Angie had only made it a few steps before she heard the announcement that the wedding party had arrived. Turning to watch them enter, she tried to ignore the fact that more eyes seemed trained on her than on the bride. Angie watched as Al moved quickly out the door, trying to act nonchalant, but she could tell he was tense. Al was searching for something, probably her. She doubt her family felt any more comfortable with her in a room full of men who had been vying for her hand sight unseen than she was.
Taking a step toward Al so that he wouldn’t have so far to come, Angie saw he spotted her by just looking where every other gaze was pointed. Before her foot was firmly planted on the ground, it happened. She should have listened to the voice that had told her to leave the day she arrived. “Angie,” Maria whispered, before she yelled it loud enough that no one needed a reason to look at her. The spectacle Maria made by throwing herself at Angie and wrapping her arms around her was enough. “Oh my God, where have you been? Why are you here? I’ve missed you so much,” Maria went on, laughing, with tears coming from her eyes. Absolute joy filled her face.
Dread filled Angie, but she was careful to conceal it. Pulling her gaze from Maria, she looked up, as if drawn by an unseen force. The crowd, as if it had been waiting for that moment, parted, and her eyes locked with a pair of angry blue ones. A movement to Lucca’s left caught her gaze, turning her head slightly, she saw Angelo and his youngest daughter, Sophia. Defeat seemed to fill Angelo’s gaze, but it was Sophia’s that Angie latched on to. In it she saw relief, then guilt, until finally fear before Sophia quickly forced her eyes to the ground. A hand touched Angie’s arm. Turning, she saw Al had finally reached her, but the look in his eyes said it was too late. Taking Al’s arm, Angie let him lead her away from Maria toward the house, but no matter where in the crowd they went, she felt those burning orbs following her until they entered the house.
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Taking a long drink of his scotch, Lucca sat with Father and waited for Angelo to arrive. How the hell long could a wedding ceremony take? Watching Maria speak with a group of girls her age, Lucca caught Sal’s eye and looked pointedly toward the other guy, who was supposed to be extra security for Maria this trip. Getting the message, Sal walked over and whispered into the other guard’s ear. Whatever he said got through; the kid stood up straight and glued his gaze to Maria instead of the ass he had been watching. The fucker had better do his job; if anything happened to Maria, he wouldn’t live to make another mistake.
The who’s who of the underworld was attending this function, and Lucca didn’t trust any of these motherfuckers. Since Maria’s fiancé’s untimely death, he thought with a sneer, offers had been pouring in for an alliance through marriage. While Maria acted like her old self, she definitely wasn’t ready to be the wife of a man in our circle. Hell, Lucca didn’t know if she’d ever be ready.
Thinking of marriage brought him back to the reason they were there: his possible marriage. A year ago, after an unexpected visit from Angelo’s Gagliardi consigliere, Lucca’s father Antonio had pulled him into his office and explained something Lucca had never known. Lucca had a fiancée and had been betrothed since he was sixteen. It would seem that Mother had negotiated the contract with his father’s blessing. The woman had been a dear friend of Mother’s before she died. The reason Lucca was never told was because it was believed the girl had died. Mother had refused to break the contract and take back the bride price, saying the girl was not considered dead without a body, and when she returned, she would be his bride. After her death, Father hadn’t had the heart to go against her wishes and kept the same agreement. Since Lucca hadn’t shown an interest in marrying yet, Antonio saw no harm in it.
Then, out of nowhere, the girl turned up alive, and her family wanted to return the bride price. Father refused, saying it was his choice. For the last year the Gagliardi family had been sending our family offers, increasing in price, to break the contract, until the last one had Antonio asking Lucca to consider it. They would give them three times the bride price, plus Angelo’s youngest daughter for Lucca’s bride. What the hell was wrong with this girl if he was offering thirty million and one of his own children, and who in hell pays ten million as a bride price? It was unheard of. Was the girl made of gold to be valued so high? When Lucca asked his Father about it, he only said she was supposed to have been a great beauty, though only Mom had ever seen her. Antonio said that the Gagliardi family was very careful about letting strangers near the girl and never allowed pictures to be taken of her. What kind of crazy shit was that? Beautiful women were a dime a dozen. Lucca had only ever seen one who was anything beyond that, but he forced those thought away; they only led to extreme violence and anger when he thought about Angie.
