“Is it Shamrock?” Alana asked nervously.
“I don’t know.”
“Let’s just run,” she urged me on, but I patted her hand and continued straight ahead.
The Mexican came running past us and then stopped at the Limo and opened the back door for us to get in.
This was it, today we were both going to meet our maker, and I would have failed Alana. I looked down at her and she met my eyes with her big green ones. Between the two of us, we made peace with what happens next. She gave my hand a gentle squeeze, and I smiled at her.
“It was a good ride while it lasted lass,” I whispered and then I slipped into the car with her following closely.
“Fergus?!” I exclaimed
“Dad!?” Alana said in shock, “What, I mean why are you… I thought… FBI.”
She made no sense, and I gently touched her hand.
“Irish, you’re a man of your word, I knew you would keep my daughter safe,” Fergus said in his monotone voice, “I was counting down the days to see you Alana, I really thought that Shamrock would get his grubby hands on you.”
I looked at Alana where she sat with her mouth gaping.
“I told you I’ll keep her safe Fergus,” I said and cleared my throat. If he got to know what I got up to with his little princess, I could kiss my Irish arse goodbye.
Fergus moved closer and leaned over to take Alana’s hand, “If there’s one thing I will regret for the rest of my life, is keeping you in the dark. I just didn’t want you exposed to the dangers of being in my line of business…” he started.
“What? You kept it from me, my whole life, and when the shit hits the fan, suddenly I have to just except it?” she blurted out and I cringed.
One thing about Fergus, no-one spoke to him with disrespect, “Alana,” I warned and looked at her.
“What? So now I must just roll over and pretend that none of this mattered?”
“Alana,” Fergus started, “I don’t expect you to forgive me, but I wanted you to know that I only did this to protect you, and in doing that, I put your life in great danger. If it wasn’t for Irish…”
“Leave Irish out of this daddy dearest, this is about betrayal, and you betrayed me.”
Fergus pulled and rubbed his forehead, “I know, and there’s nothing I can do or say that will justify my actions. Right now, I can only ask you to forgive me.”
“Never!” Alana cried and reached for the door, but I pulled her back.
“Hang on, just hear your father out,” I pleaded.
“Irish, it’s fine; I expected this to happen. But the thing is, I can’t protect her anymore. McCleary was found dead in the parking garage at the New York FBI office and Sully was taken out by Shamrock. There is no way to clear my name even if I could. Without their testimonies and the proof, which McCleary had with him, I’m a sitting duck.”
I frowned and looked at Fergus, “What are you trying to say?”
“I’m done, the FBI has already dispatched a team to come and take me, and to be honest I’m tired of running.”
“But Fergus, you can’t just give up!”
Fergus shook his head and then looked at Alana, “She cares for you Irish, and you care for her, I could see it the moment you walked through customs. Goose also told me how taken she was with you.”
“Wait, a minute…” I tried to interrupt, but Fergus held up his hand.
“You’re the only one I can trust to make sure she’s out of danger. I’ve transferred the last of my funds into an off-shore account for Alana. You need to take it and move on as Mr and Mrs Muller. You have no choice.”
I was shocked to the core, Fergus was actually handing his daughter to me, just like that? Shocked I shook my head, “I don’t think it’s a good idea,” I started and then I looked at Alana and my heart cramped in my chest. How could I just turn away from her now?
“Dad?” she whispered, “Where are you going to go?”
He smiled at her and took her hand in his, “I’m not running this time,” he said and closed his eyes, “You two best be on your way before the suits get here. Keep her safe Irish, make her happy.”
I nodded and then reached for Alana’s hand, “Come, we have to move.”
She pulled her hand out and flung her arms around her dad’s neck, “Dad please! You can’t just give up!” she cried.
“Alana, sweetheart…” I begged, “We don’t have much time.”
Her dad pried her hands loose and nodded, “Be happy love, someday we’ll meet again.”
Irish tugged me by my hand, practically dragging me out of my dad’s arms. Although I hated him for keeping his life a secret, he was still my dad. And seeing him so down and out broke my heart.
Tugged along by Irish’s fast pace, I kept looking back to where the Limo still stood, half expecting to see a SWAT team storming his car, but nothing like that happened.
“Alana!” Irish shouted and shook me by my shoulders, “I need you to stay with me. I swear to you, your dad will be back one day. Right now, we need to think about us.”
Us? Did Irish just say us? I blinked a few times and looked up at him, “By us, you mean you and me?”
He smirked as he pulled me into one of the phone booths, and then rested his forehead against mine, “We are Mr and Mrs Muller, might as well embrace it.”
A bubble of laughter pushed up from within me, and regardless of the circumstances, there was still a silver lining around the storm of my life, and having Irish by my side to brave the storm, I really didn’t need anything else.
THE END
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Traded: An Arranged Marriage Romance
Chapter 1
Louis lazily leaned against the door jamb as the tall promiscuous blonde left with her shoes in her hand. She was just one of many who passed through this door in the past few months.
