“Can I ask you a question?” I ask.
Leonardo stops walking and turns to me. “Of course.”
“Why did you and Pai keep the children from meeting each other?”
“Vasco knew his boys would be part of the business. I never wanted my daughters to know about it until they were old enough to understand my reasons for being involved in it. I sheltered them and I take full responsibility. In hindsight, I made a big mistake. You will have quite a challenge on your hands. Amelia is strong and stubborn,” he chuckles.
I nod and he continues toward the door. As his hand grips the doorknob, I say, “You don’t have to tell her today. You can have the week to tell her.”
Leonardo shakes his head.
“No. Amelia needs to know now.” He opens the door and calls for his wife. They speak quietly before he comes back into the room, leaving the door open. He walks behind his desk and sits. “Do you want a formal agreement, or will my word do?”
“A promise has held up all these years. Why would I need a formal agreement now?” He nods and places his hands on the desk. A soft knock comes from the door. I stand and turn to see Serafina walk in. “Dona Serafina, tudo bem?” She comes to me and I place a kiss on each of her cheeks, the formal greeting in Portugal.
“Yes, I’m well. How are you?” she asks with a bright smile on her face. She’s always been such a sweet lady.
“I’m well.” Before anything else is said, I see a figure appear in the doorway out of the corner of my eye. I turn to look at the angel gracing the office door. The dark-haired beauty smiles and all the air in my lungs leaves me. Her photo didn’t do her justice. Her green eyes sparkle, and I can’t take my eyes off her. She’s fucking gorgeous and I’m so very interested.
“Amelia, come in.” I watch as she walks into the room and stands next to her mother. “I want to introduce you to Santiago Almeida. He is Senhor Vasco’s son,” Leonardo tells her.
She nods and extends her hand to me. I take it with eagerness before kissing each one of her cheeks. Her scent envelopes me and I want to breathe her in. Roses.
“It’s nice to meet you,” she says.
“Likewise,” I reply. Leonardo continues to speak, but I can’t take my eyes off Amelia. She has the sweetest smile on her face and she’s about to be sucker punched. I feel awful for what’s about to happen.
“Amelia, Flha, Santiago is here for a very important reason.” She nods, and he continues. “Senhor Vasco and I made a promise many years ago in an attempt to join the families.”
“Sim, Papa, you were very close. I can understand that.” She looks at me and back at her father. My eyes haven’t left her sweet face.
“In order to join the families, I promised Vasco you would marry Santiago.”
I watch as Amelia’s smile falls. She stares at her father and her mother. The confusion on her face makes the tension in my chest returns. “Papa, that’s ridiculous. An arranged marriage?” I can see the anger on her face, and I understand the emotion as well.
“It didn’t seem that way at the time. Vasco told Santiago about the promise when he was dying and asked him to uphold it. Santiago has come here to do so.”
Amelia looks at me. “I know this is a shock. It was for me too, but I think we can make this work,” I whisper to her.
She shakes her head and looks back at her father. “I don’t have a choice, do I?” she asks.
“No, Filha; you don’t.”
Chapter 3
Santiago
One Week Later
I pull my Range Rover in front of the Fonseca home. My driver, Tomas, opens the back door so I can step out. Leonardo steps out of the house and greets me with a handshake before calling out for Amelia. Serafina comes to me and I kiss her cheeks.
“Please take care of her,” she pleads quietly in my ear.
“I will,” I reassure her as she steps back.
Amelia appears in the doorway. She’s wearing a wine-colored dress with black heels. The dress shows off the curves she was hiding a week ago, and I’m mesmerized. This is going to be difficult. She’s stunning. My whole body comes alive at the sight of her. My reaction to her is surprising. I push it aside and watch Amelia hug both of her parents while Tomas and I load her bags into the trunk. I give her a private moment to say her goodbyes. It has to be difficult to leave your parent’s house for the first time to move in with a stranger. I understand it, and I hope she feels comfortable in my home. Once she’s done, she turns to me.
