Chapter 3

Lucky

“That was quick my dear.” My father says as he rests his hand on mine when I sit back down next to him. His hands are now getting gnarled and the skin on top is crinkling some. It reminds me that life is not eternal and that one day I must face it without my father or mother in it. I swallow back the lump that forms in my throat.

“He told me he didn’t need me right now. That man should learn to have some manners at the very least. He nothing but a cold hearted, son of a bitch.” Dad’s eyes open wide.

“It will come, Lucky. Do not worry, he will turn once he knows what a charming woman you are, you won’t just be my princess you will become his too.”

“It isn’t the life I’d choose though Papa you know that. I am doing this for our family.”

“It is a sacrifice but if you don’t want to do this, then you mustn’t. Please don’t marry him if you don’t want to. I can accept the consequences; it is a life I chose although now I wish I hadn’t. I wish I had run off into the sunset with your mother and turned my back on this world my father brought me into. Only back then, well…” He sighs. He doesn’t need to say more.

My grandfather, rest his soul was head of his family, he had come from Italy as a small boy with his parents as immigrants and his father had joined one of the large firms back then. My grandfather learned from the best and became the head. Back in his day and Nico’s grandfather’s day, things were very different. Each were happy with their own halves of the big city. Not now, though no not now. Nico wants it all. He is greedy and hungry for power. No good can come of that surely.

“I couldn’t live with the consequences though, Papa. It is what it is. I will be with my love one day. I have my own plans and who knows maybe I will end up running away into the sunset.”

“There is a code of conduct, daughter. You will never be able to leave with Nikolei.” I shoot my eyebrows up. How does he even know my feelings for Nikolei?

“Don’t worry your secret is safe with me. I had hoped you would have grown out of your crush for him. He is your bodyguard after all. It is not customary for the daughter of the head of a family and Cartel to be in love with their detail. You know it can never happen; besides, I hear Nikolei has a woman now. One of his own.”

“What? Since when?” My father strokes my hand. “Since a few months ago. You know Nikolei is too old for you anyway, you must focus on Nico if you want this marriage to work. It is the only way, daughter. Lucky, you are a very smart woman, you will need to remain strong and loyal to Nico.”

Mia comes over, she looks flushed. “Hey, you’re back already. Didn’t go too well then, I take it. He’s an asshole, right?”

“You can say that again. Have you been dancing of fucking in a toilet?” I ask my best friend. Her hair is in disarray. She chuckles.

“Dancing of course. I don’t do toilets. Sorry, Mr Gianluca I don’t mean to be rude in front of you.” She says as my father chuckles and pats my hand.

“I will leave you two girls to it whilst I go and find your mother and ask if she would like to have the next dance with me.” My father stands and even though he is getting on in years, he is still statuesque. If you think of The Godfather and Marlon Brando, you’ve got my father in a nutshell.

“We should dance too, Lucky. No point sitting around. It is after all your engagement party is it not. Have some fun, kick off your heels and dance. Show him he isn’t getting to you. Although, he is still watching you. Boy, is he creepy but so damn good looking. I wonder if he has a large cock.” I swat her on her bare arm.

“Mia, for God’s sake. Stop with his cock already. I don’t want to even think about that. There is no way I am going near that man with a barge pole. He can have as many indiscretions as he likes as far as I am concerned. The more the merrier that way he will never want to touch me. I will not succumb to any commands that involve me having sex with that man.” I huff and flick my long hair over my shoulder. Some days I consider whether I should cut it into a smart, angled bob but I would miss it. It’s my signature.

I glance towards the double doors that lead to this ballroom in one of the finest hotels in New York City and see Nikolei with the other bodyguards and wonder who the woman is that he is now seeing. I suppose it has been a long crush ever since I was in High School, maybe it is time to get over it. But there will be a man out there who I will want to be with, I just haven’t met him yet. It is most definitely not Nico Santangelo that is for sure.

As I stand, Mia starts to fan her face. “What are you doing? It’s not that hot in here.” I tell her. She cocks her head to the side and moves her eyes to her left. I turn to see what an earth she is trying to show me and there he stands.

Nico looks impressive with his six-foot three height, I am not small at five foot seven but he still dwarfs me. His muscles look like they are straining against his expensive tuxedo, his brilliant blue eyes stare at me. “You need to dance with me, it is expected.”

“What, are you kidding me? You’ve ignored me all evening and now you think you can come over here and tell me to dance with you?”

“It is not a question, Lucky. You will do as you are told.”

“And what if I don’t what will you do then?”

“I will put you over my knee and spank you for being insolent.” His eyes challenge me like a dare. And why does it make my stomach pool when he mentions spanking me? What is that all about? I can’t stand this man but the mere thought of being put over his knee and spanked sends tingles up and down my spine. Mia chuckles, I give her a look. The one that says not now, Mia for goodness’ sake. She places a hand over her face.

“The big man, Nico Santangelo has spoken and expects his little bird to do as he says. I’d like to see you try putting me over your knee here in public and spanking me. I will not dance with you.” I stomp my foot.

“Like a child I see with the foot stomping. Haven’t you grown out of such childish behaviour yet, Lucky.” The way he says my name sounds sexy even though it’s the last thing I want. I don’t want to think of Nico being sexy in any shape, way or form, yet he is. I hate that I think this, hate it so damn much.

He extends his hand to me, and I notice the diamond square cut cufflinks. They have been custom made; I hear everything is custom made for him. They shine under the lights of the chandelier sitting above us hanging from the ceiling.

“No. Piss off. I told you I won’t dance with you.” I don’t have time to react before he has grabbed my hand with his, the other he has wrapped around my waist and is pulling me closely into him. I smell his expensive cologne, it’s musky with a hint of lemon, I inhale, it’s intoxicating.

“Do not disobey me, Princess. You will only regret it.”