“Louis,” his father said tautly, “you need a wife.”
“Scusami?” he asked and turned to his father, “you can’t be serious.”
“I am dead serious. I will not allow you to bring these whores into my home. These debauched ways of yours is bringing shame to our family name.”
“It’s the twenty first century, and it’s called entertainment. I have no need or desire to find myself bound to one woman for the rest of my life,” Louis stated and closed the front door.
“This is not a request, and if you do not find a wife, I will find one for you,” his father stated matter-of-factly.
Unbelievable, if it wasn’t enough that his father called the shots for everything related to the family business. He was now calling the shots on his life. But he knew better than to go against his father’s wishes. Stefano Angelino was one of the most feared Dons in Italian circles and he did not make idle threats. When he gave an order, everyone jumped, and if they didn’t, they simply disappeared. And being his father’s right hand man and advisor didn’t exclude him from this harsh reality.
He threw his hands in the air and shook his head, “Bene! I’ll find a wife if that pleases you,” he exclaimed.
There was a calculated silence as Stefano stood studying his son’s reaction. He may be considered an old fool where his children were concerned but he wasn’t born yesterday. He knew when he was being played, and right now Louis was simply in agreement for the sake of it. If he had to leave it up to his son to pick his own wife, who knows what wet rat he’ll drag into this house. With money at his every beck and call he could pay a woman to pretend to be his wife.
“I will pick your wife for you,” he said determined and by the look on Louis’ face, the curve ball undeniably caught his son off guard.
“Is forcing me to marry not enough, now you wish to pick my bride?” Louis rambled off angrily. “If mother was alive she wou
ld not have allowed this at all.”
“You will have respect for the dead Louis,” he said and glared at his son, “Gino Benedetti and his family will be visiting us from America and you will ask for his daughter’s hand in marriage, capisci?”
He could see the cogs turning in his son’s head. The moment when it dawned on Louis that having Gino’s daughter as his daughter-in-law presented the opportunity to have a greater foothold in New York was perfect.
“You are marrying me off to Belinda? She’s a terrible match father; she’s a shy faded grey mouse.”
Stefano laughed and shook his head, “You haven’t seen her in almost ten years. How can you know what she is like now? You’ll ask for her hand in marriage, and that’s the end of it.”
Louis stared after his father in disbelief, this cannot possibly be happening? Belinda of all people is to become his wife. He walked over to the drinks cabinet and poured himself a whiskey, his brain kicking into gear. I will ask for her hand in marriage father, but you can only lead a horse to the water, he thought wickedly and tossed the amber liquid down his throat.
Chapter 2
Belinda tuned out her friend Natalie’s constant nagging about weight loss, Banting this, and Banting that, she was Italian for god sakes and had no time for fad diets. Italians lived to eat, it was their culture, hence the fact that she loved her job as the head chef and manageress at her father’s restaurant. She may have spent all her teenage years in New York, but she still kept her Italian heritage. She looked at the stock list again and then handed it to her friend.
“This should be enough to last you for the next two weeks. And before you know it, I’ll be back,” she said sounding almost too positive. She hated having to leave the restaurant in someone else’s care. Even if Natalie was her most trusted friend and the best sous chef she ever had the pleasure to work with, she hated shifting her responsibilities unto others.
“I’ll be fine Bee, I promise and so will the restaurant. You won’t have a thing to worry about,” her friend reassured her.
“I know. It’s just that two weeks is such a long time to be away from El Pescore. I still think I can convince my father to let me stay behind,” she said tapping her index finger on her lips.
“You haven’t had a vacation in over three years, and you love Italy, so now is your chance. Just go and come back in one piece,” Natalie said and tugged the stock list out of Belinda’s hand. “And if you happen to find a hot Italian hunk, get his number.”
Natalie laughed and took off her apron, hanging it on the hook, “Trust me, if I can help it, I’ll avoid them all. Italian men are arrogant and ostentatious, especially the newer generation. To them status is more important than common decency.”
She knew all too well how Italian men operated. Her father was a typical example. Since she can remember, her mother had to always do as she was told. And even though her mother hardly ever complained, she knew that, that was not the life she would want for herself.
If she ever did marry, it would be to a gentle soul who gave as much as he took. She would marry a man with a heart of gold and a love for food, one who would love her with her extra padding and all.
“Belinda, the shuttle is here,” her father called from the office.
“Coming papa,” she responded and hugged Natalie, “If you need anything, just email me, I’ll be online.”
“Stop fussing so much, we’ll be fine and I promise you, El Pescore will still be standing when you get back.”
She glanced around the kitchen one last time and then took her purse and headed out to the shuttle. Maybe this holiday was just I need, she the shuttle pulled away. She was going to enjoy herself and come back refreshed and ready to take the bull by the horns.
Chapter 3
It’s been a while since she last visited Palermo, but even after all these years nothing much had changed. There were still many thriving market places in nearly every corner and small apartments were stacked high above the streets giving their occupants a bird’s eye view of the hustle and bustle below.
