A Debt To Pay (Leone Legacy #1)

Chapter 7

Luci

28 Days Until The Wedding

I n the morning I walk to the bathroom, still half awake. Instead of the small Jack and Jill bathroom that attaches my bedroom to Mamma’s room, I run into a wall.

“Ugh . . . ouch. What the? Oh no!” I gasp, suddenly remembering that I am still a prisoner in this stupid bedroom in this stupid house. Deciding it’s too early and I’m too un-caffeinated to deal with this, I continue with my regular morning routine. Maybe if I play nice with whoever is outside the bedroom, he will bring me some coffee. I fantasize about a cold brew with oat milk and caramel as I turn on the light in the bathroom. I blink several times, my brain needing a second—more like five—to process what’s in front of me.

“Holy wow.” I’m taken aback by the beauty of the bathroom. Thank goodness I didn’t destroy this room. Yes, I was in here last night, but I wasn’t paying attention. You know, too busy being angry about being kidnapped. I walk into the bathroom, first noticing that it’s larger than my bedroom and bathroom back home combined. The bathroom is filled with white tile, light gray cabinets, and a Hollywood-style vanity mirror in between dual sinks to sit at while getting ready. On the other side, a massive standing shower with a large bench, and the deepest bathtub I’ve ever seen. I’m claiming the tub as my favorite part of this space. For a second, I forget I was kidnapped and relish the beauty of this space. I’m giggling until I notice what I’ve done to the bedroom and my smile collapses as I fall to my knees.

Guilt takes over as I take in the once flawless space I’ve destroyed. I sigh as I stand up and go to turn on the shower, steam quickly filling the bathroom. I wish I could curl up on the floor and cry. Cry that someone took me, cry that I may never see my family again, cry that I can’t escape, and—most importantly—cry that I flirted with a dangerous man. Except for Nonno, every boy who’s stepped into my life has been toxic. First my papa, the man I never knew. Then my secret high school boyfriend, the boy who broke my heart. And now Alessandro, the man who kidnapped me. The moments we’ve had together have been vague and untrustworthy, but for a second in that bar, I was drawn to him, something I can’t explain. I turn up the water as far as it will go, shoving any thought of Alessandro away. I wait until the water runs cold and wrap myself in a towel, groaning when I realize I left my clothes in the bedroom. When I step out of the bathroom I’m startled when I notice Alessandro sitting on the edge of the unmade bed.

“What are you doing here? Do you understand the concept of knocking? I’m naked under here you know!” I’m unsure why I mentioned that last bit, but I’m pretty sure my face is turning pinker by the second.

My eyebrows raise when a small chuckle leaves his lips, impressed that he has the ability to laugh. “I’m here to talk. I know what knocking is, but seeing that this is my house and you’ll be my wife, I don’t find it necessary to knock. Also, I hope you’re naked under there. You should show me.”

I scoff at his misogyny, honestly shocked that he thinks he can talk to me—or any woman—with that kind of mouth. “Does that honestly work on women?”

“I don’t know. Does your attitude usually work on men?” He stares at me like he broke the code.

I cross my arms over my chest. “Considering I’m an only child and an only grandchild—yes. My nonno spoils me, along with Mamma and Nonna, as much as he can. Also, not that it’s any of your business. I don’t need to use attitude with men because I’m rarely around any. My nonno doesn’t allow me to date.” I cringe after I let the words escape. What woman in her twenties isn’t allowed to date because her nonno says no? Me.

“Ah, I see. Here you will want for nothing because I will give you anything you want and need.” I find myself clenching around nothing, my body betraying me when Alessandro scans down my towel-covered body.

“Then I want to go home!” I cut him off, even though I’m sure he had more to say.

He stands and backs me into the ruined dresser, crowding my petite frame with his. While he’s not as big as the other men I’ve met who work for him, he’s still a foot taller than my five-foot-two frame. I gasp, my eyes wide while my hands grab onto the dresser, letting my towel almost fall in the process. I grasp onto it for dear life, worrying about him seeing my naked frame.

“Do not interrupt me!” He backs away, picking up the contract he left for me to read. “As I’m sure you’ve read, you and I will get married a month from today. You will be in charge of planning your perfect wedding. My church’s priest, Father Angelo, will come over to marry us. That way, our marriage will be blessed in the eyes of God. A small gathering of our immediate families, friends I approve of, and close business associates will be in attendance. All the other plans are up to you. I’m giving you this month to plan the wedding you want. It’s the least I can do. During this process and after our wedding, the amount of freedom you have depends on you and your behavior. I will keep you locked in this bedroom if I have to. As you earn my trust, you’ll have more freedom around here, but you’ll have less freedom when you misbehave. Going off the property will only happen with me when I see fit. If you try to sneak away, I will put a tracker in you, and trust me Luci I don’t make idle threats. Stella and Aldo may have been able to run away, but trust me when I say I’ve made sure you couldn’t even if you tried. I have no issues sticking you downstairs in a cold concrete room if I think you don’t appreciate this bedroom I’ve set up for you. Do you understand?”

He’s stopped pacing around and is now close enough that I can smell the coffee on his breath mixed with the citrus and amber of his cologne. My heart races and I know he can sense my anxiety by the way he stares at the heavy rise and fall of my chest. “I-I understand.”

He scans my body like he wants to devour me, causing warmth to spread through my body and wetness to develop between my legs. Before leaving, he steps even closer, forcing his erection against me. I grasp the towel closer to me, terrified of what may happen next.

He backs up and adjusts his sleeves as he clears his throat. “Good girl. Now get dressed and I’ll have some breakfast brought up for you.” He pounds on the door, someone opening it as he walks out of the room, and I’m thankful I’m finally alone again.

My body shakes as I try to calm down my body’s need for touch. I’ve never had this reaction to anyone’s touch, even my own, and that was a lot more intimate.

“Screw it.” I lay down on the bed, sending my hand down my body and in between my legs. I’m sensitive enough that a slight brush of my fingers against my clit causes a spark to go through my body. I close my eyes, trying to think of anything to fantasize about besides Alessandro. Alessandro’s handsome face pops into my head, an infuriating reminder that my body has this reaction to him. I tell myself he either has a small penis or doesn’t know what to do with it. Let’s be honest, I know the first one isn’t true by the several interactions I’ve had with him and I doubt the second one is a lie.

While growing up, I never thought I’d give my virginity to a man who kidnapped me. Now that’s the only thing I can think of. Come on! Not even a book boyfriend or a cute actor from a movie? I imagine his weight on top of me, making sure I’m ready to receive a man for the first time. I doubt he would be gentle, but somehow that arouses me more. The thrill that he would take what he wants with the knowledge that an intimate part of me will be his forever. The one thing I can only give to someone once. I internally punish myself, knowing I shouldn’t want it this way. My hand speeds up, knowing my body is close to climax. My body is ready to tip over when I hear the scan of a fingerprint at the door.

“Really?” I whisper before yelling, “One second! I’m not dressed.”

It doesn’t matter because whoever is at the door slides a cup of coffee and a plate of food inside without being seen. Do any of these people understand the concept of privacy while a lady is getting dressed? I sigh, frustrated, but decide to get dressed and eat. Maybe this was God’s way of saying I shouldn’t finish my fantasy of Alessandro. Technically, regardless of who I was thinking of, touching my body intimately is considered a sin. Shaking my head, I concentrate on what’s important, getting out of here.

My favorite coffee tempts me as it sits on the tray that’s been placed inside the door. I dress quickly, and grab the coffee, pushing the food to the side. For now, I’ll focus on surviving and finding a way to leave this house forever.