𝗛𝗶𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗰𝗵

11 - Kiss of the Don.

When I looked at Alessandro, it was obvious he was rattled. His face was all tense, and his eyes found mine with this intense look, sending me some kind of silent plea or warning. I couldn't tell if he was trying to intimidate me or begging me not to let the truth slip-that this marriage was no love story, that it had nothing to do with romance. Just from that look, I knew how much Geoffrey mattered to him; he didn't want to mess up the image this man had of him.

Geoffrey seemed like a genuinely good man, radiating this warmth that could probably ease even the hardest of souls. His smile was kind and sincere, the sort of smile that made you want to believe in people. He wasn't the type who would take kindly to kidnapping, forced marriage, or anything remotely like that. I held a power Alessandro had wielded against me-to wreck whatever bond they shared, to let Geoffrey see who Alessandro really was, the way Alessandro had destroyed my relationship with my own father and Miguel. I'd be justified, maybe even vindicated. But somehow, I couldn't bring myself to shatter someone else's trust like that. It just wasn't in me to enjoy someone else's pain.

The awkwardness grew so heavy between us that I felt an urge to cut through it. "You know," I said, aiming for a light tone, "life has a funny way of putting people together. Sometimes in the strangest ways." I tried to laugh. "But here we are."

"I never thought I'd see the day you'd marry, Alessandro," Geoffrey said with a touch of pride. "Where did you meet this beautiful young woman, my boy? Women like her are rare."

"Her father and mine are in the same business," Alessandro replied, his gaze holding mine firmly. "That's how we met."

"Yeah," I added with a forced laugh. "Not like he kidnapped me and forced me to marry him or anything." I tried to make it sound like a joke, even though we both knew it wasn't.

Catching Alessandro's gaze for that brief second was enough to make my stomach tighten. There was something stormy behind his eyes, a strong kind of emotion that he was barely containing. As unnerving as it was, I also felt a strange satisfaction-I'd given him an out without making it obvious and by the look on his face, he'd clearly gotten my drift. He seemed relieved, like he'd caught the lifeline I threw him.

Geoffrey's hearty laugh broke the silence, lifting some of the tension. He patted the table, still chuckling as he looked between Alessandro and me. "Life has a funny way of pulling the strings, doesn't it? No one has a clear roadmap for what's in store."

Alessandro pushed his chair back and stood abruptly, glancing toward the door. "I need to step out for a bit," he said, his voice a touch colder than usual. "Geoff, can you stay with Yasenia until I get back?"

Geoffrey nodded with a warm, reassuring smile. "Of course. You know I don't mind one bit, take all the time you need," he replied, already gathering dishes as if he belonged here.

I followed Alessandro to the door, calling after him. "Where are you going?"

"Just some things I have to take care of. You'll be alright here with Geoff," he said, giving me a nod before stepping outside.