“Are you ready?” I hold out my hand so she can take it, then help her into the car before kissing her hand and releasing it. Saying goodbye to Serafina and Leonardo, I climb in next to Amelia. Tomas closes the door behind me.
“I’m sorry this has to happen under these circumstances. I promise I’ll do everything in my power to make you comfortable in my home.”
Amelia looks at me and smiles. She doesn’t say anything, just keeps looking out the window, so I leave her be. Within minutes, we’re headed up the mountain toward the compound. I watch as a tear falls down her cheek as she takes in the sights. Placing my hand on hers, I wait for her to look at me. She wipes her cheek and turns her head toward me.
“You’re free to see them whenever you want. You won’t be my prisoner,” I say softly, as she turns her hand to grip mine. The rest of the drive is quiet. I wish she would talk to me, but I get we need to grow into that. She doesn’t know me, and I can’t expect her to immediately trust me.
Tomas pulls the car around to the front entrance. He opens the door and I step out. I hold out my hand to help her out of the vehicle. When she looks up, she freezes. The home is enormous, and it fascinates me every time, even though I was raised at the compound. I can’t imagine what it’s like seeing it for the first time.
“It’s beautiful,” she states, looking around her.
Mama comes out of the house and heads to Amelia with open arms. Amelia smiles when she sees her and gives her a warm hug.
“Amelia, welcome. It’s a pleasure to have you.”
“Thank you, Senhora,” Amelia responds.
“Nonsense. Call me Julia.”
Amelia nods, and they have a quick conversation about the drive here. Mama then excuses herself so I can give Amelia the tour of the house.
The compound comprises of four sections. The main house and three other houses. The main house has six bedrooms and seven bathrooms. The other three homes have four bedrooms and five bathrooms. In the center of the four homes is a pool and a courtyard. Each home has a private entrance. I explain that the main house belongs to us.
Her steps falter. “Why is that?” she asks.
“We’ll have a conversation about that later. Let’s finish the tour and we’ll talk.” I take her hand and lead her around the pool. I explain that Mama has one house, Rodrigo has another, and Marco has the last. Amelia tells me she likes the privacy each offers. I explain Pai was big on privacy. He believed in being close, but not in each other’s faces. My father liked his solitude.
I walk her into the main house and her mouth falls open. The house is stunning with the marble flooring and floor-to-ceiling windows. We go through every room, leaving my bedroom for last. It’s the only bedroom in the house that sits privately on one side. I believe everyone should have one room in the house as a private sanctuary. A place they can go to think and be alone. This is my private spot, and I will create one for Amelia, if she wants one.
I open the double doors and allow her inside first. Following closely behind her, I admire her beauty as she takes in the room. It’s a huge bedroom with a California king bed and a big television. Half of the room consists of windows overlooking the pool. In that section of the room is a sitting area. I like to enjoy my morning coffee there. She walks to the other side of the room, which leads into the bathroom. She pauses, opening the door to each of my closets, before journeying over the threshold of the bathroom. The bathroom has a claw-foot tub sitting in the center. Behind it sits a wall th
at houses a shower for two people. Each side of the bathroom has a sink with counter space. The toilet sits in a private area off to the left.
Amelia turns to look at me. “Everything about your home is beautiful. Thank you for showing me around.”
“This is your home now, too. Feel free to add anything you like to it.”
“Thank you.”
“Now, let’s go to my office and talk. There are things you need to know.”
She nods.
A few minutes later, we’re sitting on the couch in my office. I poured myself a brandy and a white wine for Amelia. She sets the glass down and turns toward me, ready to listen.
“A lot has changed for me in the last few weeks. My father ran an underworld business. He had his hand in drugs, weapons, and money. He has business dealings all over the world. He passed it down to me on his deathbed. It’s all my responsibility now. This business is extremely dangerous and why we live on a compound. There are bodyguards everywhere, even though you can’t see them. That’s done purposely. I don’t want to see armed men all over the property. I want my home to feel like a home.” Amelia nods but says nothing, listening intently.
