His Bambina

Chapter 28

"Aria." His voice is the one thing that manages to make my knees weak.
I try to keep my composure as I face the man approaching me. The man I once loved and would've trusted with my all. The man I have been avoiding for the past week.
"I need you ready in an hour." His words make my beast of a temper rustle inside of me.
"Actually, I have plans." I bounce on the balls of my feet ready to be anywhere but here.
"Well cancel them. We are getting you a dress for tomorrow."
As if I want to go shopping with him.
"No thanks. I already have an outfit."
Vincenzo rolls his eyes and looks at me unamused, "This is a very important event for my family and business. I'm buying you a dress."

Buying me a dress was an understatement. More like building me a gown.
We walked into the dress shop which even looked too fancy to compare to a bridal shop. Vincenzo led us straight to the back of the building behind black curtains. There were white and black couches circled around a display stage. Champagne flutes, whiskey, and water displayed on the table against the wall.
If this was under different circumstances I'd let myself be excited. Instead I feel like a doll being poked and prodded as ten different women take my measurements. Three of them leave then begin bringing in gowns of different colors and designs. Two more ladies leave to grab shoes.
Vincenzo pours him a glass of whiskey, whispering things to one of the older women. She has grey hair and thick black rimmed glasses. By the way she holds herself she gives off the impression of being in charge.
An ugly dress converted in pink ruffles from sleeves to skirt enters the room and the unsure look on Vincenzo's face makes me giggle. The woman snaps her fingers and the dress instantly gets taken away. This will be an interesting day.
"Whatever you and your friends are planning, I suggest you forget about it."
His voice snaps me out of the daydreaming trance I was in. Vincenzo hasn't spoken to me once since we've gotten here, only whispering to the woman in charge.
Now that I was finally able to take a seat, as the women working are literally taking apart and sowing different parts of dresses together, he finally decides to acknowledge me.
"Whatever do you mean?" The ice cold water glides down my throat. I've witnessed hundreds of investigations, enough to know people's tells. I wonder... what are mine? No, don't think about it. Just, don't move too much. Avoid giving anything away.
He leans in, gazing into my soul. His sleeves are rolled past his elbows, his muscles visibly flexing as he leans onto his knees, "Princessa, might I remind you this event isn't just important to the Bernardi family. It is important to me and my allies. Which includes your father.
My jaw clenches as he speaks about my father. The main reason we're in this mess is because he didn't take my family's needs seriously. Some ally he is.
"So whatever plans you have for embarrassing Victoria, remember it reflects upon all of us." Is he serious right now? "So I suggest you put aside your jealousies and just enjoy the evening."
My stoic facade breaks away as I force out a laugh, "Jealousy? If you think jealousy is what you need to worry about then you truly are blind."
He raises his eyebrow at my comment and I suddenly feel like I've given too much away. Fuck. Was that his strategy? To poke at a sore spot till I squealed? Damn him.
"We weren't planning anything. God knows your reputation. A cold hearted man who only cares about gaining more power. Only death will take that from you, and you would go fighting even that. Anyone would be crazy to go against you, so don't worry boss your reputation will stay intact."
My harsh tone throws him off, but the women return and sweep me away to try on the new dresses.
After a few dresses that get dismissed by Vincenzo, I get shoved into an elegant black gown.
It fits perfectly, with lace sleeves which look like tattoos across my skin. It hugs my hips nicely before the skirt flows onto the floor like a pool of water.
Vincenzo slowly rises the second I exit the fitting room, "Every out."
Just like that, they're gone. Vincenzo approaches me slowly, a dark and hungry look in his eyes. Those dangerously delicious green eyes roam up the skirt's slit which shows off just the right amount of my cream skin. Then that same gaze follows the Lacey neckline which dips down to my belly button.
Although I'd say it looks more like a wedding dress than a ball gown, this dress manages to put all the other dresses to shame. It gives me just enough confidence to feel sexy. Forget sexy, I look dangerous. And I love it.
Vincenzo's fingers feather across the lace on my back, causing me to lose my breath. The image of him pushing me against the three-mirrored wall and making good use of the slit in my skirt consumes me with desperate need.
I shouldn't be thinking about him unraveling me center-stage of this fitting room. No, I should be thinking about the outfit I already have.
The pantsuit was chosen for convenience. I should be thinking about how I can no longer hide weapons on me, or wear better shoes. Or about how fucking hard it will be to run in this thing.
His breath skims past my neck as he holds me from behind. My eyes shut out of reflex as I let out a content sigh.
Dammit Aria, say something.
"The-" I clear my throat, "The train is too long."
"Hm?" His fingers don't stop tracing the lace on my dress and my knees begin to shake.
"It'll get st-stepped on. I'll trip." My words are breathy and Vincenzo only hums in response with his lips a centimeter away from my neck.
We stand there for a moment, the only sound being heard is my uneven breathing and rapid heart beat. Finally, he sighs and releases me.
"Yes, I suppose you're right. We will trim it and tough it up." As if on cue the women come back in to help me out of the dress.
"I'll be here tomorrow to pick up the dress." Without another word, he storms out of the room, waiting for me outside.

Images above are of the dress before alterations ^^