Ruined in Vows (Marchetti Family #3)

18. Allegra

Chapter 18

Allegra

The past…

E xcitement bubbles in my stomach as I pace the spacious entryway waiting for my brother Nico, and his best friend – the love of my life – Dante to arrive. They haven’t visited in what feels like forever, but one call to Nico where I laid a complete guilt trip on him, had him canceling all other plans and coming home to see his little sister.

Sure, I have missed my brother, but my motives aren’t exactly pure. I know without a doubt that he will bring Dante with him. They are practically glued at the hip and have been best friends since birth. Where one goes, the other is not far behind.

I remember the first time I realized my feelings for Dante were more than familial, the moment I knew I was in love with him. I was fourteen, way too young for his twenty-four years of age, but nonetheless, my feelings were real. I knew it with every interaction, every innocent touch, and the protective way he looked out for me. To Dante, it was in a brotherly way, but it only escalated the love I had for him further. I despised seeing him surrounded by women and did everything in my power to sabotage any relationship he may have considered. It was manipulative, out of line, but if I couldn’t have him no other woman could. Despite my sabotaging ways, I wasn’t na?ve enough to think he was celibate.

By the time I reached sixteen, I realized Dante with other women was the least of my worries. Being born into this life, I knew how it worked. I would eventually be entered into an arranged marriage of my papà’s choosing. Whoever he picked for me would be with the intention to bring more power, money and secure alliances with the other families. Still, I held onto hope that I could convince Papà to choose Dante for me. I would be happy with Dante. And I know I could make him happy.

It’s now two weeks before my eighteenth birthday. Though my body has been changing the last couple of years, and I now have womanly curves, what I really want is for Dante to finally start seeing me as a woman and not just Nico’s little sister. It’s wishful thinking but I am nothing if not determined. If he won’t see me, then I will have to make him.

Coming to a stop in front of the floor length mirror in the entryway, I smooth down my hair and check that my makeup is in place. My gaze shifts to my outfit. A cute, long sleeve, tan, sweater dress with collar and bow paired with some suede Chelsea ankle boots with a small chunky heel. I made sure to change out of the compulsory school uniform I arrived home in. Don’t need anything reminding the object of my affection that I am in fact a schoolgirl.

“What are you doing, honey?” I freeze at the sound of my mamma’s voice, spinning around to face her. My cheeks heat when she throws me a knowing look, a smirk playing on her lips because she no doubt caught me checking myself out.

I clear my throat. “Nothing. Nico will be home soon. I wanted to greet him.”

She smiles. “Uh uh. I’m sure it has nothing to do with Dante.”

My eyes widen. Have I been that obvious? I step toward her, looking around for any sign of my father, but thankfully don’t see him. “Shh, Papà might hear you.”

A hint of concern flashes in her blue eyes before she covers it by plastering on a smile. “Don’t ever change that big heart of yours, mia figlia. No matter where this life might take you. Keep wearing the love you show like a badge of honor.”

I frown, wondering what she could possibly mean, but don’t have time to question it because the door is shoved open, startling me. My brother stands in the doorway, but it’s the shadow behind him that has my heart racing.

Dante.

He is here.

“Mia figlio,” Mamma coos, moving toward Nico and wrapping him in a hug as if he is a small child and not a six-foot two mafia prince. But I can’t focus on the way she coddles my brother right now. Because by embracing Nico, she has revealed Dante.

My heart stalls in my chest, pulse kicking up to an unnatural rhythm as I take him in. Tall and muscular with dark hair and eyes he is surely every woman’s wet dream. The thought makes me purse my lips in annoyance. But I can't deny it’s the truth. I mean, there have been many a night where I have touched myself to thoughts of this man. Found an orgasm with his name on my lips.

My body heats in remembrance. The way I stifled my moans in my pillow, while I rode my fingers to thoughts of the forbidden. Jesus. Did someone just turn the temperature up in here? My eyes meet Dante’s. His chocolate eyes blaze with something that looks a lot like desire as he takes me in. His gaze trails over every inch of me, burning my skin in its wake before looking away.

“Dante,” I greet a little breathily.

His jaw clenches, and I frown, not understanding why he seems... angry with me. “Little Leg,” he responds softly, though it’s at odds with the tension radiating from him.

“Sister,” Nico finally addresses me.

Though I want to study Dante further, I turn to my brother, plastering on a big smile. He takes me in a hug, dropping a kiss in my hair. Despite being ten years older than me, we have always had a good relationship.

