Chapter 3 Easier said than done

Bianca

"It's my pleasure, Bianca. You may not know a lot of us. But we all deeply cared for your mamá, and well, you of course." He says his accent is peeking through, and I give him a small, genuine smile. Mamá spoke highly of La Famiglia and loved them all.

Alessio scans my face, and I can see he's thinking about something, but he decides it's better to speak about it and focuses on his plate of food.

I do the same, all the while thinking of how uneasy I feel about being here.

. . .

I spend the rest of the day moping around in the comfort of the room that I have now claimed as my sanctuary. I debate calling Jacob or Lily, but I think better of it. They were most likely busy, nor did I really feel like talking to anyone but mamá.

I glance down at her diamond bracelet, which I always wear, and smile at how much she loved this thing. It wasn't the prettiest, but it was the first expensive gift papá had ever given to her.

I was to return to school tomorrow, seeing as my personal holiday was coming to an end, and so, with a less-than-excited huff, I got up and prepared my school uniform. It's only when I'm setting the uniform down on my desk that I hear a knock on my bedroom door.

I wasn't expecting anyone, and so I quickly managed to throw on an oversized crew neck - one that reached mid thigh - in fear of another man seeing me and thinking badly of me. Even if I wore them for myself.

Deciding better of opening the door, I crawl into bed, hiding my bare legs underneath the covers as I call for them to come in.

Not a second later, the door opens, allowing Alessio's tall build to enter, and I stare at the man, mildly shocked.

Alessio makes his way into the room, the sound of his shoes hitting the wooden floors with every step he takes, making me cringe. I thought shoes weren't to be worn inside, well, in the manor's case, the second floor.

He was in a white button-up, with the top few buttons loose and the sleeves rolled up, giving me a good view of his muscular, veiny forearms. The shirt exposed the muscular build of his broad shoulders and thick arms that strained beneath the white material.

He wore slacks, and my gaze went to the watch on his wrist peeking out of the pocket of his slacks. He was surely the most attractive man I had ever seen.

His apprehensive demeanor is so unlike him, yet it only intensifies as he approaches my bed, his hands buried in his pockets. He looked so out of his element, and I wanted to examine him, but I was too busy averting my gaze to my lap.

"May I?" He questions, nodding towards the bed.

I nod, moving over, making sure to cover my bare legs from him in fear of yet another blow-up.

He seems to notice as a frown forms on his lips, and he shakes his head at me. "Please, Principessa. Don't feel like you have to cover up in front of me or any of my men." He takes a seat on the edge of my bed, his large body making everything else look smaller as he shifts towards me.

I scoff, but manage to tone down the sass of my voice, reminding myself that this guy was the don of an affluent crime family I was talking to. "Easier said than done."

"What I said yesterday was inexcusable. But know that you are free to wear whatever makes you comfortable in this house, free of judgment." He clarifies, his tone soft.

I stare up at him blankly, willing myself not to snap at him, for I didn't truly know what the man was capable of if I upset him. After all, he was the mafia don.

His thoughtful gaze moves to my comforter as he sighs. "Liam told me about you liking to wear nice things that make you feel good. So please don't stop because of a stupid comment I made." He looks up, meeting my eye. And although I don't want to, I believe his sincerity.

"What if it happens again?" My tone is soft and hesitant.

Alessio's head snaps up to mine as a hard look covers his face. "It won't. I won't. You have my word."

I nod, believing him, but the frown on my face stays put. "What if the others say something?"

His hard eyes turn cold, and I momentarily think that I have done something wrong. I lean away from him, the action causing his face to soften in realization. "If anyone says anything or does anything, you come to me and tell me, yes?" It's not a question, and my heart momentarily warms at the genuine concern in his voice. He moves closer, staring into my eyes with a look of promise. "I'll handle it, okay?"

"Okay." I smile, the surge of comfort I feel telling me to push it and make things that much harder for him.

A small mischievous smile forms on my lips as I look at him. "But what if..." I furrow my brows, trying to think of something else to say to make it difficult for him, but I'm interrupted by an exasperated, deep groan as Alessio falls back onto the bed.

I giggle, throwing my head back before looking back down to see him staring up at me with a small smile on his face. The type that I want to keep hidden away from everyone else.

It's not in politeness, or because he feels forced to, it's genuine. My smile grows at the sight of such a small yet magnificent sight that could probably bring me to my knees.

Quite literally.

"Give me a break, please. I've been going insane thinking I made things worse for you already." He mumbles, making a show of being extra dramatic. I chuckle in relief, smiling shyly at the suddenly sweet man before me.

Now, this was the Alessio mamá had talked about.

"Okay," I say, taking my pointer finger to poke his cheek.

His smile drifts into a firm look as he sits up and tilts his face to look me in the eye. His eyes regard me with sympathy. "I am truly sorry for the circumstances we must meet under, and I am extremely sorry for your loss." My smile instantly drops at the mention of Mamá. I hated to admit it, but I had spent weeks crying myself to sleep every night. Except for those nights, I had the comfort of someone else sleeping next to me.

Tears gather in my eyes, but I don't want him to see them fall. I hear him shuffle closer as he hesitantly lays a hand on my shoulder in comfort, and I look up to him, seeing a sad smile form on his face. "Your mamá was like family to me. I'm so sorry we failed to protect her. But I will do everything in my power to make sure nothing like that happens to you." He assures, and I force a sad smile.

His eyes scan my face, pausing at my pale blue, almost grey eyes. "Christo, you have eyes just as amazing as your mamá's." He murmurs, smiling sadly, and it's only then that I realize how hard her loss must have been for him, too.

"Mamá used to tell me all about you," I say. He lifts his head, his brown eyes scanning mine for a moment, seeming to be looking for something, and when he doesn't find it, relief settles.

"Your mamá used to tell me about you all the time, too." He nods, his jaw twitching slightly in memory.

I ignore his behavior as my ears perk. "Really? What did she say?"

"She said you're smart, talented... and beautiful." He sends me a lopsided smile as I move closer to him. "She was right." He murmurs, and I beam at him, the compliments making me feel so giddy that I have the urge to hug him, and so, I launch myself into his arms.

He freezes as I wrap my arms around his torso, hugging him, and after a few moments, I feel his arm come around me almost awkwardly, like he's not used to this.

"Promise me you will come to me if you have any problems, and let me take care of it?" He says his voice dripping with eloquence and a light Italian accent that has my mind reeling.

Instead of replying, I nod against his chest, eagerly, basking in his manly scent of cologne and something musky.

"Good." He says, moving me away from him and standing up, a look of determination on his face- one that looks much more like him. "You go back to school tomorrow, yes?" He questions, and I nod.

He glances at his watch and rubs a hand along his sharp jaw."What time is that exactly?"

"Why?" I ask before my eyes light up at him. "Are you going to drive me tomorrow?"

He shakes his head, but I don't let it deter me. "Can you?" I ask hopefully. He looks like he's going to protest, but I blink up at him, giving him my puppy-dog eyes that no man has ever been able to refuse, and even throw in a little, "Please."

That gets him to sigh and nod reluctantly. "I will move some things around. Come to my door in the morning and wait for me, and then we will go."

"Yes, Sir," I respond playfully, smiling up at the man, who stares down at me before averting his gaze with a nod.

I try to hide my giddy smile at the way in which his demeanor did a complete one-eighty while he turns around, but not before the deep, rich voice of his bids me goodbye. "Goodnight, Principessa."

I slip under my covers and smile as he shuts off the lights and closes my door.

Goodnight indeed.