Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 84756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
His hands settle on my hips, and our eyes lock.
“Keep tempting me, and I’ll cancel the poker game.”
My features tighten with nerves. “Do you think they’ll approve of me?”
He lifts a hand to my face and cups my cheek. “Only my approval matters, mia regina. They have no choice but to accept you.”
When he pulls away, I say, “I’m just going to do my makeup. I’ll be down soon.”
“Take your time,” he murmurs before leaving the room.
I remove the jacket, so I don’t get powder on it, and sitting by my dressing table, I get to work.
I take extra care with the eyeshadow and highlight my cheekbones.
When I’m done, I put on the jacket again before adding a black choker with a single diamond around my neck.
Looking at my reflection, I lift my chin.
You’ve got this.
Leaving my bedroom, I head down the stairs. When I reach the second floor’s landing, I see Damiano greeting a group of men, their women standing near them, but not touching my man.
One of the men glances in my direction, and shock flashes over his features as he says, “Now it makes sense.”
“What?” Another man asks before he sees me. “Holy fuck.”
Damiano’s eyes lock on me, and he walks to the bottom of the stairs. His tone is soft as he orders, “Come, mia regina.”
My heart beats a little faster as I take the stairs down to him, and when I place my hand in his, I lift my chin higher and look at the other men.
“Introduce me,” I say with the same tone Damiano uses when issuing a demand.
Damiano gestures at each of the men. “Angelo Rizzo and his wife, Vittoria. Franco Vitale and his wife, Samantha. Renzo Torrisi and Skylar. And last but not least, Dario La Rosa and Eden.”
I don’t reach my hand out and nod at them instead. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Looking stunned, Angelo shakes his head, then he glances at Damiano, who says, “This is Gabriella di Bella. My fiancée.”
“Holy fuck,” Renzo mutters again. “You got engaged? When?”
“Doesn’t matter,” Damiano replies.
“Just nod if you need to escape,” Dario says, his tone playful.
Damiano lets go of my hand and wraps his arm around my lower back.
His voice is dark as he growls, “Don’t start with me, Dario.”
Pulling away from him, I glance at the women. A smile tugs at my mouth as I say, “Care to join me in the sitting room?”
“Yes, please,” Samantha says.
As we walk to the sitting room where Aunt Aida and Mrs. Accardi are waiting, Vittoria murmurs, “I love your outfit.”
“Thank you.” I offer her a grateful smile. When we walk into the room, I say, “Our guests are here, Aunt Aida.”
While the women greet Aunt Aida and Mrs. Accardi, I take a moment to look at the women.
They’re all beautiful, but it doesn’t escape my attention that I’m the shortest.
I lift my chin higher as I take a seat on an armchair.
As soon as everyone is comfortable, Samantha looks at me. “So…you’re engaged to Damiano? We weren’t aware he was dating.”
“We didn’t date,” I answer honestly.
“It’s an arranged marriage?” Vittoria asks. When I nod, she says, “It was the same for me and Angelo.” My eyes lower to her pregnant belly, then she adds, “We’re very happy.”
“When are you due?”
“Soon.” She lets out a chuckle. “But not soon enough.”
My eyes drift to Skylar and Eden, and noticing Eden looks a little uncomfortable, I say, “Eden, you must be feeling out of sorts, having just met everyone as well?”
“You have no idea,” she chuckles. “It’s a little overwhelming.”
“We’ll get used to everything together,” I assure her.
“Ahh, here’s the tea and cake,” Mrs. Accardi says as Martha pushes a cart into the sitting room.
There’s also wine with a cheese and crackers platter, catering for those who prefer something salty.
I glance at Aunt Aida, and reaching over, I place my hand on hers. “Would you like some cake?”
She nods. “Just a small piece, cara.”
Everyone waits for me to get tea and cake for Aunt Aida before they start to help themselves.
I place the tea on the side table and guide Aunt Aida’s hand to the plate. “It’s carrot cake. I know you don’t like the icing, so I took it off.”
“Thank you, cara,” she murmurs.
I get some tea for myself, and sitting down, I keep an eye on my future mother-in-law in case she needs help.
“Seeing as everyone’s here,” Mrs. Accardi says. “The wedding is on the twenty-first.”
“Of which month?” Skylar asks.
“This month,” I answer. “It’s next Saturday, and you’re all invited. The invitations will be delivered on Monday.”
“Wow, Damiano isn’t wasting any time,” Samantha murmurs.
I let out a chuckle. “No, he isn’t.”
“Do you need help with the arrangements?” Vittoria asks.
“Mrs. Accardi has everything under control,” I reply. “Thank you for the offer, though.”
“Call me Aunt Greta, cara,” she says, a frown forming on her forehead. “I didn’t even realize you were still calling me Mrs. Accardi.”