“Hey, Nic,” I whisper into his chest before wriggling out of his hold and shooting him a glare. “Why haven’t you visited? It’s been so long since we saw you.”

He rolls his eyes, tapping me on the nose. “Because I have been busy. Not all of us can be a mafia princess and lounge the days away.”

Narrowing my eyes, I fold my arms across my chest, offended. “I go to school. Plus, I have my hobbies. What do you expect me to do, Nic? It’s not like Papà will just let me leave this place.”

He chuckles, amusement lighting up his face when he moves past me, no doubt toward the kitchen, to where Mamma’s famous lasagna is. He calls over his shoulder. “I’m just messing with you, Leg.”

Mamma follows, leaving me alone with him.

Turning back around to face Dante, my skin prickles with awareness and need when I see his stance. He leans against the wall, legs crossed at the ankles, watching me with a lazy stare. My mouth goes dry, pulse going haywire. Tearing my gaze away from his face, I let it roam his body. Why does he have to be so goddamn hot?

My eyes snap to him when his deep timbre breaks the silence. “You look good, Allegra. All grown up.”

I blush, squirming under his attention. “Well, I am eighteen in a couple of weeks,” I tease.

He freezes. And I internally kick myself that I reminded him that I’m not of age yet. Gathering himself, he pushes off the wall, striding past me and avoiding eye contact. “Jail bait,” he mutters under his breath, no doubt hoping I don’t hear it. I grin, having heard it clearly.

Even though he knows it is wrong, he is clearly affected by me.

My eyes squeeze shut, head dropping back to my shoulders as I smile up at the ceiling in satisfaction.

Today Dante looked at me differently than normal… and without restraint.

It’s been a long time coming but I think I finally did it.

I made Dante look at me in the way I have wanted him to for what feels like forever.

As a woman.

It’s finally my eighteenth birthday.

Because of the nature of my papà’s business, I am unable to have a big party and I wouldn’t want that anyway. I only have a mere handful of friends and to be honest, that’s how I like it.

To celebrate my turning eighteen, my family and a couple of friends are going to New York City for dinner at one of my family's restaurants.

Athena - my best friend - along with Raven and Lillia are at my house getting ready with me before we, along with Mamma, charter my papà’s helicopter into the city where we will meet him, my brother and Dante.

Butterflies take flight in my stomach just thinking about my brother’s best friend. Things have … changed between us in the last couple of weeks. And though Dante has been the usual perfect gentleman, I haven’t missed the possessiveness he exhibits toward me. The heated looks he throws my way when he thinks that I’m not looking.

Silly man.

Does he not realize by now, I am always aware of his presence?

Would always seek him out and know exactly where he is in a room full of people?

Clearly not, if he thinks he is being inconspicuous.

So many times, I have almost called him out on it, but I held myself back, wanting to broach the subject tonight.

Now that I am legal and there are no excuses for him to push me away, I can’t think of a better time to do it.

The restaurant is alive with patrons as we make our way through the main area to our private room, surrounded by guards. We could have made use of the private elevator, used mainly for high profile guests looking for discretion, but I didn’t want to hide away. I want to make the most of my time in the city.

Sashaying through the tables, Mamma in front and my friends behind me, we make our way to our seats. My smile is wide, the excitement of what is going to happen almost too much. I feel sexy in my above the knee, tight gold dress and matching pumps. There is no way Dante can ignore me tonight, not when I have pulled out all the stops to gain his attention.

Entering the private dining area, I come to a stop, my breath hitching when my gaze lands on Dante at the bar. He wears a three-piece navy-blue suit like it was made for him and I have never seen such a beautiful sight.

“Stop being so obvious. Your papà is looking this way,” Athena whispers in my ear, snapping me from my trance. My eyes shift, noticing my father, brother and the balloons decorating the room, for the first time. I mean I knew they were here, but when Dante is around me everyone else seems to fade into the background.

Plastering on a smile, I take small steps toward Papà who is leaning against the bar. He eyes me suspiciously, taking a sip of expensive scotch.

“Papà,” I greet, hugging him and hoping to distract him from whatever he thinks he saw.

Placing his glass on the bar top, he places his hands on my shoulders, kissing one cheek then the other. “Happy birthday, sweetheart,” he murmurs, his lips curved up in a subtle smile. He has never been overly affectionate, so I will take it.

“Thank you,” I reply, beaming at him. It’s times like this that I like my papà, but they are fleeting. Ninety nine percent of the time he is a controlling tyrant.