They exited Palermo, leaving behind the crowded streets and made their way along the winding road through the vineyards towards Villa Valentina Paci. She couldn’t help but notice her father’s mood deteriorate the closer they got to their destination, it was as if he was drawn into himself more now than ever before.
“Everything okay papa?” she asked placing her hand on his.
“Of course tesoro, why do you ask?” he said and smiled.
“You just seem quiet, that’s all.”
“It’s been a long trip, I’m just tired,” he said and squeezed her hand.
It was a valid reason but she couldn’t help but concern herself over his well-being.
As they approached the gate to the Villa, she noticed the two armed men on either side of the entrance as the gate automatically opened. Their presence sent a cold shiver down her spine. Why on earth would Mr. Angelino have armed guards? She wondered briefly. They finally pulled up to the front of the magnificent Sicilian styled house with its rustic yet modern appearance. And although they were well off, and lived in a luxurious house in the suburbs in NY, this place was far grander than the house they owned.
It wasn’t long before two men exited the house. The older one of the two, presumably her father’s old friend Stefano, was the first to rush down the stairs to greet them.
“Vicchio amico, I’m glad you finally came to visit. It’s been too long,” he greeted and kissed her father on his cheeks, “This must be your be your lovely daughter.”
“Stefano, old friend, it has been long,” her father greeted in return and then stepped back, “Belinda, this is Stefano Angelo, and is his son Louis.”
Belinda smiled, “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” she said softly trying not to pay too much attention to Louis. She had to mentally force herself not to look at him in an attempt to calm her frantic heart.
Natalie was right, Italian men were hunks, and this one was no exception. He had this air of grandeur that made the sun look like a fading lamp in the fog. Dressed in a suit, with his hair impeccably styled, he looked like he stepped out of a fashion magazine. And if his mere presence wasn’t enough, he took her hand in his, which sent a spark of desire shooting through her body.
“Bella,” he said and then brought her hand to his lips, “what a pleasure to finally meet you again. I’ve heard so much about you.”
She was quite surprised by his remark and the fact that she was being discussed at all, since she had no real memory of meeting him when she was younger.
“I trust it was all positive?” she said smiling and withdrew her hand.
“Nothing negative can be said about such a beautiful creature,” he remarked and stepped aside as his father led them into the house.
Not only was he good looking but he could charm a bird out of a tree, she thought feeling his eyes burn into her back. She couldn’t wait to tell Natalie about Prince Charming. It’ll give her a good laugh.
One of the servants of the house came and collected their luggage and the four of them made their way through the house to the terrace. The house was even more beautiful on the inside, and its casual layouts evoked an Old World charm. The interior decorator clearly had an inherent eye for design and the incredibly refined mosaics that adorned the walls simply captivated her.
Chapter 4
Louis studied his unsuspecting soon-to-be-bride as she scrutinized the food and he couldn’t help but smile. She was literally picking at every morsel of food analyzing the textures and the tastes, most likely looking for cooking flaws.
“Is the food to your liking?” he asked her and immediately drew her attention.
“Oh it is, you must have a very skilled chef,” she said smiling, and although he could see the slight blush in her cheeks, she kept her poise.
“I believe you are a master chef back in America,” he stated and took a sip of his wine.
“Hardly a master, but I know my
way around the kitchen and I know what people like to eat,” she said confidently.
She isn’t exactly my type, he thought as he studied her. She was on the shorter side, and curvy, a complete contrast to the women that normally shared his bed. He also preferred blondes; she had long black curly hair that fell loosely over her shoulders and down her back. She was a little too average for his liking, but even so, she was not unsightly. He could definitely work with this and once she was his wife, he would ensure that she was treated to a makeover.
He heard her clear her throat and realized she was staring at him. Caught red handed he lifted his glass to his lips and kept eye contact with her over the brim of the glass until she averted her gaze. Shy – that was nothing short of adorable, he thought and smiled.
“Louis, why don’t you go show Belinda the winery, I’m sure she would love to see it?” his father suggested. And so it starts, the game of ultimate seduction. He still had no idea why his father insisted on taking her as his bride. But going against his father’s wishes was not a chance he was willing to take. Besides, if he grew tired of her nothing would stop him of having a string of very willing mistresses.
He stood up and walked around the table then held out his hand for her, “Would you like to see the winery, signora?” he asked.
Instead of taking his hand she shifted her chair back and got up then kissed her father on his forehead and whispered something in his ear. She was rather mysterious. Just when he thought she was a shy and insecure mouse, who would easily be swayed, she acted the complete opposite, strong willed and determined.
“I’ve always been intrigued by wineries,” she said as they walked down the pebbled path.
“It is an art to create the perfect wine. It has been the essence and life source of our family for decades and is one of the most well-known brands in Italy. It started with my great grandfather who planted the first vineyard and it simply grew from there.”
Sinful Takeover: An Enemies to Lovers Romance (Boardroom Games Book 2) Page 29
