Page 45 of Unrestricted
"Do you think so?"
"I know so. What about accessories? Do you have a purse, shoes, jewelry?"
"Not yet." Giuliana smiles. "Perhaps you could help me with those."
"Uh…" How do I answer that? I can't exactly tell her I'd love to help her if Adriano will allow me to leave the house for a day.
"Eliza would be delighted to shop with you, Mamma," Adriano surprises me by saying. "A little closer to the event, yes?"
"Yes, of course. She can pick her dress too." Now this conversation is getting awkward. Giuliana looks between me and Adriano. "Unless you two aren't together."
"We're not." I say at the exact same time as Adriano says. "We are."
I laugh self-consciously.
"This is very new between us, Mamma," Adriano says. "Eliza is a little less certain of the future than I am. Besides, she has a prior commitment on the date of the wedding."
I almost laugh at my captivity being sold as a prior commitment. Clearly Adriano thinks I’m more dedicated to being his prisoner than I actually am because I hadn’t imagined being in this position months from now.
Still, I appreciate him covering for me because worming out of that might have gotten awkward.
Giuliana looks genuinely disappointed that I won’t be attending the wedding. It’s odd since we don't even know each other yet. That said, I can already tell I like her. Perhaps she feels the same about me. I'd like to think she does.
"Well, who knows if the wedding will even take place.” Giuliana says. "Poor Ava has had to move the date so often, what with her children constantly deciding to get married."
"All six of them are settled now," Benito says. "It's Ava's turn."
"She deserves it. She'll make a beautiful bride." Giuliana raises a hand to her chest and sighs dramatically. "Six children and she never lost her figure. You know, Eliza, she doesn't look a day over forty. And her hair? Stunning."
"So is yours," I say, sensing Adriano's mother is about to come down hard on herself again because she thinks she doesn't measure up to his aunt. "You should sweep it back. People need to see your face. You have incredible cheekbones."
Giuliana smiles as a blush tinges her cheeks. Adriano places his hand over mine and squeezes. There's an appreciative gleam in his eye.
Benito, who's watching carefully, clears his throat. "Why don't you ladies get some coffee and find someplace to chat about clothes and shit? I want to talk business with Adriano."
As Giuliana and I both take the not so subtle hint and rise from our chairs, Benito and Adriano both stand. I'm starting to think the mafia runs etiquette classes for their members because they're all so well-mannered. Well, until they're not.
Adriano leans over so only I can hear him. "Be back in your room by midnight,cara."
"Why? Will I turn into a pumpkin if I'm not?"
He brushes his lips against my ear. "Midnight, or else."
There's no need to ask or else what. I have a decent handle on what he considers punishment by now.
"Yes, sir."
Is it my imagination or did he shudder when I said sir. I wouldn't be surprised if the idea of me calling him that turns him on. That's precisely why it won't be happening.
As I follow Giuliana from the room, I glance back over my shoulder. Adriano and Benito are both watching us go. There's no mystery about what the main topic of conversation will be. I'm right there at the top of the list.
FIFTEEN
Adriano
The women have barely left the room when Benito leans back in his chair and gives me a look I know too well. Usually it's aimed at others but it seems I'm the one he wants to interrogate right now.
"Well?" he asks.
