Matteo was for a days. The estate quiet the whole time he was gone but it didn’t bother me much because I was mostly at the hospital. My days at were packed, too. I didn’t have much time to think about him. It made wonder sometimes, what was he most of the time? He was a mysterious one. He be easily figured, and he made clear whenever he wanted space. When he said we should boundaries between us, I he wasn’t playing around. we did previously was going to be a in future. We barely other; it was best to keep our neutral. two of us having a business transaction though it didn’t seem like one. affairs to even were risking our plan. The three-year plan. Well, exactly three years because wanted lifetime. He held close his religion, and he wasn’t to break any rules. At least, there was one good thing life that he held dearly-despite torturing people, he still had heart. It felt weird. returning home. I never thought estate could my new but I ended up calling it ‘home’ single time. The exact same ended up returning to. The days went on as they should, did call or text. Maybe, it his own way of setting boundaries. did wonder about when I was going to fly to Sicily, but I didn’t bother to ask or Angelo. I knew he was doing there in Sicily and I wanted to pry. the it took to fly to Sicily, the longer I could hold off the wedding. I was not to back hitched precisely, eloped. I time to clear my mind. never returned my or texts either. was keeping his distance. I wanted to talk to that night, at least I could hold him off from telling Papa. I assumed didn’t know the engagement yet if he did, he was probably barging in the front door. Papa didn’t call or too. Neither did Mama. They were all keeping their distance, in a way, I appreciated that. needed peace and calm from arrange with Viktor. It was becoming burden, but Matteo was that burden away from me. I didn’t have to worry about saying “I do Viktor. Matteo was going to be my husband. He was protect me from Viktor, at least and Papa. He was to be responsible or at least show everyone he was responsible. the three years, I could see myself Matteo in fake marriage. I couldn’t exactly expect what was going to in another three years after that. I was hoping we were at least friends. We needed develop a friendship for both our sanity. mean, nobody was going to for that long. We could drown in and ignore our marriage but at the end of the day, we were going to head to the same home. were going to into each other before we leave work. We avoid other for as long we wanted. It was going difficult. I had no problem Matteo. I was fine wanted to become friends but for the time being, he wanted to set boundaries. Maybe, we just needed to set boundaries to avoid sexual from happening again, but we didn’t to other. That the plan. I just needed know if going to follow too. “We’re Sicily tonight. said, surprising me. I turned find him the doorway. come inis in?” “When did you c “Just now. I didn’t his footsteps, nor did I hear him coming in. Matteo did a job in hiring him as a bodyguard to protect me. He was really good at being a ghost-I knew he be around estate especially now that was around, but I didn’t expect him to barge in was in thoughts. “Okay, I’ll pack later. “We’re six. As as we got into our flight to Sicily, we to a conversation. Matteo arranged for a private flight our comfort and privacy-it a surprise, either. Papa had more than one private jet and it was always we to fly around. So, Matteo was rich really rich and it was obvious he had than private jet. It was a long flight to Sicily, and I was growing restless. I couldn’t stop about my life. It was going to change, I to make that order to keep peace. Papa was probably going to disown. me, but it was a risk I to take. Mama knew I was stubborn. She was going to support me in anything Papa agree it. “When did he tell you us flying Sicily?” asked, after quiet for the past six hours. Angelo was minding his business, scrolling his phone, reading while I was listening to music and watching a couple of movies. I couldn’t fall asleep to because I was anxious about what was waiting in who waiting me. Well, if he was waiting for me. “He called earlier this morning saying we had to tonight,” replied as he kept looking the window, seeing utterly nothing but the sky. “Did you have any problem with it? “No, I called in for an emergency leave. It should be fine. “What about tomorrow?” told I was going to my hometown and as as I got back, I was going to to work. He nodded at my response, and it was just like that, we chose to keep quiet again. When we landed in Sicily, was already morning. six-hour difference taking a toll on but I tried thinking about it because I didn’t the jet lag. My body was and all I could think of was heading to the and sleep in for a few hours. Angelo and I down the airport and to exil. I saw black SUV. He was wearing a black shirt and sleeves were his elbows, as usual and he was mouth-watering. His dark brown hair was messy from the wind, but it made him look more attractive. it was the sunglasses I hadn’t him for days. He wearing an too. As soon as he saw us, started to make way and I couldn’t keep my off him. I couldn’t eyes behind those sunglasses, but assumed he was looking at too. I immediately looked down at his especially his knuckles when I had the chance. surprised me when I didn’t or bruises. He here for his mafia business, or didn’t beat anyone. I couldn’t tell. The moment he took his sunglasses off, into a of beautiful brown eyes. The eyes that got me when first met. There frown on face from the sun. I needed to know the secret was hiding from me-how could he look attractive every day? How could he get more attractive every I saw him? wasn’t possible. be in a ten-hour remain attractive while I was sure, as now, I looking too appealing I was sure I had dark circles and eyebags. And my was messy in a sexy way. It was more like a “I just got off an eight-hour flight. I need to sleep,’ kind of messy. What surprised me was Matteo leaned in met my lips. Literally, he was kissing my lips. It took me a few seconds, I managed to him back and to enjoy not a kisser. Not at all. He a great kisser, but he caught me off guard I was kiss him just as good. He cupped my face and within seconds, our were somehow fighting. We were kissing as we were the person in this airport. was a few feet away