Protecting The Princiepessa (Complete)

~ Chapter 18 ~

Two days later, Ignazia stood outside the door to Adriano’s office. This would probably be the first time she’s really talked to him. Sure, they still rode to the club and back, but he gave off the distinct vibe that he wasn’t up for talking, and she couldn’t figure out why. There weren’t any more attacks, and she was thankful for that. And there wasn’t anyone hitting on her either, which sort of made her sad, but she wasn’t dwelling on it. However, the time was up, and she needed Adriano’s help, or she would suffer his anger for leaving without protection, something she just didn’t want. She didn’t think he was angry at her, seeing as she hadn’t done anything, but she sure felt like he was pissed off at her, and she hated it. So, that gave her the vow that she would do everything in her power not to be on the receiving end of his anger.

She swallowed hard and raised her hand to knock, not understanding why she was scared, she never was. Izzy waited for a beat or two before raising her hand to knock again but Adriano yanked the door open. She almost wanted to take a step back when she saw the coldness in his eyes, and again, couldn’t understand it. But rather than be timid or shy away from it, she narrowed her own gaze and shoved him aside as she stepped into the one room in all of his house that she hadn’t been in. She even waltzed into his bedroom once, however that was because he told her to grab something from him that he forgot.

“What gives?” he asked, raising a brow at her but she wasn’t backing down.

“What the f**k did I do to piss you off?” That had him giving her a confused look and she sighed. “For the last two days, you haven’t talked to me, you’ve kept your distance and I don’t know what the f**k I did! I think if you’re going to be pissed at me, I should have a right to know what I did.” She watched him as he sighed and ran his fingers through his hair, and she had to swallow hard again. She was never one to care for the sight but hell if he didn’t look sexy doing it.

“It’s not you.” She had to mentally shake her head to remember what she asked.

“What is it then?” He shook his head before turning to look at her fully and she got lost in those eyes. For the first time, she really saw how long and curly those lashes were and she swore that men with lashes like that were illegal. Well, then again, just add it up to him, because a lot of things about him were illegal.

“I can’t explain it, Ignazia, ma non sei tu (but it’s not you). And I’m sorry that you’ve been getting the brunt end of that when you shouldn’t have.” She wanted to fight it, to demand more than that answer, but the look she saw buried in his eyes just made her nod. He was hiding something from her, about her, but she didn’t think it was bad. She would let him have his secrets, as it was evident that she had hers.

“Okay, fine. Just don’t be an asshole, you don’t need to be.” The side of his mouth lifted up and f**k if she didn’t want to lean over and nibble at those lips! Okay, yeah, she was in need of getting laid and soon.

“Promise, I’ll curb it. What brings you here?”

“Oh, that, um, I need to go shopping, for a dress, for a fancy dinner, and I can’t go alone.” Adriano fully smiled this time at how uncomfortable that statement was for her.

“Ah, yes, the fancy dinner at his hotel that the city puts on every year where the elite come and pretend to be all high and mighty while they forget they are mingling with some of the city’s worst criminals. He’s finally going to introduce you to society and every made man will know you’re off limits.”

“That being Mike and Santino, I’m assuming?” she asked.

“Mike, yes, Santino wouldn’t be there though, he’s not enough to rank on that guest list. However, word will spread.” Adriano walked back to his desk and sat down, crossing his arms.

“What?” she asked.

“I don’t think your dad should do that, that’s all.” She frowned as she walked into the room and took the seat before his desk. He watched her just as she watched him and as she sat, she lifted a brow.

“Okay, why is that, exactly?”

“A couple of different reasons actually. One, I think it’s too soon. You haven’t been in the city long enough and though I’m great at my job, I still feel like more protection is necessary for you, especially with your name and association coming to light. I also feel with us having no handle on who is after him, and now you, that it might put a bigger target on you.”

“Wouldn’t my dad know that?” Adriano leaned back and played with the pen on his desk as she watched him. She could hold her own, sure, but not if people were sneaking around and causing issues without her seeing. Like the shooting, or the tires. Yeah, she didn’t believe that was for anyone else but her, even Adriano admitted it. Her dad though, he was quick to dismiss it, especially if there were men who had their eye on her and Adriano stepped in.

