Francesca cried softly in my arms, but I didn’t panic. These were happy tears. I also knew it was because I rarely said the words, so I knew she was feeling touched. I also knew she would defend Remy as fiercely as she defends Robbie. Remy might become my queen, but Francesca was still the church our thrones would be housed in.
Francesca ended up running across the hallway and spilling the beans to Robbie. When I told her Emilio was instructed to bring Remy to Kratos around one, she immediately turned into a typical fangirl and said she had to get Robbie, so they could decide what to make for lunch and whatever else women did when they’ve lost their minds. I tried to assure her that Remy wasn’t the fancy sort, but she made a good point when she asked if Ciro was invited and, if he was, lunch needed to be perfect to combat any of his idiocy.
I didn’t argue.
I let Francesca do whatever she felt she needed to do to make a good impression on Remy and saved myself from the ninety percent of a woman that I’ll never understand. Walking into my parents’ home, it was a sad state of affairs when I’d rather endure a meeting with Gio than make lunch plans with Francesca.
Walking through the house, I didn’t bother looking for my mother. It was Saturday and she usually spent her Saturdays primping. It was no secret that Gio’s kept mistresses over the years, most of his generation did. And, even though, Gio would never divorce my mother, Carlita always made sure she was a challenge for the competition. It was all stupid if you asked me.
I walked into Gio’s office without knocking because why would I? He was expecting me, and we were past the point where I needed to pretend to respect the man in private. In public, he was still my father and the head of the Benetti Family. In private, he was just an asshole.
He was sitting behind his desk and didn’t look at all surprised by my disrespect in not knocking. “What now?” I asked without preamble.
Gio cocked his head, a sly grin on his face. “Just touching base, Son,” he drawled out. “I heard you weren’t into higher education anymore, and I was just curious.” Enduring years of his beatings taught me not to react to his bullshit. “Are you pushing up the deadline? Finally caving to the elders’ concerns and getting yourself a respectable woman?”
I wasn’t sure who was feeding Gio information, but it was obvious that someone was. First, Nelson and, now, Remy. However, I wasn’t going to lie to him. I didn’t want him thinking he had an edge on me. Remy wasn’t exactly a secret, but I wanted to talk with her first before throwing her to the wolves. We said some shit last night, but we didn’t really cement anything. I wanted her to meet everyone first. That’s what lunch was today.
“Is that why I’m here?” I asked, bored. “Once again, you want to talk about where I stick my dick?”
“I’m just curious, Son,” he repeated. “Word on the street is you’re tied in with some little nobody, and I’m just wondering why? You kept your teacher discretely, but not this one.”
He was behind the guy at the café. I could feel it. The only thing I didn’t know was if he did it to see what Remy was made of, or if he did it to scare her off.
I planted both hands on his desk and leaned in so as not to misunderstand what I was about to tell him. He needed to tread carefully. “Stay out of my personal life, Gio,” I warned. “Or else I’ll start returning the favor.” I didn’t wait for his response. I walked out and immediately made plans to find Gio’s snitch.
Chapter 14
Remy~
The ride over was nerve wracking.
There was a lot said last night, but nothing finalized, so to speak. I knew Luca wanted me, and I’d already given up the fight, but what did that mean? He had peppered me with a lot of pretty words and promises, but I also woke up alone this morning. He had left a note on my nightstand telling me he was sending a car for me around one, but that was it. It left a lot to be desired, and I wondered if I was his girlfriend or his hook-up.
Emilio, my new best friend apparently, had told me he was my guard. As long as I wasn’t with Luca or at Kratos, apparently the name of the apartment building Luca lived in, he would be with me. I had so many questions, but the only man who could answer them was missing and I didn’t have his phone number to ask.
I had to laugh at that. Last night, I let the man do things that I’d never let anyone do to me before and I didn’t even have his phone number. Even though I was on birth control, I let him have unprotected sex with me-something I’ve never done before-and I didn’t even know how to get a hold of him outside asking Emilio. In between bouts of sex last night, we’d had the safety conversation and even though we’d always used protection previously, it was still a risk and something I hadn’t taken lightly. Even if we were both healthy, there was still the possibility of an unplanned pregnancy and I couldn’t even imagine what it would mean to be pregnant with Luca Benetti’s child.
And, God, the tattoos.
When we had finally gotten
