His Forbidden Mafia Princess

Chapter - Five

Aleena - POV

I gasped and groaned, eyes darting around the room. I was in bed.

“Sis, you’re awake,” El said softly. Her voice was calm, but her tear-streaked face showed nothing but worry.

“I’m okay,” I whispered, forcing a reassuring smile. My gaze shifted toward the other side of the room.Nico and Caldwell stood off in the corner like shadows.

“What time is it?” I asked.

“We’ve got time. Nothing urgent to chase down,” Nico replied in a calm, even voice not cold, just steady.

“Good,” I sighed, relieved.

“You had a panic attack,” El said gently, breaking the silence. “You should rest. I’ll talk to Father see if we can postpone the

engagement.”

“No.” My voice came out sharper than I intended. El blinked, surprised. I never speak to her like that.

“El, I’m fine,” I said again, this time with a practiced smile the kind Mom used to wear when she didn’t want us to worry. El looked

like she wanted to push back, but thankfully, she didn’t. I knew if she went to Father with that suggestion, it would only blow up in

her face and she wouldn’t be able to handle that.

“I need to speak with Aleena. Alone,” Nico said. I met his green eyes. El left quietly, but Caldwell stayed put.

“Do you need a special invitation?” Nico asked him, voice flat.

“I’m not under your orders,” Caldwell replied, cool and steady.

“Leave,” I said, my voice cold. Caldwell’s icy blue eyes met mine, clearly annoyed. I expected him to stand his ground, but to my

surprise, he turned and left. I didn’t have the energy to argue, and I was grateful he didn’t make me.

“Aleena,” Nico said, his tone gentler now or was I imagining it?

“Shouldn’t you be calling me ‘Caruso’? What made you switch to Aleena all of a sudden?” I asked.

“You called me by my first name,” he said simply.

“I figured you’d correct me tell me to stick to your last name,” I muttered.

“Are you trying to avoid the real question here?” Nico asked.

“I’m not answering anything,” I snapped. He left me when I needed him most. He was the one person I trusted and he bailed.

“Are you happy about the engagement?” he asked again.

“Does it matter?” I replied. “I’m going through with it. If you’ve got a girlfriend, date her. Just pretend to like me in front of my father. That’s all I’m asking.”

He didn’t respond. Just stared at me those green eyes unreadable, but intense. It felt like he had so much to say but couldn’t find the words.

“You’re not comfortable with physical touch or intimacy, are you?” he asked.

My body tensed immediately at the question.

“Yes. I’m okay with hand-holding,” I said softly. My words felt like a crack in armor exposing something raw. No one knew how afraid I was of being touched, of anyone getting too close. My body’s instincts always kicked in ready to defend before I could even think. But with Nico it felt different. Strange, but calm.

“I see,” he whispered, breaking the silence.

“I won’t force you into anything like that,” he added.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

He paused. “How long do you want to keep this act going?”

I blinked, confused. “What?”

“This engagement. You’re doing it because you have to. Right?” he asked.

“I could say the same about you,” I muttered, deflecting. I couldn’t trust Nico with the truth especially not with my father’s plans. If

he told his father, it would be worse for me. And for El.

“Don’t be afraid to speak your mind,” Nico said gently.

“You go first,” I replied.

“I suggest we keep this engagement going for six months… then call it off,” he said in a calm voice.

Relief flooded through me. Nico might’ve been a jerk lately, but deep down, he was still the boy I once called a friend.

“Sounds good.”

“As you wish,” I said quietly.

“One more thing,” he said, walking toward the door. “Once we’re engaged, you’ll move to the Bellini estate. I’ll make sure you stay in my tower where you’ll be safe.”

Then he left.

I hated the thought of going to the Bellini estate Long Island felt like a world away. But I pulled myself out of bed, knowing more drama was waiting. El helped me get ready, along with two makeup artists she’d handpicked. She gave instructions on how my hair and makeup should look she was a natural at this stuff. Me? Totally clueless.

I sat still, enduring it, until they finished. Thankfully, Caldwell wasn’t in the room maybe Nico had something to do with that. I was grateful.

When I stepped into the engagement party, the crowd was already swirling dressed to impress. Nico stood in the center, waiting in a sleek black tuxedo. His eyes locked onto mine with the same unreadable emotion from this morning.

“Ready, Alee?” His voice was soft almost sweet.

“Yes, baby,” I replied, forcing a smile. His grip tightened slightly as we walked forward together. Cameras flashed, and the media swarmed us like bees to honey. My father stood beside Angelo, both beaming for the cameras.

“Everyone, please welcome the couple to their engagement party!” the host announced, prompting applause from the crowd. My hand looped around Nico’s forearm as we made our way to the center of the grand ballroom, beneath glittering chandeliers and a blinding spotlight.

Nico’s father handed him a box with the ring. My pulse quickened. I tried to steady myself.

Nico took my hand and gently slid the diamond ring onto my finger. His gaze met mine warm, reassuring. I forced another smile as cameras clicked nonstop. My father handed me Nico’s ring, and I slipped it onto his finger with shaky hands.

Applause thundered around us.

Flower petals rained from above. Nico held my hand and smiled for the cameras, and I mirrored him like we were perfectly in sync. But the flashing lights brought back the darkness of my past. The panic returned.

I slipped from Nico’s hold and stepped out of the hall, trying to breathe.

“You’re safe here, Ms. Caruso,” a firm voice said. I turned to find Caldwell, dressed in a black suit, his blue eyes calm and steady.

But I couldn’t calm down. My chest tightened.

Suddenly, I felt myself being pulled in my body pressed against his.

“Breathe. Calm down, Ms. Caruso,” Caldwell said softly, his voice like a balm, steady as his heartbeat against mine.

“Step away from her.”

Nico’s sharp voice cut through the moment. He strode in, pulled me toward him, and placed a barrier between Caldwell and me. His eyes scanned me, concern flickering in the green depths.

He wrapped an arm around me, holding me close.

“You’re my fiancée now,” he whispered low in my ear. “You don’t hug other men, only me.”

I looked into his eyes. Emotions swirled there, ones I couldn’t name.