Before he can say more, I turn to face my brother. He takes me in a hug, whispering in my ear, “Happy eighteenth birthday, Leg.” He pulls back, producing a gift bag.

Taking it from him, I slide my hand inside, pulling out a small black velvet box. Flipping the lid open, I gasp at the sight of the earrings staring back at me. They must be at least two carats. My assumption is proven correct when Nico speaks. “Two Carat, brilliant cut, platinum, pear shaped stud earrings.”

“I love them.” I murmur.

He smiles. “Good. A special gift for a special birthday.”

“Nice. Can I expect the same for my eighteenth birthday,” Athena teases, staring at my brother with heart eyes. Just like I knew he would, he ignores her completely, turning back to the bar and reaching for his drink. “I take it that was a no,” Athena mumbles and I can’t help the snort that leaves me.

“Shall we sit? Dinner is being served at eight.” Mamma looks down at the Rolex on her wrist, a gift from my papà - no doubt for one of his many transgressions.

“Let the girls get a drink first, Val,” Papà grunts, waving for the server. He appears with a tray full of glasses filled with pink sparkling liquid. Pink champagne. We are all handed a glass and before I can take a sip, Papà adds. “Dom Perignon Plenitude 2.”

“Let’s get some pictures before we drink.” Lillia says excitedly, pulling her cell phone from her purse.

I resist a groan. Though I have never had any kind of social media account, for obvious reasons, my friends all have them and are constantly posting every facet of their lives. It’s always been a source of contention within my friend group, especially when they want to post me across their accounts, and I have to reject their requests. For my own safety, and my family’s, it is better for my face not to be plastered everywhere. Something my friends don’t understand.

“Where will these pictures end up?” I ask pointedly.

Lillia rolls her eyes. “I know the deal, Allegra. No faces on social media. Let's get one of us clinking glasses. At least then we have something to remember your birthday by.” She smiles.

“Okay,” I agree, following Lillia’s instructions as she takes several pictures of the four of us clinking glasses.

When we are done, I sip my champagne slowly, awareness trickling through my veins when I feel eyes on me. Glancing around, I find Dante in conversation with my brother, but his eyes are on me. It’s only then, I remember I haven’t spoken to him since I arrived.

Finding my papà distracted with Mamma, I make my way over to them. Dante’s lips curve up into a smile the closer I get, and I can’t help my own forming.

“Hey,” I say, coming up to stand beside him.

He curls one hand around my waist, pulling me in close as he presses a kiss to my cheek. My breath hitches in my throat. Dante has always been nice to me, but he has never openly touched me, kissed me, or been so reckless with his affections.

“Happy birthday, principessa,” he murmurs, sliding his hand in his pocket and pulling out a familiar red box with gold scripted writing. My eyes snap to his, chest heaving with the quickness of my pulse. Is this what I think it is? He hands it to me, clearing his throat. “I know you’ve wanted this for a while now.”

My heart hammers in my chest as I unclasp the box and flip the lid. Emotion clogs my throat when I see the white gold, Brushed Love Bracelet, sitting on the red cushion. Does he… my thoughts trail off and I shake my head. But… this has to mean something right? It is a love bracelet after all.

“Thank you,” I whisper, meeting his gaze. His face is his usual blank mask, but I see a hint of something more in his brown eyes.

“You are very welcome, principessa.”

“What is it?” my brother's voice breaks our bubble, and I swear Dante takes a step away from me. I glance at Nico to find him frowning down at the box in my hand curiously.

“It’s the love bracelet that I have wanted for a while now,” I tell him.

He chuckles. “You know you could have just asked Mamma to get it for you and she would have.”

I shake my head. “I didn’t want Mamma to buy it for me. I wanted it to…” I trail off, clamping my mouth shut before I say something I shouldn’t. Something like, I wanted it to mean something, which is why I always brought it up when I was around Dante.

“Okay,” Nico says, his gaze bouncing between us. “Well, let’s sit. Everyone is waiting for us.” I look over my shoulder to find my family and friends sitting around the table, all eyes on us.

But it’s my papà’s stare that concerns me the most.

There is something undecipherable in his eyes, but whatever it is, chills me to the bone.

Instead of questioning it, I smile, placing my gift from Dante in my purse,hoping no one asks me about it.

And not because I am embarrassed about it, I want nothing more than to show it to the world. But I have a feeling that if it is discussed, it will open a can of worms.

One I won’t be able to come back from.