Looking around, Lucca noticed a strange sort of excitement begin to move through the guests. Whispers and glances were being cast in one direction. Before he could investigate, the bride and groom finally arrived. Joining the clapping people, Lucca held his temper as he waited to get this farce over with. The reality was, for the type of money that came with this girl, unless she was a dog Lucca would be marrying her and assuring their alliance with this family in blood. Finally, Lucca saw Angelo and his guys heading their way. Coming with Angelo must be the daughter. She was pretty enough: dark hair and eyes, a decent body from what he could see in that ugly bridesmaid dress. Yep, looked like he was getting married. Standing up, his father and Lucca greeted everyone before sitting. Lucca had only met Angelo once, when he personally flew out the other day to talk them into coming to the wedding to meet his daughter Sophia, but something seemed off with him. Ignoring it, they made small talk as he tried to get the girl to answer the questions they asked.
Lucca was getting pissed when Sophia only whispered monosyllabic answers; you could tell she’d rather be anywhere else. For the benefits that would come with her, Lucca guessed he could deal with it until she felt more comfortable. Noticing that strange hush again, Lucca glanced around, stopping when he noticed Maria race away from her guards. Standing up to get her and find out what the fuck was her problem, Lucca was stopped cold when he heard her scream the one word he never thought to hear again: “Angie.” Honing his gaze on the direction the sound had come from, Lucca was just about to push his way through the crowd when it parted and his eyes collided with a pair of emeralds.
Sucking in a breath, Lucca drank her in, unable to believe it was her. No matter how hard he had searched, he’d never found a trace, and now, as if by magic, she stood not fifty feet away from him. Lucca watched as shock passed through her eyes before she masked it and her gaze slid to his left. Following it, Lucca saw the defeat on Angelo’s face before he covered it. A range of emotions seemed to move over his daughter’s face before she looked down, hiding them behind a curtain of hair. Lucca turned back in time to see Angelo’s guy take Angie’s arm and lead her away. Who the fuck was he to touch what was his? He’d slit his fucking throat. Following her with his eyes until she entered the house, Lucca wondered why the fuck he was still standing there. Why did he let her leave his sight? Than things began to click as Lucca turned narrowed eyes back to Angelo. “Who was that woman?” He demanded, all civility stripped from him as he realized Angelo might try to keep what belonged to him.
Not bothering to pretend, Angelo said, “My niece.”
“Which niece? What’s her name?”
Resignation moved through his eyes as he met Lucca’s gaze. “Angelica.”
“She’s mine,” Lucca said coldly, making sure Angelo understood there would be no substitution. He wouldn’t accept this pale copy or any amount of money in exchange for the fiery goddess who had just left. Nodding his head, Angelo rose and headed toward the house. Their conversation hadn’t been quiet, so the fact that Lucca had claimed what so many clearly wanted earned glares and loud whispers that spread to any who had missed his declaration. Joining his father and there men they all followed Angelo and his people into the house. Angie wasn’
t there. Fury raced through Lucca; he was ready to unleash his anger on the guard who he’d seen Angie leave as he approached. When the guard went to whisper something in Angelo’s ear, Lucca stopped him. “Where is she?” he demanded harshly, uncaring if he was breaking the rules. If that motherfucker had let her escape, he would beg for death.
Glaring at him, the guard looked to his boss. When he got the nod, “In the tower,” the gaurd begrudgingly told Lucca. If possible, Lucca’s face got even colder as the words princess in the tower kept running through his mind.