“He would, sure. He would also think that maybe bringing you into the light would draw out whoever it is a bit more.” She frowned at that.

“Use me as bait?” He chuckled and dropped the pen before looking back at her.

“Sort of, I suppose. The thing is, Ignazia, you’re protected, watched constantly, and pretty much have me around. And it’s lined up that if I’m not, there are other men who will be; as you can tell when we got off the plane.” He leaned forward and rested his arms on the desk as he looked at her very carefully. “But we’re human, we can be shot and killed, and you could be taken. That’s an image your dad doesn’t want to imagine, I don’t blame him either, however, it’s a real possibility. Whoever is after him could be quite vengeful in taking the thing he loves most. And make no mistake, he loves his kids, all of them, but you, you are his prize.”

“Oh.” Well, that summed up a lot of her feelings and thoughts as to why she was so watched and why no one had harmed his other kids. Not that she would wish that on them, okay maybe Sara, but no one could blame her.

“It’s also very possible that he won’t introduce you as his daughter but instead a family member. Either way, in my book, it’s a dangerous game. But I’m not the boss, nor your father.” She nodded, not wanting to think why she liked the thought that he wasn’t. Mentally, she shook her head, clearing herself far away from those thoughts. Again, this was a man she shouldn’t be wanting, shouldn’t be thinking about like that. He was an asshole, a douche, and many other things, and she would do well to remember that.

“Well, you said it, you’re not the boss. So, since we have to follow what he says…. will you take me shopping?” Adriano nodded and stood up.

“Go grab your bag and meet me at the car.”

-----

She stared at the storefront that Adriano pulled up to and shook her head. Even from the car, she could see the designers through the window. She had no clue how she was going to be able to afford those types of dresses. And how the hell would they even look on her? She licked her lips and glanced over at Adriano to tell him something, but he was already getting out of the car. Izzy shook her head and reached for the handle, but he was already there, opening the door for her.

“Non aver paura, Ignazia, ti prometto che troverai qualcosa (don’t be scared, I promise you’ll find something).” He winked at her, and she wanted to deck him.

“I can’t afford that.”

“You aren’t paying for it, your dad is.” That should have made her feel better, but in truth, it didn’t. She wasn’t the type to buy fancy things, she never had been, even when her mom told her it was fine for school, she still went to the cheaper side. He held the door to the store open and settled his hand on her back as he followed her in, explaining to the clerk what type of event they were going to. Without a word from her, the lady smiled, ushered Izzy to a back dressing room, and started grabbing dresses. Quickly, Izzy discarded the black dresses, even though they were formal; and though she loved the cut of a red dress, she said no.

That left her three choices to try on, a royal blue one, a deep purple one, and an emerald green one. Green wasn’t a color she wore often, and the dress had a slit that went up to the top part of her thigh, and the dip in the back stopped at her mid-back, but it was a dress she loved. And when she tried it on, she couldn’t help but feel like some type of princess in it. Well, guess she was in the mafia world. She pinned her hair up and smiled. With the right jewels, she might actually pass for gorgeous. That brought a laugh out and she walked out.

-----

Adriano waited as he sat there, his fingers tapping his knee. He hated dress shopping with Sara, and he figured this wouldn’t be any different actually. And when he watched the sales lady bring back out the dresses, he figured he would be in for a long day, which was not what he was looking forward to. He was almost wishing now that he didn’t decline the water the lady offered when he first sat down. He was about to stop her when Ignazia walked out and Adriano felt his heart stop.

The dress fit her like a glove, highlighting certain parts, like her amazing t**s and legs, and covered everything else, not that it was a problem. God damn, she was a beauty, and she for sure kick-started something in him. In fact, looking at her like that, he had images flashing in his mind of taking that dress off little by little and he fought them off.

“That one,” he nodded. He didn’t need to see anymore. And because she graced him with the first view of looking like a goddess, he thought it only fitting he bought the dress for her. He also refused to try and understand why.