Chapter 7 Ultimatum

• "Shush."
• I screamed again and tried to push him off me but he held tighter.
• "What the heck are you doing? Let go of me." I struggled against him.
• Alessio rolled his eyes and loosened his grip on me, I wiggled out of his hold and sat up straight.
• "Don't ever do that again," I glared. "We're not romantically involved with each other. I may be your wife but that's in name only."
• Alessio lifted an eyebrow in a bored manner, " That wasn't what it seemed like lady night when you passed out in my arms and refused to let go of me when I tried to put you to bed."
• My face heated up and I looked away, "I-I have no idea what you're talking about."
• Alessio got up from the bed, the bed cover falling from his body revealing his exposed torso and bare thighs, he was wearing a pair of silk black boxers. I shut my eyes but not before getting a good luck at his body.
• "What the heck? Couldn't you have given me a heads-up, you're practically naked."
• "Practically naked?" His voice dripped with amusement. "If you want me naked who am I to refuse." Through my fingers I saw him toying with the hem of his underwear.
• "Don't you dare!" I turned my back on him, burying my face into my pillow.
• "You better get up, today's going to be a long one. We're having important guests." Alessio said as he walked around the room, I peeked and saw that he was going into the bathroom.
• I waited until he was inside and the shower was on before asking, "Important guests? Who are they? Your fellow mafia clique."
• "No, my parents." He answered
• I almost choked on my saliva, "Your parents? You have parents?"
• The sound of the shower stopped. There was shuffling inside the bathroom before the door cracked open, revealing Alessio’s face—calm, but with a dangerous edge.
• "What the hell do you mean by that?" His voice was too quiet. Too controlled.
• I swallowed, running a hand through my hair. "I-I didn’t mean anything by it. I was just surprised, that’s all. I thought… I mean, in movies and books, people in your line of work usually don’t have families. You know, tragic backstory and all."
• Alessio’s gaze lingered on me before he sighed. His stance softened, but his voice remained firm. "Don't believe everything you watch and read."
• He went back into the bathroom and shut the door.
• I stayed in bed until Alessio came out of the bed and dressed up.
• "I'll send someone to help you get ready, your ankle will make things difficult for you." He stood in front of the full-length mirror adjusting the collar of his black button-up shirt.
• "I don't need anyone's help, I can manage." I protested.
• "Why do you always have to be so difficult? Will it kill you to accept help when you need it. I'll send someone to help you and that's the end of it."
• "There's no—" I started to argue but Alessio sent me a sharp look and I shut my mouth immediately.
• "Don't delay, it would be detrimental to you, if my family's first impression of you is tardiness." He said as he wore his Rolex watch. He glanced at me, took one last look at himself in front of the mirror then left the room.
• A few minutes later, a petite pretty lady around my age with shoulder-length blonde hair walked in. She smiled kindly and for the first time since I arrived at the house, I felt a wave of peace. Something about her energy was very welcoming.
• "Hello Madam, I'm Elena, I work in the house as one of the caretakers, Boss appointed me as your personal assistant. I'm here to help you with anything and everything you need."
• "Thank you, Alina but I really don't need anyone's help. I'm perfectly capable of doing everything by myself. I just need to take a shower and get ready to meet Alessio's family."
• She moved towards me like a puppy eager to meet its owner, "Madam, I can help you with that. Your leg is hurt, you need my help."
• I shifted underneath the duvet, "I'm not really comfortable with that. Please stay away."
• Alina frowned like I had kicked her favourite toy, "I just want to help you." She poured. Oh God, why was she so cute.
• I sighed, "fine, you can help me into the bathroom but you'll wait outside until I'm done and I call for you."
• She brightened and nodded, "Whatever you say, Madam."
• "Please call me, Becca. Madam makes me feel like I'm eighty years old."
• "Sure." She grinned.
• Alina helped me off the bed and into the bathroom, she set down the toiletries I would need and clothes to change into. I took my bath with some struggle because of my ankle then dressed into the clothes. A gorgeous knee-length chiffon dress with a sweetheart neckline was the outfit she chose. I exited the bathroom and she did my hair and makeup.
• "You are definitely going to wow Don and Donna De Luca." Alina chirped.
• "How long have you worked here? Do you know Alessio's parents well? What can you tell me about them?" I inquired, the first rule of battle was to know one's enemy well.
• She scratched her head, "Well— I've only met them a handful of times. My father is one of the former Don's top men. From what I've seen, Donna Fiona seems like a soft and docile woman who follows the orders of her husband but one time, I saw that she wasn't as docile as I initially thought. Don Matteo is — how do I put this? He's a hard man that believes he knows best. That's all I can say."
• I groaned silently, so I was going to be dealing with probable abuser and his victim. Today was really going to be a long day.
• Elena's phone buzzed and she looked the message, her eyes widened, "Oh no, that was Boss, his parents are here. You have to go down now."
• I sighed and dragged myself up, time to face my beloved in-laws.
• I left the room and went downstairs. The tension in the room could be cut with a knife, Alessio's parents were seated on one sofa, Alessio was another. He patted the space next to him and I went over to his side.
• He stood and took my hand in his. "Father, ma, this is Rebecca, my wife."
• Alessio's father tipped his head back and guffawed, "Wife? Boy, don't make me laugh. You got married?"
• Alessio's jaw ticked, "I did. I'm of age, aren't I?"
• His father crossed his arms over his chest and looked at our hands, amused, "You certainly are but this is a shock to me."
• Alessio opened his mouth to speak but Don Matteo lifted a hand.
• "Now, now—hold on a moment." He stood, chuckling even louder. "Alessio, you really are my son. Rushing into marriage just days after my ultimatum."
• I stiffened. "Ultimatum?"
• Alessio tensed beside me.
• His father grinned. "You would rather get married than lose your position as Mafia Lord to your cousin. You’re a wise boy."
• My stomach twisted. Is that why he married me?
• I turned to Alessio, my voice barely above a whisper. "Tell me he’s lying."
• He said nothing.