Page 23 of Memento Mori
As I moved towards them, Antonio’s grip around my waist tightened, guiding me towards Alessandro.
“Alessandro, could you take Aaliyah to Papa’s study, while I have a conversation with your mother? I will join you in a few minutes.”
“My mother?” Alessandro’s laughter echoed through the room. “When did she just become my mother, Antonio?”
Antonio glared at Alessandro, and I gripped Antonio’s chin forcing him to look at me. “You handle it, Antonio, or I will. She knows we are engaged and even if she doesn’t like it, she will respect it.”
He pressed his lips against mine in a kiss. I wiped the lipstick off with my thumb after pulling away from him. “No worries, Bella. I love you, forever,” he said.
“And I love you always.”
“Come on gorgeous,” Alessandro said. “Let’s get out of his way.”
I linked my arm with Alessandro’s as he guided me away from the approaching disaster. Marianna was who she was. If she didn’t like me, I wouldn’t force things between us. But she would quickly see I wasn’t like the women of the Five Families. I wasn’t docile and I sure as hell wouldn’t be a doormat. Abasi raised me to be a queen. And I would be Donna. She’d get used to it, or I’d handle her, and it wouldn’t be pretty.
“Excuse my mother,” Alessandro said, bringing me out of my thoughts. “She’s still set in the old ways.”
“She may be set in the old ways, but my grace will only extend so far, Alessandro.”
“Oooh, beautiful and deadly.” He laughed. “I should have jumped on you before Tony got his hooks into you.”
“You’re crazy,” I said, laughing.
I was so glad Alessandro was here. He’d become like a brother to me and a protector but most of all he could make me laugh even when I wanted to do nothing more than slice his mother’s throat.
Outside his father’s study, I took a deep breath. The Don had been nothing but gracious every time I had been around him, but it was still nerve-wracking to be here. This was my futurefather-in-law. He was trusting his son to pick the best person to stand by his side to continue a legacy that went back more than a hundred and fifty years. And Antonio had picked me. I saw it as an honor to represent the Rizzo family as their Donna.
“Are you ready?” Alessandro asked, his infectious smile somewhat calming my nerves some.
“I’m always ready.”
“That’s my girl.”
He winked, then knocked on the door.
“Come in!” a firm voice boomed through the thick wood of the ornate study doors.
Alessandro led the way, opening a door and pulling me inside, his grip on my arm never loosening. Antonio Rizzo, Sr stood behind a large oak desk. The smile on his face was so much like his son’s it was almost looking at Tony thirty-five years in the future.
Although Alessandro already let us know their father was not happy with the Lombardo’s being in his house today, I couldn’t tell it by his expression.
He stepped from behind his desk and met me in the center of the room with his arms outstretched. “It’s so good to see you again,Aaliyah.” He kissed me on one cheek then the other. “I’m so glad you could make it today.”
“Thank you, for having me, Mr. Rizzo.”
“None of that Mr. Rizzo stuff. You are going to be my daughter, call me Papa.”
My heart warmed. Abasi had been the only father figure in my life. No one could replace him, but I wanted a close relationship with my father-in-law, too.
“Okay, Papa. I like the sound of that.”
The smile on his face grew wider. “Me too. I’d like for you to meet, Marco Lombardo,” he said, motioning to the man sitting in front of his desk.
Although the man stood, with a smile, it didn’t reach his eyes. He wasn’t happy I was here, and I knew why. I was in the place he wanted his daughter. However, his feelings or hers didn’t matter. Antonio was mine.
I nodded my head in acknowledgement and maintained a smile. But I didn’t speak, and he didn’t speak to me, giving me a slight nod in return.
“Tony is having a chat with mother,” Alessandro said with humor in his voice. “He said he’d be in here momentarily.”
