Tentative Engagements

Chapter 6: “Dimples on hot men should come with a warning sign.”

Abby

“Excuse me? What did you say to me?” Gabriel’s stark army-green eyes pin me where I stand.

“I will never be your wife, Gabriel. I will be and do anything else that you require but never that.” My voice is shaken but doesn’t break as I repeat myself. My attention turns to Mr. Russo when he adds his two cents to our conversation.

“Abrianna, you know how engagements work for any cosa nostra. You are not a stranger to this lifestyle. Maximiliano Marino, your cousin, came into our home and disrespected us when he took my son’s fiancée as his own.” Mr. Russo spits out with so much venom but remains oddly still sitting down. “This type of humiliation, if you didn’t know, little girl, is the cause for many wars. We were granted you, as an exchange for compensation. A reciprocation that has yet proven to be of equal value. With Noelle Costa, we gained the eldest daughter of our supplier. With her marriage, we would have gained more control of our business contacts, and we would have gained a computer hacker.” I close my eyes because I know what he will say next. I have heard it before.

“Ha, with you as Gabriel’s wife, what does my family gain? I will tell you what we gain. We gain a f*****g maid, and let’s not forget the pièce de résistance, a traitor’s daughter.” The room is quiet. I swallow to clear my throat.

“You have said it yourself. You using me as Gabriel’s substitute bride is not what your family deserves. I am certain that Gabriel can find a more suitable fiancee. A wife that comes with something to offer the Russo’s table. If you still want me here, as a maid, I can stay. If you wish to swap me with another family, that will be OK.”

“Abrianna, follow me.” Gabriel's deep baritone voice makes my body tremble with apprehension, but I gladly follow him out of the tense room. His long strides are no match for my short ones. He marches into my bedroom and leaves my bedroom door open for me. I slow down my pace for the last few steps.

“Close the door and take a seat.” I close the door and make my way into the small sitting area in the bedroom corner. Gabriel’s massive body is already sitting on one of the two Victorian boutique armchairs. I feel like a sullen child that is about to see the principal. The feeling intensifies when I notice, as I sit down on the relatively deep tall armchair, my feet don’t quite touch the floor.

“Mr. Russo, what your father said is not wrong. However, what I said isn’t wrong either.” I try to soothe and reason with Gabriel.

“Everything my father said is correct. Regardless, I have requested and been granted by Mr. Moretti himself, the right to claim you as my wife. Let me make this very clear to you, you will become my wife no matter what. If I have to d**g you and then drag your tight a*s down the aisle, even f*****g better.” What does he mean by even f*****g better? Why would he want people to witness me in that kind of state?

“Are you doing this to humiliate and infuriate Maximiliano? If that is so, you are wasting your time. Maximiliano barely tolerated my presence. He would not shed a tear if I died.”

“There is no need to sugar coat s**t. Revenge is the reason you find yourself in this position, Abrianna. Maximiliano might have mind f**k you, but know this, Abrianna. He cares for you. I saw firsthand the pain and remorse that he couldn’t hide when you were shot.” He arched his left eyebrow when I scoffed at what he just said. “Mr. Morretti shared with us the history of Maximiliano and you. From everything he told us, your cousin cares for you like a daughter. He has a f****d up way of showing it, but your past proves it.” Is he high? I know my history with the Mariano men. Does he think I am that gullible?

“You will forget your old life.” Gabriel relaxes a bit. “I don’t want to hear about you f*****g cleaning or dusting. You are going to be my wife. Your new obligations are only to become the perfect dutiful wife. You will play hostess when we have gatherings. You will also attend those gatherings with me and keep my bed warm every night.” I feel my pale cheeks reddening with embarrassment at his last remark. Without my permission, my eyes roamed Gabriel’s body. I have never seen a man so muscular in person. I wonder how he would look without his clothes. Impressive, without a doubt. I never thought men that resemble bodybuilders were my type. I never really gave men much thought, that is until Fyn. Oh my god, Fyn!

“What is it, Abrianna?” Gabriel asked with sincere concern.

“I have a….” I shut my mouth quickly. I have a powerful feeling that I need to keep the fact that I have a boyfriend a secret. “I have a lot to consider.” My cell! I need to talk to Fyn.

“That’s cute. The way you lied right there. Now, tell me the truth. I will find out one way or the other. If I have to find out the truth on my own, you’ll regret not telling me when you had the chance.”

“I will, under one condition, and you must give me your word.”

“How can I give you my word without hearing the condition? Name it first, and then I will either agree or not.”

“No harm. You can’t hurt anyone. That is my condition.”

“Fine. No harm. Now tell me what crossed your mind while you were ogling your future husband.” He is freaking smirking at me. Oh my God, is that a dimple?

“I would not use the word ogling, Gabriel. I do not ogle. It was, you see, umm, you are big. I just appreciated, umm, the evidence of your hard work. Anyways, it reminded me of my boyfriend. He is muscular, too. Not as big as you, though.” I stop talking when I notice Gabriel's change in demeanor. Oh, oh!

“Boyfriend? Did you f*****g say, boyfriend!” Gabriel thunders.