Ruined in Vows (Marchetti Family #3)

9. Allegra

Chapter 9

Allegra

M y body jolts as we touch down on the runway of the private airfield in Las Vegas. Athena’s excitement is palpable as she squeals and claps next to me. My gaze shifts to Nico, the glare he throws in my best friend's direction has me smirking. My brother was never Athena’s biggest fan. I think it has something to do with the unrequited crush she has had on him for the last couple of years. Of course, I made Ocean aware of this. However, unlike Nico, she just laughed it off.

“What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas,” Athena giggles out the cliche, wiggling her brows suggestively.

“Nothing is going to happen in Vegas. And if you can't adhere to my rules, Athena, then I will have my pilot take you back to The Hamptons as soon as the rest of us have disembarked,” Nico barks out.

Athena rolls her eyes, gearing up to challenge him no doubt. Reaching down, I grab her hand. She glances at me, her brow raised in silent question. I shake my head, almost imperceptibly. “Stop antagonizing my brother and giving him excuses to send you back to New York,” I warn.

Athena may think that she is exempt from Nico’s wrath just because she is my best friend, but I know him well enough that he won't hesitate to send her back if she doesn't behave. Athena huffs, turning her head to the window but thankfully staying silent. I sigh. This trip was supposed to be fun. Yes, I knew my brother would be strict, with all his rules in place but still I thought he would loosen up a little. Glancing at him, I realize that maybe I was wrong. Somehow, he seems more tense than he has been in a long time. Is there more to this trip than he is letting on?

Shaking the thought away, I exhale a breath as we slowly roll down the runway before coming to a stop. Looking out the window, I take in the four black SUVs waiting for us with the dazzling lights of Vegas shining in the background. Whatever is going on with my brother, I am not going to let him ruin my fun this week. I plan on enjoying every second of my time here.

After all, soon, I will be locked in a gilded cage.

We make quick work of disembarking and getting loaded into the parked-up vehicles, only having to wait ten minutes for the staff to load all our luggage. The blacked-out SUV up front holds several guards. The second one holding Nico, Ocean, Romeo, and my brother’s now second in command, Matteo. Me, Athena, Mamma and Marcia, are in the third vehicle, with Alessio and Gio and the fourth is full of another set of guards. Overkill? Maybe. But Nico clearly believes it’s necessary.

The trip from the airport to the Diamond Luxe Hotel, which is conveniently located on the strip, takes around twenty minutes. We file into the underground parking garage, coming to a stop next to what looks to be an elevator bank. On quick inspection, I find a sign that reads.

Private Elevators for Penthouse Suites only.

I don't wait for one of the guards to open my door, instead pushing it open and climbing outside. My gaze finds Nico, who is in deep conversation with Matteo, no doubt reiterating the rules and everything that will happen during our time here. Ocean steps up beside him, Romeo sleeping peacefully in her arms. I smile, my chest aching with that same loss, but I quickly shove it away, reaching up and fingering the cross dangling from my neck. It’s Dante’s necklace and though he never gifted it to me, I recently found it in some of his belongings that he left in the room he used at my house. It’s probably morbid, wearing it, but now he will be with me everywhere I go.

“Right, we have full use of the top three floors. Ocean and I will take the penthouse.” He looks at me. “You, Athena and Mamma, have the three-bedroom suite on the floor below. Alessio, Matteo and Gio will have the other suite on that floor and the remaining guards and Marcia will use the rooms on the floor below that. For the duration of our stay, our floors will be off limits for any other guests staying here. They will not be able to access any level we are using. I will have guards on patrol twenty-four seven and they will be roaming the halls for our safety. No one will be able to get in or out.” His gaze narrows on Athena, who is now beside me. “So don't even think about trying to evade security and going off on your own free will.”

“We won't,” I rush out before my best friend can say something that will have my brother locking us down completely.

“Good,” Nico replies, taking his son from his wife and grabbing her hand. “Now everyone has a couple of hours to rest and get cleaned up. I have made dinner reservations at Cote Cut for eight p.m. Be ready for seven thirty.” His words leave no room for argument, so we all nod our agreement.

Looking pleased with himself, he pulls Ocean toward the elevator with only one button, The Penthouse, and they step inside before they disappear when the doors close.

“Come on, mia figlia . Let’s go and get settled.” A smile pulls at Mamma’s lips as she takes my hand. “Don’t worry about your brother being a dictator. He will relax in time. He is just a little more on edge with us all here. Give him a couple of days to settle and I am sure he will be less stressed.”

Sighing, I shake my head. “I love that he wants to protect us, but sometimes he can be a real asshole.”

Mamma chuckles softly as we make our way to the elevator. “Though sometimes overkill, it is all done with us in mind.”

“A hot asshole,” Athena adds.

We all laugh, climbing into the elevator. I glance at my best friend, my brow raised. “It’s never going to happen. You’ve seen how he looks at his wife.” It’s a fact, not a question.

Athena sighs. “Yeah. I know. Still, there is no harm in looking. I mean he is very pretty to look at after all.”