“As I was saying, this business is dangerous. I have enforcers you will see coming and going daily. My business can be twenty-four hours a day. When I’m needed, I’ll have to leave. My brothers help out as much as they can, but all decisions fall on me. Most times, I won’t be able to share with you what I’m doing, but when I can, I will.”
“How is my father involved in the business?” she asks.
“He has a farm at the back of his property where he grows a lot of our drugs.” I’m not going to lie to her. She will know about my business, but not all the ins and outs. “He has been growing and supplying the drugs for more than twenty years.”
She nods. “I understand. Because of the nature of the business, will I be trapped here at all times?”
“No, not at all. You’ll have a driver to take you wherever you want, but you will have a bodyguard at all times.” I study her reaction, but she’s like a blank page, her expressions bleak and void of emotion. “You can come and go as you please. I will let you know when I need you to stay in or if there’s danger looming.” She stands and paces in front of me. I can’t help watching her body move and admiring those sexy legs on display in front of me. “I want us to have an honest relationship—to trust each other. We were both thrown into this marriage. I hope that we can at least try to be friends. I won’t lie to you, and I will take my vows seriously. I expect you to do the same.”
Amelia stops pacing, her eyes briefly hold mine as a strand of hair falls into her eyes. She doesn’t move it or her gaze that’s analyzing my every movement. “Thank you for telling me all of this and for not keeping me in the dark. We may not know each other, but I respect you. Men in this business tend to be overbearing and disrespectful toward their women. I had an inkling my father was involved with the mob, or mafia, or whatever you call this business. I saw the men that came to see him, and how they treated the women they were with. It was disgusting. There was no respect and there certainly wasn’t any trust.”
I nod as she continues. “I saw you a few times with your father. I’ll admit that I stopped and made sure to get a look at you when you came to the house.”
I tilted my head. “How come?”
“You’re a very handsome man. Any girl in my position would do the same.” I see the blush on her cheeks, and a fiery need roars through my body. Standing, I make my way over to her. She freezes as my hand comes up and curls a loose strand of hair around my finger, my eyes never leaving hers. Her green eyes turn emerald as they heat in response. I place the strand of hair behind her ear and bring my hand around to cup her cheek.
“I hate that I’ve never seen you until now.” Her breathing is shallow, and her chest is heaving beneath her shirt. Her breasts are calling my name, but I look back into her eyes. “You’re beautiful and sexy. It won’t be a hardship making you my wife.” The sparks between us are electrifying. I want to take her mouth and kiss her properly.
Stepping back, I allow us both to take a deep breath. I want her to come to me when she’s ready for me. “Do you have any more questions for me?”
“Do you expect me to share your bed?” The question is valid, and I’m not surprised she asked.
“Not until we’re married. But even then, I will not pressure you. You come to me if and when you want me. Until then, you’re welcome to pick any room you want. Also, I believe everyone needs their own private space. You pick the room and I’ll make it happen for you.” I get close to her again and place a kiss on her cheek. “No matter what, you will be treasured.”
“Do you promise to not be with other women?” she asks. It’s a valid question and one that deserves an answer.
“Like I said, I intend to take our vows seriously. I will be faithful to you. No other women will come near me unless it’s business related.”
She nods. “I expect the same from you.”
“You don’t need to worry about that. I promise.”
Chapter 4
Amelia
“Holy shit,” I breathe as I close the door to my new bedroom. I picked the room two doors down from Santiago’s bedroom. I tried to pick a room far enough away without being on the other side of the house. He’s a puzzle I’m going to enjoy putting together. He’s rough around the edges without being too sharp. Powerful yet gentle, rich yet humble.
I’ve only been in his company for a few hours and already know he will be considerate of me. I think it’s his nature, or maybe how he was taught. I don’t know, but I will find out. I truly like him. I’ll admit I was scared to death he was going to treat me like a possession.
