As soon as we reached the main road, Felix received a call.
It was Demetri, stating he and Sienna were coming with us.
Felix asked me if I had eaten yet as soon as he hung up. I shook my head at him, leaning my head back tiredly.
"Of course, you haven't. Leo, please help find us a place to eat. I'll call and tell Demitri where to meet us." He said as he shook his head and pulled out his phone.
A few hours later:
We left the restaurant after an awkward meal.
I climbed back into the SUV and groaned as I fought sleep.
"Have you spoken to Ally or Ro?" Felix asked, as we stared ahead.
"Hm?" I asked, peeling a lid back to look at him.
"Have you spoken to Ally or Ro?" He repeated.
"No, I haven't had a chance to… the last two days have been a whirlwind." I explained.
"So, I heard…" He commented dryly, shaking his head. "What exactly happened?" He asked, as he turned his body in the seat so he could look over at me.
I sighed, shaking my head. "I'm not entirely sure… but it started after I got here. There was a small incident just outside the airport, and that's how I met Edward, he saved me from getting hit by a car. I didn't think anything of it so I left and went to get checked into the hotel. After I got to the room, I started feeling overwhelmed, so I decided to go and let off some steam. So, I went to a club… and that's where I ran into Edward and some other creep man, and everything happened..." I explained slowly.
He looked at me amused before shaking his head. "Only you could find this much trouble in a different country, Bells." He muttered, shaking his head at me.
I groaned, "Yeah, I know." I muttered dropping my head onto the headrest, before closing my eyes again.
"Don't worry. It's not your fault. Our Nonno already spoke to me about it…" He said.
"Really? when did he— oh, that's why you excused yourself at the restaurant." I murmured with a sigh, as I realized that .
He nodded, smiling in response, "Yes. He is happy that we're on our way…" He replied.
I nodded before frowning down at my hands. "Why do you think my dad hid this from me?"
"Honestly, I don't know or understand how Uncle Charlie managed to hide this from you and the rest of us, but he must have gone to extensive lengths to do so. To keep you safe." He replied.
"Yeah so, I'm told. But wait, I've known you since we were in highschool. Why didn't you tell me anything?" I asked as I thought about how we met.
"I was told by your father and mine not to say a word." He replied.
"But you were the same age as me, where the hell did you stay?" I asked, frowning.
"Our dads acquired an apartment for me and my guard, Silvio. I didn't find out the reason why they sent me until I got back here recently… as it turns out one of our uncles was doing dealings with the Endrizzis, got in involved with the human trafficking ring based a town a few miles out of Capri… and our fathers found out about it... I was sent away because both our fathers feared for my safety." He informed me.
"How did— How did you find out?" I asked, hesitantly.
"Our Nonno told me everything when I got back." He explained
I nodded, "So, why did they ask you to come back home?"
"Our uncle, Luca. He was betrayed by the Endrizzs. They had him killed off when the business went wrong. So, I was called by our Nonno after my father was injured…" He replied.
"Why?" I asked, concerned.
"Because, Demitri had decided he would rather marry Sienna Massimo, and none of our cousins wished to take on the job fearing the safety of their families, so that left only me, or you. I didn't want you getting involved so I took over…" He replied.
"Is that why I hadn't heard from you for the past eight weeks?" I asked.
He nodded, pulling up his sleeve to show me a sleeve tattoo on his forearm. One he didn't have before.
"So, you are the —?" I asked, feeling at a loss for words.
My mind was still reeling.
"The Head of the Savinelli family? Yes…" He replied, as pulled down his sleeve.
"Why didn't you bother coming to get me if you knew you were family?" I whispered, swallowing thickly.
"Because I had a mess to clean up. One I didn't want you getting involved in, but apparently, from what I've heard, you're much like your mother, Renata. Sassy, witty, fearless and hardheaded…" He replied amused.
I smiled at him amused before the thought of my mother made the smile drop from my face. "This situation fucking sucks nuts." I grumbled, covering my face with my hand.
"Look, I am not going to force you to do something you don't want to do. You've already agreed to marry Edward, so it is your choice. I just want you to understand that you do have a choice. I'll make sure you have that choice." He promised as the car turned and drove up a wide, dirt and stone path, surrounded by cherry laurels on either side of the path.
"My choice was made the moment I realized what was going on." I whispered as I looked around.
At the end of the path was a massive villa type of mansion yet homely feel. As I got out of the car I could see how truly beautiful it was.
From where I stood I could see the mix of wood, stone and metals that were effortlessly used to make it.
Felix led me up the tiled steps that curved around the front of a large terrace. The terrace itself was surrounded by baluster railing.
It was gorgeous. I marveled as I looked at the rest of my surroundings. Loving mosaic tiled floor, and outdoor kitchen in the far side of the terrace.
As he led me inside, I gasped as we walked right to an even larger foyer.
"Bells, welcome home." He whispered, smiling at my response.
He proceeded to give me the grand tour of the massive place, from the large dining room to the massive library.
I thought I had died and gone to heaven when he finally showed me the kitchen. This was shortly after he showed me the underground wine cellar.
It was then that I knew at that point that I was going to like it very much here.
I loved everything about that room. Everything from the glamorous marble countertop, the state of the art kitchen appliances, two large refrigerators, to the beautiful cabinet, and the metal and wood accents in the furnishings.
I was in heaven.
"Our Nonna usually is in here cooking up a storm. I've been told she and our Nonno have gone out for a stroll though, they'll be in shortly if you want to sit and talk outside." He replied.
"Sure." I replied.
He nodded, grabbing a few wine glasses before he gestured for me to follow him. He led me down a wide hallway, and through a room before he walked over to a pair of glass doors, and sat down on one of the dark brown wicker chairs that were placed there.
A few chairs surrounded the large balcony that overlooked the entire front part of the house, and two small tables were in between either side.
I walked over to the railing, and looked around amazed, smiling in content when I felt the wind blow through my hair.
"This place is amazing." I sighed, as I tilted my head up and closed my eyes, to feel the warm rays of the sun hit my face.
"It is. I love it… One can sit here for hours and just enjoy the views." He replied in agreement.
I sighed, before turning to look at him. Raising a brow as I found him leaning forward with his hands clasped in front of him.
"What's wrong?" I asked, concerned.
"Nothing. I'm just a bit disappointed that I couldn't keep you out of this life like your father wanted…" He muttered as I sat down next to him.
I nodded, wordlessly, as we both stared at each other, solemnly.
"So, how come you knew about me but your brother didn't?" I asked, as he handed me a glass.
"Your father kept your existence hidden. I only found out about you because your father wanted me to keep you safe. I was one of the few that knew about you… Demetri, while he is the oldest, was never interested in this life either, which is why he left the moment he got the chance. He was only supposed to be helping the Massimos with security for a while… ended up finding the love of his life there. " He explained amused.
"So, what you're telling me is that my father and yours worked together to keep me hidden and safe?" I asked in disbelief.
"Precisely. To what extent they did it… I don't know. But we're all sure they did something." He replied as we heard a few cars arrive, followed by the opening and closing of the doors.
Felix and I exchanged a look before he stood up and headed to the door without hesitation.
"Stay here. Stay hidden." He ordered, giving me his 'I mean it' look, before heading inside.
I watched him leave, before slowly lowering myself to watch what was happening through the separations of the baulster railing.
'Show time!' I thought smirking as I peeked.
Author's Note:
So, this will be the last update until Monday, because unfortunately I have not been feeling well since yesterday and I need to take a small break.
See you soon!