Before he could go find her, Angelo spoke. “Please join me in my office. There are things we need to discuss regarding my niece.” Turning back to his man, Angelo added, “Al, take three men with you to guard her door, and send another five to stand under all the windows of her room. Ask her to remain in her room until I send for her.”
Stopping him, Lucca told several of their men to join his, figuring the more people, the less likely Angie could charm them to get past them. Ignoring the looks thrown his way, Lucca turned and followed his father and Angelo into the study.
Going to the bar, Angelo poured all of them drinks. Handing them out, he went to a group of chairs and indicated for everyone to sit. Instead of addressing Lucca, Angelo turned to his father Antonio. “You’ve met my niece before? I saw your daughter with her.”
“Yes, Angelo, she was a friend of my daughter, Maria,” his father replied.
Angelo looked down at his glass for a long moment. “She knows nothing of the contract between our families. After she returned to us,” he stopped, only to try again. “Angelica is not like other women of the families. There have been things in her life, when she was not with us that molded her.” Stopping again, he shook his head. “Antonio, my old friend, please just take what I offer and allow that girl to live in as much peace as she can find.”
Before his father could say anything, “She belongs to me,” Lucca said quietly, having reined in his temper as Angelo spoke. Now that he knew where she was, he could think clearly, not let his emotions rule me. Angelo knew the things Angie had done and was trying to protect her. Angelo wasn’t planning on giving her to someone else; he was trying to set her free, going so far as to be willing to give one of his daughters and a fortune to see it happen. He was being noble. Unfortunately, Lucca wasn’t so noble; Angie or Angelica belonged to him and with him, and he would destroy any who tried to keep what was his from him. Now that he knew she could be found, he would never stop hunting. “I know what she is and what her life has been. There are no secrets; there is nothing that should be spoken except that I will have her and no other.”
Nodding his head in resignation, Angelo stood. “Remain here; I need to go speak with her. I’ll bring her when I’m finished.”
As the door closed, Lucca walked to the window and looked out on the party as his Father and he quietly waited. His father knew there was nothing that would change his mind, so he remained silent. He understood that Lucca would never let her go. Lucca would use every threat, every dirty play to have her. He would slaughter her entire family if he had to. She would be made to understand that he would never let her go. It was fate, and one did not fight fate.
Chapter 19
Angie was still staring out the window when she heard Angelo enter. Fear that had never been present once in over ten years filled her, though nothing showed. It was the fear of a mother for her child. Had her own mother felt it as she stared at her all those years ago? Had she hid it, as she was doing? Turning, Angie saw the look on Angelo’s face and knew she was right to fear whatever he was about to say would irrevocably change the course of her life.
“There are some things I have kept from you,” Angelo started, giving her the decency of directness. Walking closer, he looked out the window before bringing his eyes back to hers. “Years ago, your parents picked a husband for you, signing a contract that I have spent the last year trying to get you out of. Today was supposed to be the day when you were set free; Sophia was to take your place. Unfortunately, now that he has seen you, he will not take Sophia or the money I offered. He will only take you.”
Knowing who it was, she still needed the confirmation. “I was given to Lucca Salvatici, wasn’t I?”
“Yes. I tried to explain that it would be best for him to take Sophia, that there had been incidents in your past that would make you an unsuitable wife, but he wouldn’t hear it. He would only say that he knew and still wanted you.” Sighing, Angelo reached out and took her hand. “I wanted you to be free. After everything that was done to you, you deserved that, and I can no longer give it to you. If you don’t honor the contract, it will mean war.” He squeezed her hand. “I will respect your wishes, no matter what you decide.”
In other words, he would risk the family to give Angie her freedom. Looking at him, she knew he meant it; if Angie wanted to run, he would let her and deal with what was to come because of the guilt he felt. She would never let him bear this burden; it was hers alone. After everything Angie had done to protect and defend the family, she wouldn’t allow it to be destroyed for this. She would not risk Michael or the life he had built. The family he loved. She also couldn’t kill Lucca and set herself free. She couldn’t kill the father of her child. All she had left was her honor, and it demanded that she fulfill her parents’ contract. Needing a moment to herself to come to terms with the life-altering decision she was making, Angie said, “Can you give me a moment?”
