Page 57 of Christmas with the Mafia
“An arranged marriage.”
I squeeze him tightly, sorry for his plight, and he nuzzles against my neck and hisses, “I won’t play his game. I will marry the person I choose, not him, and just so you know, right now that person is you.”
“Marriage!”
I pull back and stare at him in shock.
“I know we’re fake engaged, but would you really marry me to prove a point?”
“Of course. I like to win.”
He shrugs, his expression now cold and calculating. Indecision creeps in, and my fuzzy feeling of happiness is fast deserting me as I learn the true nature of my business here. I am in the middle of a full-blown family war, and it’s not me Nico wants, just what I can prevent.
Twenty-Eight
NICO
Honesty isn’tsomething that comes naturally to me, and I’m surprised that I laid my cards on the line.
However, being here, surrounded by ruthless energy, I’m reminded of how dirty my father plays the game. This life doesn’t come wrapped in a gift bow; it comes drenched in blood, and I’ll be damned if I add mine to that.
So, Regina must understand her part in this before I feed her to the wolves.
She is quiet as we dry off and as we change in my dressing room; conversation is minimal. I hate the chill between us, but it’s a necessary one.
As I help her into the shimmering creation that glides over her skin as if it’s on rails, a strange lump catches in my throat as I observe her hesitancy when she stares at me with none of the happiness she had earlier.
“Do you think I measure up?”
“You exceed expectations.”
Her smile dims, and I hate how cold that sounded. Yes, I expect a lot from Regina—a virtual stranger—and I’mwondering if I have done the right thing in using her at all. I’m surprised at how much I like her. I never expected to and as I fasten the diamond choker around her neck, my fingers brush against her skin and it shocks me how I dip my lips to her neck, breathing in deeply the scent of a woman who I never expected to be so delightful.
“Tell me what to expect.”
She shivers as my breath dusts against her skin, and my voice is husky as I whisper, “We will dine as a family before our guests arrive tomorrow. We always dress for dinner at the insistence of my father. He has standards that haven’t slipped, and we are expected to follow his rules at all times.”
“It’s not a bad rule though, is it? I mean, I’m loving playing dress up, but part of me would enjoy myself just as much if I were wearing loungewear.”
“Which you never will in his presence.”
I sigh as I spin her around to face me, and as I gaze into her eyes, I attempt to drive some warmth into mine.
“My brothers are like me, closed, unemotional bastards so it’s no wonder my mom is happy you are here.”
“I guess.”
Regina’s smile is soft, delightful and like a breath of fresh air. She shimmers like a goddess all in black, the sequins of her dress catching the light from the chandelier. The diamond choker merely shines against her beauty, causing her to dazzle like the brightest star in the blackest night. Her heels are black Louboutins, and she stands tall before me, her dark hair pulled into a chignon, her large smoky eyes a particularly stunning feature.
She is now world’s away from the shivering creature I rescued from the red carpet and with a soft smile I ease herworried frown away with my fingers and whisper, “You are beautiful Regina and I have every faith in you to win my family over.”
“But what if they hate me? I’m not gonna lie, Nico, I’m a little nervous about that, and this woman who will arrive tomorrow, she will be pissed that I’m here at all.”
Imagining Desiree’s rage brings a smile to my face, and my grin is a genuine one. “Just be yourself, baby girl, and they will love you, and as for Desiree Bendetti, leave her to me.”
My tone is ominous because I will shut that particular threat down before the first course of the celebration Christmas Eve banquet my mother always provides.
My heart is heavy as I take Regina’s hand, and as we head out of the dressing room toward our fate, I am praying that Regina is up to the job.
