20 A Bit Mad
Emma.
Heather and I spoke for a while on the phone, and soon I hung up. I sat in the living room watching television; I was bored. I really did not have anything to do. Getting a job was out of the question. I dared not walk into any establishment as Luca’s wife to look for a job. I stayed at home all the time except when he took me out. It wasn’t fun, but I endured it. Two men walked into the house, and I stood up immediately. I had never seen them before, but they looked important and powerful. I did not know what to do because Luca wasn’t
home.
“Good Afternoon Mrs Alessandro?” One of the men said. He had brown eyes and dirty blonde hair. He was huge, and I could see the tattoo on his neck. The other had dark hair and dark eyes. He was taller, about six foot three inches. I rarely followed Luca anywhere, so I did not know who these men were, but it seemed like they knew me. Had Luca been talking about me? Judging by all that had been happening, I had to be careful. My only comfort was that the security had let them in, so Luca’s men must have trusted them to let them in.
“Would you offer us a place to sit?” The dark-haired man said, and I snapped out of my thoughts and offered them seats. The men they came with excused us, leaving the three of us.
“We couldn’t reach him on the phone. Do you know where he went?” The dirty blond-haired man asked, and even though I knew, I shook my head. After all that happened, I did not know who was out to get Luca. “My name is Aldo Moretti, and that’s Castelo Ricci,” The dark-haired man said, and I knew I had heard their names in several conversations Luca had with Gerald. I smiled at them and welcomed them. I linked Miranda to come and serve them.
“How did you and Luca meet?” Aldo asked me playfully. With how they spoke to me, I couldn’t guess they were Mafia bosses if I did not already know. They were careful and easy-going like Luca was before his brother was killed and he went crazy.
“On a bus in Celio,” I said, hoping they would not ask any more questions. Luckily for me, Luca and Catalina walked in. Not knowing what to do. I stood up immediately. I was nervous. Had I done something wrong by offering them seats?
Luca walked toward the stairs and looked at the living room. I stood and stared at him nervously. He looked at me from head to toe. I was wearing his shirt. It was long enough to cover my butt and part of my thighs, but I suddenly felt awkward. He looked at the men, and his facial expression became angry. I hoped he wasn’t thinking I was flirting with them. My stomach churned.
“Now you show up?” He asked them, and I sighed, grateful that the anger had nothing to do with me or what I was wearing. Aldo and Castelo stood up.
“With all that had been happening, we thought it is best we stayed away and helped you from the shadows. Your mother thinks we killed your brother. We had to respect your family and stay away, and this is not a phone thing. That was why we decided we would pay you a visit when you have laid him to rest,” Castelo said, and Luca nodded and came to join them in the living room. I remained standing, not knowing if I should be there or not. I saw Catalina walk towards the staircase.
“Excuse them, dim wit!” she yelled at me, and I looked at her and turned to leave. “Sit, Emma,” Luca said, and I sat down. I really could not take the disrespect anymore. I was older than the girl, but she was highly disrespectful towards me. I dared not complain because I knew I was a charity case in that house. No matter how close I might be to Luca. I still remembered that I was a contract wife, so I had to be careful.
“You let your baby sister talk to your wife like that?” Aldo asked Luca sounding a bit stunned. “Let it rest, Aldo. She is grieving, but I will deal with it later,” Luca said, and Castelo shook his head.
“What is wrong with you, Luca? Catalina has no right to disrespect your wife like that, grieving or not. I might not be married, but when I finally settle down, no one would dare to speak to my wife like that, not even me,” Castelo said, sounding angry. He was indeed disappointed at Catalina’s behaviour.
“Let it rest,” Luca said, sounding angry. Not wanting them to have an issue. I stood up.
“I should not be here,” I said because their words were getting to me. Luca allowed Catalina to get away with everything because of Roberto’s death.
“I am sure Catalina will show respect when Alpha Luca is properly married. I am here on contract and a charity case. I am sure you all have already heard, so please do not waste your time talking about me,” I said and hurriedly left them before Luca could stop me.
It was times like this that made me remember my place. I went to the bedroom and sat on the bed.
“How can I hold on to you when you aren’t even trying? I am sorry, Declan, but I will have to let go because he is not interested,” I said and sat on the bed. Needing some fresh air, I decided to take a walk around the property. I wanted to look around and clear my mind. I wore his boxer under the shirt because it was the easiest thing to put on.
When I stepped out of the room, Catalina approached me, and I braced myself for what she would say or do.
“You better know your place, slut. You aren’t the first to come into my brother’s life or sleep in his room. Of all his sluts, I hate you the most for stopping my brother from helping Roberto. I hope you and your family burn. He will replace you once he is done. Word of advice: do not get too comfortable. And when he is done with you, I will come for my pound of flesh,” she told me. I was itching to slap her, but I dared not. I was ready to leave Luca in those moments. I did not need this shit.
I walked away from her and cursed at my father inwardly for landing me in this place. Marcelo wouldn’t have enslaved us if my father hadn’t gotten into trouble, and Luca wouldn’t have married me to save me. After thinking of all the money he had spent on me, paying my
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