reach into my pocket and pull out the jewelry box. Her eyes bore into it as if it were a snake ready to bite, cautious but unafraid. Splitting the box open, I present her with an engagement ring. Those brown eyes of hers widen as she gawks at the large diamond ring. It wasn’t easy to find a ring fit for my queen.

“Cazzo.”Fuck, she says on an exhale, and her eyes dart up to mine.

“May I?” She clears her throat, and it looks like she’s wiping her hands in her lap before giving me her left one. I cradle it as gently as it is delicate and slip the ring into place. It fits her perfectly in size and character. She certainly wears the ring well, as diamonds do not get much more regal than this.

“It’s beautiful,” she says, looking down at it. “Thank you, Massimo.”

“You’re welcome, Alessia.”

Chapter six

Alessia

“Wow. Holy mother Mary.” Fia beams down at my ring as she obsesses over it. “I mean…wow. I just…”

I giggle as she tries to find words for it, and I don’t blame her. I was speechless as well when he gave it to me. It’s at least a seven-carrot pear-shaped diamond on a rose gold band. The large diamond against my small hand makes it look even more massive. It’ll easily split through meaty flesh if I were to punch someone in the face with it. And I love it.

“Yeah, it’s pretty amazing, isn’t it?” I pry my hand from hers, and she pouts. Sighing, I walk over to the lounger and lie down.

“So, tell me everything. Did you guys kiss goodnight or anything?” She plops down in the lounger with me, making me scoot to share.

“No, we didn’t kiss goodnight. It was more of a business dinner than a date.”

“Whatever. Spill.”

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