“Of course. I’ll be in my office. Join us when you’re ready.” Squeezing her hand once more, Angelo added, “Whatever you decide, do it for yourself, not for the family. You have sacrificed enough for the family. I would never expect more from you.” Letting go of her hand, he walked toward the door, then stopped. “Why are you here? Not that I’m not happy to see you, but if you hadn’t come, he would have accepted Sophia and this wouldn’t be happening.”
Slowly, the truth his words brought began to seep in. Why was she here for the wedding? She was here because a woman she had had almost no contact with in over ten years wanted her here. She was here because Eva had convinced her that Michael needed to see her. All the pieces fell into place. The guilty looks, the fear, the way none of them wanted to be alone with her. Keeping everything that was speeding through her mind from her face, she just said, “Please give me a moment. I’ll be right down.” Turning, Angie went to the window, looking down at the happy couple surrounded by their happy family. The darkness filled her.
She should be used to being betrayed by her own family. She should not be surprised that a woman she saved and gave a new life to spit in her face to show her new friend loyalty, instead of being loyal to the woman who killed her rapist. Leaving the window, Angie went to the door. There was something she had to do before she went to see Lucca. Walking past her guards, she went down the stairs and straight outside, ignoring them as they told her she was to go to the office. She would, but in her own time.
They saw her coming. They were laughing and smiling together, enjoying themselves. How dare they enjoy themselves after the ruin they had brought upon her child’s life? Eva was the first to see Angie coming. Her face froze in mid laugh as terror filled her gaze before she could partially mask it. Then, one by one, the others noticed me. She must not have told them what was to come because only guilt filled their faces. Letting go of what she had kept locked within her, Angie let it fill her face, taking great pleasure when their gazes changed from guilt to fear. One of the guards must have rushed to Angelo to tell him that she’d gone outside instead of to the office. The three men had left the office through the French doors and were now behind the women moving toward them.
Seeing her face gave her Uncle Angelo pause; paling, he looked from his family to her. He must have figured out how she had gotten there. Rushing forward, he put himself in front of his wife and daughters, trying to act as if nothing was wrong. “Niece, I need to speak with you in my office.”
Her voice was pure silk and deadly. “Un
cle, I need to have a word with the blushing bride, your wife, Eva, and of course little Sophia first.” Knowing what he had tried to do for her, she added, “We’ll all speak inside, when I’m finished with them.” He knew that was the best he was going to get from her; with a few quiet words, there little party was heading inside. Stopping at the door, Angie felt Lucca and Antonio behind her. She didn’t bother to turn around. “This is a family matter; please give us a moment, then we will conclude our business.” Not waiting to see if they agreed, she walked in and closed the door behind her.
Angelo was furious, speaking softly at the women while glancing at her. Going to the bar, Angie poured herself a drink and lit a cigarette, listening to Angelo growl. “Do you understand what you have done?” All she could think was that only Eva truly did.
Taking her drink, Angie went to lean against the desk, her eyes now set on her prey. She was tired of this. “No, Angelo, they don’t, but I’m about to explain.”
Stiffening, he turned to look at her, his hand sliding to his gun. Angie shook her head. “You wouldn’t live long enough to get it out.” Sucking in their breath, the women stared at her in shock. Ignoring them, she set her glass down. “Out of respect for what you tried to do for me, I won’t kill any of them this time, and I will ignore the fact that you were going to try to kill me. I understand better than most family loyalty. Maybe you should have done a better job of teaching it to them. I want you to leave while I speak with them; you have my word they will all leave this room alive.” Indecision played in his eyes; he was trusting the lives of his family to a woman he barely knew. Finally, with the slightest of nods, he stepped away, ignoring their pleas, and left the way they had entered.
Angelica (The Family Book 1) Page 11
