“Terms? What sort of terms?”
“I agree with you. Our child deserves to have their legacy. But this will be a marriage on paper only.”
“Are you sure that’s what you want?”
Was he hoping that she’d change her mind? She couldn’t quite tell by his tone. Or was he making sure she didn’t want more from him than he was willing to offer?
“I’m sure. We’ll have separate beds and separate lives.”
“Not so fast on the separate lives. If we want everyone, including the paparazzi, to believe the baby is mine, we’re going to have to present a happy front.”
He was right. Still, she hesitated. Could she really agree to this arrangement? It was so cold and calculated.
Luca took a steadying breath and then dropped to his knee. He took her hand in his. And then he gazed up into her eyes.
“Luca, what are you doing?”
“Proposing. If you’ll let me.”
“But you don’t have to—”
“I want to.”
“And what about your sister?”
He frowned. “What does any of this have to do with Annabelle?”
“It’s her week. You know, her engagement celebration.”
“And?”
“And we can’t let anyone know that we’ve gotten engaged. It’ll overshadow Annabelle’s moment in the spotlight.”
“First of all, I’m not proposing an engagement. I want you to elope with me. Today. Right now. As for my sister...” Luca rubbed the back of his neck. “We won’t tell anyone about our marriage until after the reception on Saturday. Okay?”
Elena’s heart was pounding so hard that it echoed in her ears. “But—”
“Shush. Let me do this before I forget what I’m going to say.”
She pressed a hand to her mouth, but her gaze never left his. This was it. He was going to propose and then they were to be married. It would all be done so quickly, so neatly. No fanfare. No frilly dress. No romantic moments.
And yet, she could not deny that it was best for their child. She could no longer put her needs and wants first. She was about to be a mother.
“Elena, we’ve known each other since we were little kids playing in the palace gardens. You’ve been there with me through the best and worst times of my life. Somehow it seems fitting that we are pledging to join our lives officially. I promise to always be there for you and for our child. Will you marry me?”
Tears ran down her cheeks. Instead of tears of joy, they were tears of sadness. This wasn’t how she’d imagined this moment working out. And her pregnancy hormones were working overtime, making her a sappy mess.
He removed the ring from his pinkie. “I know you’re expecting a diamond, but I didn’t have a chance to get you one. I hope you don’t mind if I use this as a temporary substitute under the circumstances.”
She gazed down at the gold ring with his family’s crest engraved upon it. Luca held it poised at the end of her finger. She couldn’t believe that this was all really happening. It was like she was moving through a dream.
And then she nodded her head. “Yes, I’ll marry you—we’ll marry you.”
He placed one hand over her still-flat abdomen. With the other hand, he slid the ring on her finger. It was a little tight, but it would do.
This was the beginning of a whole new future for her, him and their baby.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
THE HEAVILY TINTED town car eased out of the palace gates.
It appeared the paparazzi was off chasing another story.
Elena breathed a sigh of relief.
But that was just the first hurdle. They still had to conduct a secret wedding. Just the thought of exchanging I dos with Luca made her stomach quiver. When she was a teenager, she’d imagined that one day they might marry. But that was when she was still young and foolish. After all, he was an earl, one day to become a duke, and at the time she’d been a nobody. Why would he have ever considered marrying her?
It wasn’t until much later in life that she realized all of Luca’s grumbling and resentment about the institution of marriage wasn’t just a smoke screen to keep her at bay. He really meant it. She’d felt sorry for him. She couldn’t imagine living such a lonely life and never allowing anyone to get close.
And now she was dooming herself to a loveless marriage. She banished the thought as soon as it came to her. There was no backing out now. Luca had made a flurry of phone calls. The arrangements were in motion.
Elena pressed a hand to her abdomen, thinking about their unborn child. At least their son or daughter would now be legitimate. They wouldn’t be excluded and press their nose to the glass to see all the dressed-up people at the formal dinners and balls. That thought was what kept her quiet as the black town car ushered them through the streets of Bellacitta.
They’d already stopped at the jewelry store, the courthouse and the dress shop, and now they were headed to a little chapel just outside the city—a place where they would have the privacy to say their vows without the paparazzi lurking about.
She nervously played with Luca’s ring that was still on her ring finger. She remembered when he’d received the ring from his father. He’d been thirteen. His father had told him that he was growing into a man and this was his future—his destiny.
She had been awed not only by the beautiful ring with the intricate crest, but also the fact that Luca had a destiny to fulfill. She didn’t have any such thing. Her family was ordinary, and she’d always longed to be extraordinary. And she’d almost done it. She had been on her way to having one of the most famous faces in the world.
But now she was pregnant. Her future as a model was over. Sure, she could lose the weight. Maybe she could avoid stretch marks. But even if she could regain the same figure—and that was a big if—she would have lost her traction in the business. Her slot would be filled by younger, more glamorous girls. She would forever be playing catch-up, and in the process, her child would only get bits and pieces of her time.
