Mafia's Arranged Princess Bride Book1 King of New York

Chapter 27

Lucky

I wake, there is some sun coming through the gap of the plantation shutters which are draped with olive curtains. I stretch feeling surprisingly well slept and then I remember how Nico tucked me in safely like a child almost. I'm not entirely sure how I feel about that, but it was refreshing to see a softer side to him. Maybe, just maybe he isn't all bad. Oh fuck, what am I thinking? I need to keep my guard up around him, I must never forget he doesn't actually like me, and he certainly doesn't love me, he needs me for his empire for his own greedy needs. I let out a sigh because I want love, trust, honesty and respect in a relationship. It's what every girl dreams of from when she's a child only this, this isn't ever going to be that. All I will ever be to Santangelo is a pawn in his elaborate conquest for New York. It hurts.

There, I've said it, I've actually admitted to my own emotions. On top of the anger that seethes inside me, it fucking hurts to know you are only getting married because of your surname. How disgusting and upsetting is that? My stomach sinks and now on top of everything, I am trapped here wherever here is with just Nico, his bodyguards and a few staff to keep me company. I miss Mia already and I only saw her briefly for coffee yesterday. That even seems like it was months ago. Has everything really happened, being whisked away in Nico's car to his store, then the shooting? It almost seems surreal. My stomach rumbles and I can feel that I have hunger pains. I guess with my temper running high last night not to mention the anxiety, I didn't actually eat too much. I need breakfast and fling the duvet off my body and place my feet on the rug that is by the side of the bed. It feels warm and soft under my feet, I curl my toes.

I suppose I could summon someone to bring me breakfast in bed, then I'd not have to see Nico, yet part of me the part I want to slap, does want to see his gorgeous if not brooding, stern face. On the foot of the bed is a pale blue robe, I pick it up and put it on my body and head for the door of the bedroom and make my way downstairs. I have no idea where in this sprawling mansion his kitchen or his dining room is, but I do see a woman, I'd guess in her twenties cleaning the stairs.

"Good morning, Lucky." She says, her brown eyes like cows, soft and gentle. "Can I get you anything?"

"Thanks, and er, yes good morning. I'm looking for the kitchen, I'm hungry."

"Follow me, Nico has organized breakfast for you in the informal dining room."

"What, he has more than one?" Of course he does, why wouldn't he?

"One for entertaining guests the other for just family." She places the feather duster on a step and starts down the staircase, I follow after her, we take a left almost back on ourselves and underneath it to a large, wooden door. She pushes it open. Inside is a long table that could sit twelve people, it's a dark wood with matching high-backed chairs. To the side of the room are silver domes no doubt covering all the food on an ornate carved wood side with black marble on top. It's absolutely stunning.

"Make yourself comfortable and help yourself to anything."

"Seems a lot of food for just Nico and myself." I say counting ten silver tops.

"Nico instructed our chef to cook many dishes for you, since we didn't know what you would favor."

"Okay, thank you. I'll have orange juice too please and a strong coffee." She nods, I forget to ask her, her name and make my way to the serving dishes lifting up the lids as I go. There is scrambled egg, eggs benedict, bacon, steak, smoked salmon, fruits, yoghurts, small sponge cakes, muffins, pancakes, waffles just so much food. I'm spoilt for choice.

"Good morning, you finally woke." Nico strides in giving me a shock with his deep voice, a thrill runs up and down my body. Jeez, now just his voice is giving me tingling sensations. What has come over me? "I wasn't sure what you do and don't like hence I asked Chef to make something of everything."

"That's so sweet of you?" What? Since when is Nico Santangelo sweet? Did he slip me some personality altering drug last night? He raises his eyebrows.

"Never been called sweet before, but there's a first for everything. Did you request coffee already or shall I ask for you?"

"I've requested it. Any closer to knowing who shot us?" I ask as I make sure to keep my distance from him, especially since he's looking better than a man ought to, he is the devil in disguise with his jet-black hair flopping over his face, a scowl which I am becoming accustomed to, it's giving him a sultry look, and those lips of his are plump. I tear my eyes away from those lips that I bet could pleasure sinfully, whilst wondering just how dirty in bed, Nico Santangelo is. My core tightens and a warmth rushes up through my body, I feel myself blushing.

"No not yet. Tony and my guys are on it. I have a missing brother to contend with on top of everything else?"

"Dario?"

"Yes, Dario. He is a lose cannon one that needs putting on a fucking leash."

"Doesn't he hang with that Monletto kid, the younger one? I'm pretty sure I've seen them together in one of the clubs uptown." I finish adding eggs and smoked salmon to my plate, the girl comes back in with a coffee pot followed by an older gentleman carrying a tray with fine china cups and saucers. He's dressed in black pants, a white button down and a dark green waistcoat. Fuck does he really have staff that stand to attention?

"Will there be anything else?" Brown eyes asks.

"No thank you, Gisele that will be all." Nico waves her away and pulls a chair out for me to sit. He has manners, I'm surprised and he even managed a small smile. I tilt my head, he looks down at me and our eyes meet, I swallow and shift in my chair. It's not his usual distasteful look, there is something else there. I pull my robe closer round my body, suddenly conscious of myself. Since when have I ever given a fuck? But right now, I do.

"I wasn't aware he did. This is news to me. I'll have my guys look into it and see what they can get out of that scum bag. That family need to be wiped off the face of the earth, they are dirt in the city with their drug laundering and human trafficking, they make me sick." And he's back, the Nico I am familiar with.

"Sorry, I do not mean to vent at breakfast and not at you." I almost fall off my chair, is the great Nico Santangelo apologizing to me?

"No problem, we don't care for that family either, my father has had many a run in with them." I put a mouthful of smoked salmon into my mouth, it tastes heavenly with the dill sauce on it.

"I thought your father had dealings with Monletto." Nico raises his eyebrows.

"Not that I'm aware, Nico, never." I watch as he furrows his brows, could he be right? Has my father ever had anything to do with them? Surely not, my father and his father before him have never touched the drugs market nor the trafficking of girls. Yet the way Nico is looking makes me doubt my father. I shudder.

"I may be wrong, do not worry about it now. Eat you must stay strong. We have a small wedding to plan."

"What?"

"The wedding, we will marry here. Soon."

"You're kidding right?"

"No, I am not kidding," his voice is pointed, that darkness is back changing his bright blue eyes that could arrest any girl, to dark pools of blackness. He grips his fork; I see his knuckles whiten slightly and the veins on top his hands pop.

"What happened to in a month's time?" I drink my coffee; fuck I need something strong this morning.

"Things change, now eat you need your strength. You will be having self defense lessons this morning with my trainer and I."

"What the fuck?"

"Do not speak to me like that, Princess." His tone indicates there will be no further argument on anything, but marry, here, soon. Holy fucking shit.