When I was told of the situation, I’ll admit I was angry—angry my father would gamble away my life like that. My mother tried to calm me and explain why he did it. I didn’t want to listen to her. I’m not a pawn and I hated that I was used as one. I’ve known for some time that my father was involved in a business he shouldn’t be, so it didn’t surprise me when Santiago confirmed as much. My father is a good man but makes stupid decisions sometimes. Agreeing to marry me off was definitely the stupidest. I was angry with him when I left home and will remain angry with him for some time. He shouldn’t have done it, and he knows it. I asked about my sisters. He swore the only one promised was me. I know Vasco was like a brother to him but promising me to Vasco’s son in order to make them family was ridiculous. I guess his pick could have been worse. Santiago is beautiful to look at. The man is sex personified.
I look around the room and laugh. How did this become my life? In a matter of days, I go from a girl still in my father’s house trying to find a job, to a woman soon to be married to the town’s or maybe the country’s mob boss. This is unreal. A knock comes from the door, startling me. I open the door to see a middle-aged woman standing there with a kind face.
“Olá, Amelia. I’m Silvia. I’m your personal assistant. Senhor Santiago has hired me to help you with anything you need.” She smiles and I’m immediately comfortable with her. I wave her in, and she stands in the middle of the room. Her short, stalky build makes me giggle. She’s too cute.
“So, you’re just going to stand around and wait on me to give you things to do?”
Silvia laughs. “Yes. If you don’t have anything for me, I’m to do jobs for anyone who needs my help. My sole focus is on you, though. I can help with the wedding planning, making sure the car is ready when you need to go out, make any appointments you need, so on and so forth.”
I’m dumbfounded. “I appreciate that.”
“For right now, I will get your suitcases unpacked. Is there in any special way you would like things?” She walks to the suitcases and places one on the bed.
“I don’t have a preference,” I say. Silvia nods and gets to work.
I make my way back downstairs and knock on Santiago’s office door. I hear him tell me to come in and I open it slo
wly. He’s sitting at his desk, typing something on his computer. When he sees me, he stands and immediately comes to me.
“Is everything alright?” He truly looks concerned that I may not be okay.
“Yes, thank you. I’m just overwhelmed,” I confess.
“I understand.”
“I need something to do. A job.”
He has a blank look in his eye, almost as if he’s trying to process what I’m saying. He stands before walking across the room. “A job?” he asks. “You don’t need to work.”
“I’m going to need to keep my mind occupied or I’m going to go crazy,” I tell him, and a sexy smile appears on his lips.
“I know you have a college degree. What did you study?”
“Accounting.”
His eyebrow shoots up. “Well, that’s interesting,” he says, striding back to his desk. He downs the rest of his whiskey and turns back to me. “I just got rid of my bookkeeper. It turns out he was stealing money.” I swallow hard and watch his eyes go dark. “I don’t like it when people try to deceive me.”
A mob boss is right in front of me and for some reason, I’m turned on. He doesn’t scare me. Instead, my body responds to him in ways I can’t explain.
“I can help,” I tell him, “that is, of course, if you’re comfortable with it.”
He nods. “My dealings are complicated, but I wouldn’t mind letting you handle them,” he says.
“Is this a test?” I need to know.
He laughs and my breath catches. I could hear that sound forever and not get tired of hearing it. My girl parts just stirred at the sound.
“Not a test. I like that you aren’t afraid of my business and willing to embrace your new life. In fact, it makes me happy.” He comes closer to me and whispers in my ear, “It makes me very happy and turns me on.” A chill runs down my spine, he must notice the raised goosebumps moving across my fair skin because he says, “I feel the same, Sweetheart.”
I walk to the mini bar, pour a glass a wine, and take a drink. I keep my back to him in order to gather my bearings. I want to climb the man like a tree and beg him to take me to his bed. That’s never happened to me before, and I feel a little crazy. I take a deep breath and turn around.
Santiago: The Almeida Brothers Trilogy Book One: Social Rejects Syndicate Page 2
