Protecting The Principessa (Complete)

~ Chapter 7 ~

Adriano walked into the house, pausing as he felt the tension, which he found almost funny. What the hell happened in the few minutes that he was outside talking to Carlo about any issues? His eyes darted from Sara to Sienna who was still holding Ignazia's arm and back to Sara, the glare in her eyes speaking volumes. Well, this was not what he wanted, but he can't say he didn't expect it.

"So, mom, I was going to ask..." the voice trailed off as Adriano turned around and glanced over at Stefano. "You're Ignazia?" he questioned and Sara snorted.

"Yeah, the fat cow it seems. Mom," Sara said, turning around to look at Mariana, "you can't really mean for this...woman...to stay here, can you? She doesn't fit in with us."

"Now Sara, that's not very nice to say. Ignazia is a sister, just like Sienna and..."

"Mom, she is not!" Adriano had to cover his laugh as Sara almost stomped the ground with her foot. He turned his head as he caught sight of Ignazia staring at him and he could read the look in her eyes plain as day. Yeah, he questioned a lot of the time how he got stuck with Sara as a fiancé rather than another woman. But Ignazia had her secrets, and he had his, and it had nothing to do with her, nor was it something he was going to get into.

"Sara, stop, you're not a child," Carlo said, walking to the group. "Kids, this is Ignazia, your step-sister, and I would love for you to be a little nicer. Thank you Sienna for making her feel welcome."

"I always wanted a sister that was nice!" Sienna piped up and Adriano once more had to cough to cover his laugh. There was no denying that Sara was the most spoiled of the three children and what was odd was that no one was quite certain why that was. She wasn't doted on more than others, but she was given a lot more things, especially since she whined so very well, a trait she picked up easily enough and used all the time.

"Sara, how about you and I go outside," Adriano offered, stepping over to her and taking her arm. He wasn't sure why, but he didn't think he could bear to watch another scene or another temper tantrum.

"Please, honey, get me away from her. How you could stand to be with her all night is quite beyond me. She's not even a pretty thing to look at." Adriano glanced back over his shoulder and caught Ignazia rolling her eyes and this time, he didn't stop the chuckle. She glanced at him as she heard and returned the smile, something that was passed just between them. Adriano led Sara outside and had her sit down in the lounge chair.

"Was that necessary?" Sara glanced at him and rolled her eyes.
"Did you take a fancy to her or something?" Adriano pulled the seat opposite her out and shook his head.

"No, but Ignazia had quite the blow and you being a bitch is not needed, you know." He folded his hands and sat them on the table as he looked at Sara. "Sienna will look up to her, does that piss you off?" Sara snorted at that before grabbing a cigarette and lit it up.

"Hardly," she said as she took a deep drag. "Sienna is a little girl who loves strays and that's all Ignazia is." Adriano had to mentally shake his head at that. No, the struggle he had with that woman meant she couldn't be labeled a stray because she followed no one. She didn't want to come here, didn't want anything to do with this, so no, Ignazia was not a stray. Granted, he couldn't tell Sara that, not that she would care but he was positive she would find a way to use something like that against her.

"Why do you claim her as such?" he questioned.

"She's following daddy around, using him, and trying to get what she wants." Adriano tilted his head as he watched Sara. Funny that she would state when she did the same thing, but of course, that wouldn't be something she would pick up on. Ignazia was only three years older than Sara and yet it seemed like Sara tended to be more of a kid than Sienna was! With that, Adriano leaned back in his chair, his eyes going to the window. The family had stayed in the same spot it seemed while they discussed whatever it was. And he had to admit, he was very curious about what it was. "Are you listening to me?" Adriano sighed before turning back to Sara. Their union was not based on love or respect; it was based upon a need and an order from his boss. Carlo wanted the blood to continue in the family and the only man he trusted to keep the end of the deal solid was Adriano. And sometimes, just sometimes, Adriano saw it as a curse to be so good at his job.

"I'm sorry, Sara. I have a lot to think about and you bitching about your step-sibling is not one of them." With that, Sara narrowed her eyes at Adriano but he didn't care. He knew it would be a hell of a rocky marriage and he was almost certain that he wouldn't be allowed to sleep around until Sara was pregnant.

"It should be, Adriano! Daddy is going to make her go to all the functions and did you see how fat she is? She's going to represent this family and she's ugly! That God-awful hair and those eyes. And don't even get me started on her clothes or what's going to look good on her! I mean, she's going to ruin the name that we have built up!" Funny that she put the 'we' in there when she hadn't done anything. In fact, he often wondered how the hell Carlo didn't go broke with a daughter like Sara wanting so much.

"Look, Sara, Ignazia is different, sure, but I highly doubt she's going to ruin whatever image you have. Besides, it's not like you and she will be running in the same circles or anything. Believe me, that woman wants as little to do with you, as you do with her." Sara stubbed out her cigarette and stood up. He was hoping to have eased her anger but he could see with that comment that it only fueled it more. She stormed into the house and he got up to quickly follow her, cursing his slip of the tongue. She stopped right before Ignazia who merely lifted a brow at her and at the intrusion.

"What?" Ignazia asked, crossing her arms. Adriano smiled at Sienna who glanced between her older siblings and then ran off with Stefano. Yeah, things might get ugly and it was best to probably have everyone leave the area.

"While here, it's best if we avoid each other. You aren't wanted, Ignazia." Adriano watched as she started to smirk and glanced back in the direction that both Carlo and Mariana went, as well as Sienna.

"I couldn't agree more on the avoiding. However, I don't think I'm unwanted. Because if that was the case, my ass would still be at my house, not in this one, or with anyone that is an associate of Carlo's. Let's remember that, shall we?" Sara snickered at that.

"You know nothing of this world," Sara told her.

"You are fucking right on that, Sara, I don't, nor do I want to."
"I could take you out in an instant and you wouldn't see it coming. Although if I were to fight you, I might have a hard time getting your huge ass on the ground." Ignazia rolled her eyes but she just shrugged.

"You could think you could take me on, but you'd lose. Don't underestimate me just because you think I'm fat and have no clue. I'm not stupid nor spoiled, like others but I won't share who." Sara growled at Ignazia, her anger mounting even more.

"Well, stay away from me and the things I hold dear, like my fiancé here." And with that, Sara grabbed Adriano's arm and hauled him closer. Sure, she held Adriano real dear. Most everyone knew their relationship was in appearance only, that there was no love. Ignazia glanced at him before looking back at her and busted out laughing.

"Oh, God damn you are crazy! Trust me; your little hands can keep that man because I want nothing to do with him!" Adriano stiffened slightly at those words and he wasn't sure why but he knew they bothered him. "And you, princess-want-to-be can keep whatever status quo you think I want. Because I really don't like him or this life and want nothing to do with." Again, Ignazia paused but with her next words, Adriano wanted to applaud her for standing her ground. "But I am stuck here, not by my doing, but those of my father. So if you have a fucking bone to pick, take it up with him because this isn't my doing. And you can bet your fucking ass I won't be staying here. I fear that listening to you bitch and whine will make me take up gun lessons just to make sure I can shut you up properly." And with that, Adriano smirked as she turned on her heel and walked away.