“What has you so quiet?” Luca asked as he leaned back against the black leather upholstery.
“Just thinking how far we’ve come since you received this ring from your father.”
“It seems like a lifetime ago.”
“Will your father be happy about the baby?” She hoped so. She wanted her child to be surrounded by love.
“My father will be over the moon that I’m finally doing what he’s always wanted—settling down with a family and taking over the business.”
“Wait.” She sat up straight and turned to him. “You’re taking over the business? Since when? What about your job in Milan?”
“Things have changed since I’ve been here. Certain matters have come to light, but we don’t need to get into all that now. We have a wedding to go to.”
“You’re sure you want to go through with this marriage?” Elena asked for about the fifth time that afternoon.
“Quit asking. The answer is always going to be the same. Yes, I want to marry you.”
If only he meant that for all the right reasons. She had no illusions about this marriage lasting, and so she would have to guard her heart. Letting herself think this marriage was anything but a show would be a disaster for her and her child. She had to stay strong for her unborn baby.
* * *
He’d never imagined that he’d be doing this.
Luca stood at the front of the chapel in his new suit. While Elena had picked out a white dress for the ceremony, he’d decided that a new suit was in order. Luckily, they had one in his size.
He resisted the urge to tug at his collar as the pianist played the wedding march. This was it. He was doing the one thing he’d vowed never to do—getting married.
But if he had to marry anyone, he
was thankful it was Elena. They were compatible. Or at least they used to be. They’d shared more than twenty years of friendship. Surely they could draw on that and find common ground.
And then she appeared at the end of the aisle. It didn’t matter that there were no guests. They had asked the photographer and his assistant to bear witness, and that was all they needed. The only important people were standing right here in this historic chapel.
As she made her way up the aisle, the photographer took numerous pictures. Elena seemed surprised that there was a photographer present, but with the help of Luca’s assistant, he’d tended to as many wedding details that he could think of. And he figured that with the lack of any family present, Elena could share these photos with family and friends.
But he wouldn’t need any photos.
There was no way he would forget his beautiful bride. Her dress was white and tea length, falling just below her knees. The straps were off the shoulder and the bodice fit her snugly. It was as if the dress had been made for her. She took his breath away. Too bad this wasn’t a real marriage—wait, had he really thought that?
Before he could delve further into his thoughts, Elena stepped up to his side. With one hand clasping a colorful bouquet of pink and white peonies, she slipped her free hand into his.
The older minister peered at them over his reading glasses. “Have you both come here of your own free will?”
Luca felt the initial tightening of Elena’s hand. He willed her to stay calm. He knew she didn’t want to marry him but that she would do it for the love of their child.
“I have,” Elena said softly.
“I have, too.”
And so the minister went through the ceremony. Luca didn’t know what he expected to feel, but as the minister said, “Until death do us part,” Luca felt the walls go up around him. He knew he shouldn’t shut down, but he couldn’t help it. The devastation of his mother’s murder still had lingering effects.
He’d witnessed how his father had utterly withdrawn from their family after his mother died. His father had always been working and never had time for his children—children who were hurting, too, and left to find their way through the darkness alone.
Luca couldn’t imagine giving his heart to Elena—if she even wanted it—and then losing her. It was better to keep a wall between them. It was safer. For both of them.
But above all, this marriage would allow Luca to claim his heir—the future of the DiSalvo name. Luca’s father would have no choice but to recognize that Luca was now all grown up and responsible—responsible enough to take over the family business and turn it around. Where he’d once felt a family obligation to fix things when his father asked for help, Luca now felt driven to keep the business and the title viable. It was a new experience for him.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
Elena looked at him with a wide-eyed stare. It wasn’t exactly the passionate look that he’d expected to find on his bride’s face. Still, it was up to them to convince people that the marriage was real—no matter how temporary.
His gaze dipped to her pink, glossy lips. Her mouth had tormented him each night in his dreams. Her sweet kisses had left him longing for more. And now he had the perfect excuse to kiss her once more.
But he hesitated. Common sense told him to make it a quick peck. He could feel the minister’s expectant gaze on him.
Luca pulled Elena close. And for a moment, he stared into her eyes. They were the most beautiful shade of forget-me-nots. The name was most fitting, as her eyes were quite memorable. In fact, they were totally unforgettable. Every time he stared into her eyes, it was like she spun a spell over him. Just like now...
His head lowered and he claimed her lips. And then, forgetting about this being a quick peck, he drew her even closer. In that moment, nothing mattered but them. Forgetting that they were still in the church, he deepened the kiss. Elena opened her mouth, welcoming him inside. Her kiss was extraordinary, and he didn’t think he would ever take it, or her, for granted.
