Mob Princess

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Eighteen

Luca

Her hand was sweaty.

And she had a wide eyed, almost dazed look on her face.

Stefano was standing at my side; he had turned up exactly when I had told him to, but he hadn’t said a word. His lips were drawn into a thin line. He didn’t understand but he would soon.

As soon as this was official. I would explain it to him, and he would understand. For now, the less people who knew the better. I couldn’t risk her over hearing anything and running.

As I slipped my mother’s ring onto her finger, her eyes grew round and for a split second I thought she would run, she actually glanced towards the door and beside me Stefano tenses. I hadn’t told him to get her if she changed her mind, but he was primed and ready anyway.

Not that it mattered, she didn’t run. Just gave me a flashing smile.  Conflicting emotions warring across her face.

“You may now kiss the bride”

I didn’t hesitate to pull her towards me and for the first time since we had stepped foot in the little chapel her body relaxed as she kissed me back.

“Hello wife”

She gulped; I heard her throat working.  Then she laughed, and the doubt went from her face. What ever she had been warring with, she had let it go.

Good job too.

It was much to late for second thoughts now.

“Not sure I’m ever going to get used to being called that”

“You best get used to it… wife” I kissed her again and then turned her to Stefano. Luckily for him he had his own forced smile on his face. If he had greeted my wife with a scowl, I would have broken his teeth so he could never smile again without some serious dental work.

“Congratulations Luca” He nodded politely/ “Ali…. Mrs. Moretti” His eyes flicked to my face and it was clear what he was thinking. I had some seriously explaining to do.  “You look beautiful” He kissed both her cheeks.

“Thank you, Stefano, this must seem crazy to you” She seemed to be over the initial panic and was back to being gracious.

My pretty little English princess.

“Anyone with eyes in their head has been able to tell that Luca has been crazy about you since he first saw you”

I grinned at him. It was the perfect thing to say. I made mental note to thank him at a later date. When I explained to him what the hell I was doing. It was conversation that was overdue, but it would have to wait for tonight.

Tonight, I had other things I needed to do.

I was a husband now and I had husbandly duties to carry out.

I had been thinking of getting her out of that dress from the moment I had first seen her in it.

“I will catch up with you in the morning” My message was clear.

Time for him to make himself scarce.

His grin widened.

“Congratulations again, and welcome to the family Mrs. Moretti” He disappeared, and I was left with my new wife.

“So, what now?” She was shuffling again, as if unsure. hell, I was unsure. This was the first time I had gotten married as well.

“Now I take you back and rip that dress from your tight little body” My words were hushed, whispered in her ear and she blushed scarlet.

I would never get sick of her blushes.

“But first we need to do something”

“and that is?” Her arms had loosened around my neck, her body inching away.

“I need to tell my father”

“Dad” I lent forward, elbows firmly on my knees and I eyed the older man on the laptop screen. He looked pissed. Which was his normal face. I was used to it, but Alice would think he was mad. Which of course he was. The old man was born in a bad mood. But he wouldn’t be mad at her.

“Luca, this best be important”

“Yes, I would like to introduce you to my wife”

I watched the old mans eyes narrow to slits as I tugged Alice closer. She had been hovering on the other end of the sofa, just out of camera shot.

“Luca, I swear by the virgin if you have done anything stupid over there….”

“Alice, come and meet my father” I interrupted him. It wasn’t something I would usually do, not unless I wanted a beat down but this once I didn’t think he would remind.

“Alice this is my father”

My father’s eyes darted between us, and then a smile curved his mouth.

“Nice to meet you Mr. Moretti” She was pushing her hair behind her ears, looking as shy as she had that first day at the pool.

“And you Miss...” For the first time in years my father was speechless.

“Mrs. Moretti. Mrs. Alice Moretti” I corrected him; I was fighting the urge to speak Italian. To tell him everything. “We are married” I held up her hand, the ring glittering there. My mothers ring. It would be all the proof he needed.

“Well…son I guess congratulations are in order” His eyes were glittering, I could see the malice there, but I was hoping Alice wouldn’t.

My father was a sadistic son of a b***h, but I would keep Alice as far away from him as I possible could.  She might be a means to an end, but she was my wife now.

“I hope I get the pleasure of meeting your beautiful bride in person very soon Luca” His threat was clear. Bring her to New York and pronto.  “We shall have to hold a huge celebration as you two married so quickly and quietly. Tell me who…”

“Stefano was there as witness”

He nodded once.

“I will talk to Alice and let you know when we can fly to New York. I would like her to myself for a few days at least” I kept my voice light. I needed more than a few days just to prepare her for my family.

“Ah yes, you get straight on that son. Grand children would make this old man very happy”

The colour drained from Alice’s face. Her eyes darted. Guess we had never spoken about children. It wasn’t the usual topic of conversation after just a few days and it hadn’t crossed my mind that my father would expect a baby as soon as I could manage it.

“Give us a chance dad, we have plenty of time for that” I closed the lid on the laptop sharply. I would maybe pay for the slight of not saying a proper goodbye at a later date, but I doubted it.

I had just made the old man very very happy.

“come here wife of mine” I tugged at her hand, “Standup”

“Luca what?”

 I placed her between my knees, my hands running up under that sinfully demure dress of hers.

“I want to look at my wife, now stand still”

“You’re bossy” She pouted but she didn’t move as I slipped the dress down her shoulders, my hand smoothing down her arms as she shivered. “Are you cold?”

“No, just nervous”

“Why? You’re not a virgin right?” It would be the ultimate cherry on top of the cake if she was, but I knew that ship had sailed.

“No but what Ca…” She trailed off, looking everywhere but at my face.

So that was the problem. What her so called best friend had said back on the casino floor. About her not liking s*x.  “Do you want to be with me like that? To take the final step” It seemed odd to ask when I had already placed a ring on her finger, but I asked anyway.

“Yes Luca of course, it’s just”

“Then trust me to make it enjoyable for you” I was going to make it more than enjoyable. After tonight I would ruin Alice for every other man.