and people were probably staring didn’t seem to mind. kissed me as if as if he couldn’t another day without me and it starting to play with mind. Was he doing this for show? Did Angelo not know about our arrangement? I didn’t he did that it was only his lawyer knew. There were forming in when he deeper into kiss. It was like he couldn’t get enough me. It felt more than an act, but I knew better. He was doing a great job the whole pretending, and almost fooled 100. I started to feel warm, and I didn’t the to stop from letting out moan he bit my lower lip. Oh, damn it. Matteo broke the kiss, but he didn’t take few steps back. He was still cupping face staring into my eyes. His were red and swollen from the kiss-I was sure mine was too. “I you, baby. ” He said, smiling seductively. “How your flight?” “Oh it was fine. I almost stuttered but I to cover it up my hands on chest, “I you, too. The long was torture without you. 20:33 Wed, Oct 9 “Mm, is that so? You must be you’re in my arms, now. “Of course. ” I Angelo the looking in our direction, he was looking around case we were in any danger. Besides, the was loud from the crowd, it was impossible for to our conversation. However, he was probably already fooled kiss. “You look a bit tired… you any rest?” couldn’t sleep. “Let’s head to the hotel, then. You need to sleep, he my hand before gesturing for me to enter the SUV. As soon as got sat on the passenger before to the driver that we should go. for he didn’t let go of my hand, so I our act wasn’t yet. We still had to pretend front of his men. He didn’t trust them. Not fully. He going to our secret being exposed. car ride was quiet. Matteo didn’t a word as he looked out the window but the grip of his hand on mine remained the same-occasionally his thumb against the back my hand but I pretended not to notice. we got to hotel, he stepped out to the door for me. Then, continued to hold hand. We inside the hotel lobby, and we were greeted staffs. They were smiling at us as we passed them, but Matteo didn’t bother to slow down. We walking elevator and as soon as got let go my hand. Just like that when we were he the act immediately. felt something in me, but going to call it a disappointment. knew what we were getting ourselves into and shouldn’t feel bad about myself. we going to married I asked, breaking silence. “Tomorrow morning. At the beach,” without looking me. should rest today. You had long flight and I’m you’re tired” “Oh I forgot something. I bring any white dress me,” He shook his “It’s fine. We can look one. “Matteo. I have something to ask you. Before could proceed, the elevator opened, and he stepped out. I had to follow into our room. We were in the villa the view was breath-taking. My eyes widened at Temple of Concordia from large terrace, and I had completely forgotten my question. were at a hotel. The suite was spacious. The large terrace. The indoor jacuzzi. I was smiling at the view until broke me my thoughts. saying, Alena?” just Matteo. 20:33 Wed, Oct 9 Our eyes met. Even though we weren’t standing close to other, it as if he was still holding onto me. My lips were our and I was holding back everything in me from running to him and getting a taste of luscious again. “”About what?” “If want to change your mind. didn’t have to fly you all way to if wanted to my mind. We an agreement, and we signed contract. we do now is get married. “I to you doing something you don’t want “Nobody forced me into anything, Alena. ” took few steps towards me, need to that. And when you do understand, you need remember who I am. You may have forgotten who you’re dealing with. You may have kind of authority I have. It was fault. did forget who he was-the ruthless mafia boss. I needed to constantly remind myself that he was capable of me he wanted to, he didn’t. He regular businessman. He dealing with money-laundering and if he going be charged as a it him to face a death sentence. “You won’t gain benefit from this. “I won’t I’m looking forward to seeing look on Mikhail’s face when he finds about us. I have to honest you, I never liked Russians by you, it show just how easy I got the Bratva princess in my arms. You’ll freedom and I’ll get respect glad we will both get what want, don’t we?” “I’m glad, too. ” He tucked a strand hair behind ear. “We just have to play the husband-and-wife beautifully. Are you going to be ready for that?” thought we were already acting” only you, Alena When we heard a knock coming from front door, Matteo left the room to let Angelo in. was carrying my luggage and a of other bags he them on the sofa. “Thank Angelo. I completely forgot about stuff. “It’s fine. I smiling sincerely he walked towards terrace. Matteo his way before running his hands on my back, resting on my hip. he moved lower, was going to a grip of my bottom, but still. Our bodies were that I feel his warm breath on top of head. He was being close and our because Angelo the room, wanted to show affection. He placed a of kisses on my temple, you want to take a warm bath this?” A bath sounds muttered. Would you like me to you for bath? His voice was deep and husky it made me feel something. was onto the of I had left to control myself. I couldn’t I losing my mind, so nodded, my hand reaching out to his necklace. I the necklace but I never paid much attention until now. 20:33 Wed, 9 It was almost like a crest, maybe it belonged to his family. “He’s outside. He couldn’t hear us,” I whispered. “We’re practicing. “For what?” “For when we have to pretend. So, it’ll look natural. “”Right we’re to do a lot of that after this. Matteo caressed the of face as lifted my gesturing for to look him. Due to our height differences, I had to up to meet his eyes and whenever kissed, he had to lean down so I didn’t have to stand on my tiptoes as I was almost in eyes. It was starting to get confusing, but I didn’t to look I was too attracted. How could him? “Boss,” Angelo called out, causing Matteo to look at the figure behind me and from my face. Then, he started to speak in Italian-causing Matteo to sigh. “I have to leave for while. You should get rest,” Matteo said, kissing forehead before following Angelo out. was left alone, and was glad. It was what I needed to clear head. I looked down at my hands, I noticed were cold, and I nervous. Matteo starting to me feel things I never felt before. And my wedding was tomorrow,