He didn’t want to let her go. Because once he released her, he knew that the wall dividing them would immediately come back up. And though it might be safe behind that wall, it was also cold and lonely. But with Elena in his arms, there was a warmth growing and spreading within his chest.
Just then Elena pressed her palms to his chest and pulled back from him. Reality came crashing back in, popping the bubble of happiness that had momentarily encapsulated them. Luca glanced away, not wanting her to realize how that kiss had moved him.
Luca realized that going forward he had to be careful around her. Happiness didn’t last. He’d learned that lesson the hard way. First, with his mother dying. And finally with his father hiding within his work and ignoring his children.
Luca had done the only thing he knew how to do at the time—let loose and lived life to its fullest—even risking life and limb routinely. But now he knew how to curb those urges. He knew how to tuck his feelings into that little box in his chest.
He could do this—he could be the public husband Elena needed. And he could be the father to his child that his father had never been to him.
CHAPTER TWELVE
SO NOW WHAT?
Elena sat next to Luca as their chauffeured car made its way across the city. She stared at her bridal bouquet. She was now Mrs. DiSalvo.
With the shock of what they’d just done starting to wear off, reality was hitting her hard. A whole gamut of emotions warred within her, leaving her stomach in a knot.
Elena DiSalvo. Mrs. DiSalvo. Mrs. Luca DiSalvo.
And what was up with that kiss at the altar? If that had all been for show, it was quite convincing—too convincing. There was more to that kiss than Luca doing his husbandly duty. If he was hoping to change her mind about sharing a bed, it wasn’t going to happen. No matter how many heart-fluttering kisses he plied on her.
She glanced over at Luca, but he appeared preoccupied with his phone. She wondered if this was what their future would be like if they were to stay together—awkward and quiet. The funny thing was, before they’d slept together, their relationship had flowed easily. Before that night, they’d been able to laugh and joke around. But now, post-sex, things were so different.
She gazed out the window at the passing cityscape. This definitely wasn’t the way back to the palace. “Luca, where are we going?”
“You’ll find out soon enough.”
“But your sister will be wondering where we went.”
“I’m certain my sister is well distracted by her new fiancé.”
Elena couldn’t argue with that statement. Annabelle had never looked happier than she had this week. She was practically glowing.
That was the way a woman should look when she was getting married. It wasn’t how Elena had looked today. And she knew it was selfish, because they’d done what they needed to for their baby. But she couldn’t help but feel as though she’d missed out on something very profound and moving.
Sadness crept over Elena. This wasn’t how she’d envisioned her wedding day. When she was younger, she’d dreamed about her wedding being the happiest day of her life. Of rose petals lining her path, with her family looking on and her eager groom awaiting her at the end of the aisle.
She stared blindly out the window. Tears pricked the backs of her eyes, but she blinked repeatedly, willing them away. After all, those had been dreams of a gullible young girl. She was now a mature woman who knew that life rarely lived up to anyone’s dreams.
This marriage was a means to an end. A business arrangement of sorts. Try as she might, none of those explanations soothed the throb in her chest.
The car slowed down and turned into an underground garage. Elena was jarred from her thoughts, but it was too late to look around to figure out where the
y were. She was certainly confused.
“Luca, what have you done?”
His brows scrunched together. “Why do you make it sound like I’ve done something wrong?”
“I don’t know. Have you?”
“Certainly not. I just thought the occasion deserved something extra.”
“Extra?” She had no idea what he meant by that comment.
And Luca wasn’t offering any other clues.
When the car pulled to a stop, the driver opened the door for her. She stepped out into the garage next to a bank of elevators. Luca rounded the car and took her hand. He led her to the farthest elevator and pressed a button. Instantly the doors swept open. Inside he swiped a card and pressed another button labeled PH1.
“Luca, what are you up to?”
“It’s a surprise.”
“Don’t you think we’ve had enough of those for one day?” The excitement of the day really had taken a lot out of her. Especially as she found herself getting tired easier than normal since she’d become pregnant.
“I promise, soon you can rest.”
She sent him an I-don’t-believe-you look. “Just tell me what you’re up to.”
He didn’t say a word as he stared straight ahead.
The anticipation was getting to her. She had to admit that normally she loved surprises and Luca knew it. But today was far from normal. What in the world did he have planned?
The doors swished open to reveal an expansive suite decorated mostly in white with strategically placed wine-colored accents. One wall consisted of floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out over the beautiful city. The soft golden rays from the setting sun gave the place a warm, inviting glow.
She turned to Luca. “I don’t understand.”
And then, without warning, Luca lifted her into his arms.
“What are you doing? Put me down.”
“Smile for the camera.” Luca smiled and nodded toward the photographer and his assistant, who had been at the church.
She forced a smile while the photographer snapped one photo after the next.
Married for His Secret Heir Page 10
