Protecting The Principessa (Complete)

~ Chapter 18 ~

Two days later, Ignazia stood outside the door to Adriano's office. This would probably be the first time she's really talked to him. Sure, they still rode to the club and back, but he gave off the distinct vibe that he wasn't up for talking, and she couldn't figure out why. There weren't any more attacks, and she was thankful for that. And there wasn't anyone hitting on her either, which sort of made her sad, but she wasn't dwelling on it. However, the time was up, and she needed Adriano's help, or she would suffer his anger for leaving without protection, something she just didn't want. She didn't think he was angry at her, seeing as she hadn't done anything, but she sure felt like he was pissed off at her, and she hated it. So, that gave her the vow that she would do everything in her power not to be on the receiving end of his anger.

She swallowed hard and raised her hand to knock, not understanding why she was scared, she never was. Izzy waited for a beat or two before raising her hand to knock again but Adriano yanked the door open. She almost wanted to take a step back when she saw the coldness in his eyes, and again, couldn't understand it. But rather than be timid or shy away from it, she narrowed her own gaze and shoved him aside as she stepped into the one room in all of his house that she hadn't been in. She even waltzed into his bedroom once, however that was because he told her to grab something from him that he forgot.

"What gives?" he asked, raising a brow at her but she wasn't backing down.

"What the fuck did I do to piss you off?" That had him giving her a confused look and she sighed. "For the last two days, you haven't talked to me, you've kept your distance and I don't know what the fuck I did! I think if you're going to be pissed at me, I should have a right to know what I did." She watched him as he sighed and ran his fingers through his hair, and she had to swallow hard again. She was never one to care for the sight but hell if he didn't look sexy doing it.

"It's not you." She had to mentally shake her head to remember what she asked.

"What is it then?" He shook his head before turning to look at her fully and she got lost in those eyes. For the first time, she really saw how long and curly those lashes were and she swore that men with lashes like that were illegal. Well, then again, just add it up to him, because a lot of things about him were illegal.

"I can't explain it, Ignazia, ma non sei tu (but it's not you). And I'm sorry that you've been getting the brunt end of that when you shouldn't have." She wanted to fight it, to demand more than that answer, but the look she saw buried in his eyes just made her nod. He was hiding something from her, about her, but she didn't think it was bad. She would let him have his secrets, as it was evident that she had hers.

"Okay, fine. Just don't be an asshole, you don't need to be." The side of his mouth lifted up and fuck if she didn't want to lean over and nibble at those lips! Okay, yeah, she was in need of getting laid and soon.

"Promise, I'll curb it. What brings you here?"

"Oh, that, um, I need to go shopping, for a dress, for a fancy dinner, and I can't go alone." Adriano fully smiled this time at how uncomfortable that statement was for her.

"Ah, yes, the fancy dinner at his hotel that the city puts on every year where the elite come and pretend to be all high and mighty while they forget they are mingling with some of the city's worst criminals. He's finally going to introduce you to society and every made man will know you're off limits."

"That being Mike and Santino, I'm assuming?" she asked.

"Mike, yes, Santino wouldn't be there though, he's not enough to rank on that guest list. However, word will spread." Adriano walked back to his desk and sat down, crossing his arms.