Of Mobsters and Men

Chapter 16

Raelyn

"While you were with Stefano, I was able to pick up some of the things your father and Stefano's soldiers were talking about." Gigi began, staring ahead. Her voice broke the silence and my empty thoughts.

"What?" I asked curiously. I wasn't surprised Gigi eavesdropped, I was just shocked she was bold enough to do it in plain sight.

"Stefano is considering that Alessio be your bodyguard. I'm assuming since you're now his...he can't risk something happening to you, so he's put you under his protection." Gigi said lowly. "I can take care of myself. I don't need his protection." I snapped.

Being under his protection meant every move I made was under his surveillance. I didn't want that.

"Where are you going?" Gigi asked me incredulously as I got up from my bed. When I made it to the door, I answered her. "I'm going to ask him a favor."

"You're going to ask Stefano Vanzetti for a favor?" She asked looking at me as if I had two heads. She knew what I was going to ask for too.  "He's my fiancé after all." I said distastefully.

The men were huddled around my father's office door, Stefano in the Center. My father and Gigi's father were the first to notice my presence. Even when there were no females around, the men still spoke in hushed tones.

"Cousin, your bride wishes to have a word with you, I assume." The tall young man from earlier said aloud to Stefano. My eyes fried furrowed at the fact he mentioned he and Stefano were cousins.

If he brought family members, maybe this engagement wasn't a joke like I thought.

I watched as Stefano side glanced his cousin in annoyance before he settled his dark eyes on my form. The surrounding men gave me once overs before looking away. They cleared the way for Stefano to leave the circle and as he walked slowly towards me, I saw the grin that stretched his lips get bigger and bigger.

As he stood about a foot away from me, I trembled. Yet again he wasn't transparent as he looked at me.  "Um," I started, my voice cracking in nervousness. "I assume...I assume that n-now that we're...engaged that you might think that I need extra protection..." I trailed, hesitantly looking him in the eyes.

Stefano looked past me for a few seconds before he looked back down at me.

"You're right." He confirmed, his left eyebrow raised in signal that I should continue. I played with my fingers some more. "But um..." I paused. My heart was racing like a speed demon. I felt like I would collapse on my side if I continued talking without some sort of break.

"I don't need a bodyguard, and-and I request that you don't assign one to me. At least right now." I met his eyes that held a mischievous glint in them.

"Already making demands, hm?" Stefano asked me, squinting his eyes a little bit before smirking.

I nodded my head slowly. Stefano scanned my face with calculating eyes. "That's one wish I simply can't guarantee you." He said watching my lips turn into a frown.

I clenched my jaw before making them go slack. "Please, I just, I won't ever ask for anything again, I just-for now, I want to enjoy my freedom for as long as I have it." I begged. I cringed.

I thought it pathetic how I was begging this man. I thought I saw a frown on his face but it was immediately replaced with a mischievous smirk. "I'll think about it. However, I do expect something in return."

I wasn't sure why but my feet stayed glued to the floor as I pondered what exactly he wanted from me in return.
"Good night, Rae."

Stefano raised an eyebrow at me before turning to leave.