“What?” I glanced at the food in my hand. Then set it on the counter. “No. That’s not… I’m not eating it because I’m trying to not appear bloated for cameras today.”
“You what?” He stood, his chair screeching behind him before he rounded the counter.
“They’ll put all our pictures in the tabloids and I don’t want to look like I ate–”
He picked up the fork and stabbed the rest of the crepe onto it while a string of Italian flew from his mouth. His other hand went to the nape of my neck. “Open,ragazza.”
“Bast–”
He pushed past his name with the fork and the food was in my mouth before I could protest. I didn’t. The taste was absolutely delightful as always. I grabbed his wrist and pushed it back to remove the fork though.
I shook my head at him as I chewed.
He watched my mouth the whole time and then pulled me close, his hand combing down my locks. “I want you this way. Full. Bright eyed and free. Don’t change anything. Not your clothes. Not your hair. Nothing. We go in twenty, huh?”
With that, he released me and disappeared to his room.
He left me speechless, my heart pitter pattering over and over again loud enough to drown out all my reservations about the day.
I flew back into my room and cut the thread of a bracelet of flattened stones. I pulled most off the string and then retied it just big enough to fit a man’s finger.
Sebastian Armanelli would wear my ring too. He might belong to his family as Bastian, the man who accommodated most, but Sebastian with his commands and his possessiveness was pulling me to him and like Grandma had said in her letter, I was making a quick decision to figure out where he’d take me.
The ceremony was fast,most likely because we both stood there with our hands folded in front of the judge, not willing to recite vows. None of those things mattered. We were crossing Ts and dotting I’s to make sure I’d get the shares so I could sell to him.
As we walked out of the courthouse, flashing lights bombarded us. Questions flew from every direction as a hoard of paparazzi descended upon us. Even if Bastian hadn’t cared, I was happy I’d changed into a flowy white beach dress.
Someone had tipped them off. Bastian pulled me close and pushed through the crowd and suddenly suits surrounded us, escorting us to the Rolls Royce. Bastian’s hand was on my back as he made sure I got in the car safely. Then he turned and actually smiled at the men and women photographing us.
“Morina Armanelli is beautiful, isn’t she?” He waited as they threw out more questions. His voice carried through the crowd. “She’s beautiful and she’smine. Now and forever. Make sure you write the last part everywhere.” Then, he folded into the seat beside me.
The security got into another SUV. As our driver maneuvered the car away from the crowd, I breathed out.
“Jesus. That was all a bit over the top.” I turned to Bastian. “Especially you.”
Bastian didn’t respond. Instead, he told the driver to go to Tropical Oil.
“Guess we’re right on schedule.” I turned the ring I’d made on my thumb over and over again. I hadn’t given it to him in the courthouse, not sure what to say in front of a judge who pretty much knew this was a marriage of convenience.
“It’s the perfect way to get the word out, Morina. You’re an Untouchable now. The media will tell the syndicates and families.”
“Right.” I shoved my hand into the pockets of my dress, not sure I wanted to give him the ring on my thumb at all anymore.
“It was an honorary title for a very long time. In my world, it still is.”
“Did your parents marry?” I asked, not really sure I wanted to know but he talked about his world like I might have something to learn about.
“My mother…” He sighed. “Yes. My mother loved my father and agreed to marrying him only after a few months. He wasn’t a good husband but she was a good wife. She even called my fathermi amoreon her last day alive.”
“So, they loved each other?”
“Yes. And that’s probably what killed her.” Pain laced his words like maybe a part of him had died with her too.
People left and we left them too in death. It wasn’t always a choice. I reminded myself of that every day.
“She loved you too though. I can tell.”
“She should have loved herself enough to leave. And she should have taken us with her,” he ground out. “Sometimes, it pays to be bold and go against the people you love most.”