Princess Chapter 4 Aftermath, a twilight fanfic

Chapter 4

~Aftermath~

Angela huddled in the back seat of Santo's car, holding me while I cried. I felt bereft. I'd given an essential piece of myself to Tony. Part of me realized how ridiculous it was—he was the man who kidnapped me one night, fucked me in the mezzanine on another, and then went right downstairs with my mark on his neck to be announced as the future head of the Masen crime family.

But I also remembered Tony telling me I meant something to him, that he wanted to see me again. The sight of him standing there looking tortured as Santo carried me away is burned behind my eyes. I swung back and forth between wanting to throat punch him and be held in his arms.

Santo piloted the sleek sports car smoothly through the downtown traffic. Bright lights flickered by. We passed Breakers, the club where this all started, and pain radiated through my chest. Why am I so broken up over him?

Another thought penetrated the agonizing haze surrounding me. Tony was part of the Masen crime family. The night I met Tony, he was hanging with a bunch of masked thugs who were trying to avoid the Masen family. Tony was worried we would be killed if the man with the icy cold voice found us. What the hell was the son of a crime lord doing wearing a ski mask and hanging with those guys?

"Where should I drop you ladies off?" Santo entered the highway, speeding up.

"Shit! I can't go home. Aro will know something is wrong." I glanced at Angela.

She shook her head. "My house isn't a good bet either, Bella. My dad will definitely narc. Is there somewhere else we can go?"

Santo broke in. "How about my place? I live alone. I have a guest room the two of you are welcome to use."

Angela and I looked at each other, communicating through a series of brow lifts and head tilts developed over our many years together.

"Sounds great!" we answered simultaneously.

Santo laughed. "Are you guys twins? You got your own mind meld shit going on?"

We giggled.

I expected a high-rise apartment or condo, but twenty minutes later, we pulled up to a mansion. There were tall, wrought iron gates with an ornate L in the center. Santo pressed a button on what looked like a garage door opener, and the gates swung in.

"Whoa, this is killer!" Angela looked around like a wide-eyed kid at a carnival. "You live here alone?"

Santo nodded. "For now."

His unspoken words were loud and clear: he was living alone until he got married and started a family of his own. And if Aro had anything to say about it, that woman would be me. I wasn't sure how I felt about that, but I was too devastated to contemplate it at the moment.

The paved drive took a meandering path to the stately home, which was gray stone with white trim and had numerous large windows. Any trees and tall vegetation had been cut back several feet from the driveway, a carpet of colorful flowers lining each side, and I suspected cameras were installed in strategic locations. After all, one couldn't be too careful when they were mob connected. There was a four-car garage and beyond it a cottage that mimicked the style of the main house. Soft lights shone up at both the house and cottage and dotted the drive. Again, I suspected this wasn't as much for ambience as for security.

Santo pulled up in front of the garage, and we started up the well-lit path to the main house. A brawny man with an earpiece and handheld device morphed out of the darkness, startling me.

"Good evening, sir."

"Evening, Jack. Isabella Volturi and Angela Moretti are my guests. Please keep that private."

"Of course. Ladies." Jack nodded in our direction.

"Any issues tonight?"

"No, sir. All quiet."

"Perfect."

We followed Santo to the house, which had a fingerprint scanner. The lights came on when we entered, and a female voice said, "Welcome home, Mr. Lanzo. There have been zero security breaches while you were gone. You have five messages waiting—one of them is urgent."

"Thank you, Flora. Set perimeter security, and send my messages to the computer in the study."

"Of course, Mr. Lanzo."

Angela and I looked at each other and giggled. Aro had cameras everywhere, and our property was crawling with security. It seemed as if Santo had one guy and a smart home that was almost as effective.

Santo showed us to the guest room on the second floor, calling out for his maid, who took over and made sure we had everything we needed. The guest room was more of a suite with a living area, kitchenette, and en suite. Ilona asked what sizes we wore and brought us some comfortable clothes.

Angela and I changed in the large, marble bathroom, suppressing giggles.

"He keeps women's clothing in different sizes?" she whispered, covering her mouth.

I shrugged. "Kinda weird."

When we came out of the en suite, there was a platter of fruit and cheese and a chilled bottle of wine sitting on the breakfast bar. Next to the spread was a handwritten note: I have some business to attend to. Make yourselves at home. I'll see you in the morning for breakfast. ~Santo

"This is really nice!" Angela smiled, obviously impressed.

It's not that I didn't appreciate Santo's hospitality, but I couldn't get my mind off the fact that I had broken one of Aro's cardinal rules and hurt myself all in one fell swoop. Panic welled inside me. What if Aro found out? What if Edward Masen was the one to tell him? I checked my phone because I was certain Aro would have called if he had heard anything. While I was at it, I sent a text to my mom, letting her know I was with Angela. I prayed she wouldn't ask where we were or call the Morettis.

Angela opened the wine and poured a glass for each of us. The rosé was slightly sweet and went down easily. I picked at the fruit and cheese, trying to pretend we were visiting a friend rather than running from my mistakes. It almost worked.

oOo

In the morning, I woke up teetering on the edge of the king-size bed with Angela's foot jammed in my lower back. Only she could manage to sleep sideways, taking up all of the prime real estate on a bed that big. I elbowed her calf, and she made a grouchy sound before pulling her knees into her chest and rolling into a ball.

I took a quick shower and dressed. Angela was still asleep, so I decided to make my way downstairs. I took the nearest stairway, which brought me to an unfamiliar area of the house. There was a large family room with a big screen television, pool table, and air hockey. A stone fireplace was set into one wall and there was a grouping of furniture surrounding the hearth. I continued down the hall, passing a few closed doors. One was cracked open, so I peeked inside. It was a large office with a bank of computer screens and no windows. Ambient light glowed from the screens. One of them was split into multiple views, showing a view of the security cameras on the property.

A hand landed on my shoulder, and I shrieked. My instincts kicked in and I whirled around, taking a defensive posture.

"Whoa! Easy, Bella." Santo stood there with his hands up. He was freshly showered and smelled of woodsy aftershave, his dark hair still damp.

I slumped against the doorjamb. "Sorry. I'm a little jumpy."

Santo brushed a lock of hair behind my ear. "You've got a lot going on. Our parents are trying to push us together, and obviously there's history with you and Masen . . ."

I huffed a laugh, dropping my face in my hands. History? Within a two-week span, Tony kidnapped me, finger banged me, showed up at the masquerade, fucked me in the mezzanine, and then fucked me even harder by being announced as the son of my father's sworn enemy. I just nodded, agreeing there was history.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"I wouldn't even know where to begin."

Santo looked thoughtful. "It seems like you're important to him."

"What makes you say that?"

He laughed, running a palm over his face. "Bella, I'm sure you're aware of the rivalry between his father and yours. The fact he ran after you like a puppy, begging you to listen to him—well, let's just say no man puts himself in such a position for a meaningless fling, especially not in front of others. Jesus Christ, the man had no shame!"

I stared at Santo and shook my head. "I don't know what I mean to him, but it doesn't matter. It can never be. My father would skin me alive."

"Oh Bella, we have more in common than you know." Santo put his arm around my shoulders, pulling me close to his side. "How about some breakfast?"

We continued down the hall, which led to the kitchen. Ilona was busy at the stove. There were plates piled high with pancakes and scrambled eggs. Bacon was frying in a large pan.

She looked back at us with a smile. "Good morning! Breakfast will be ready in a few minutes. It's beautiful out, so I set the table on the patio. Hope that's okay."

"That's great! Thank you, Ilona." Santo led me through the sliders behind the breakfast bar. We walked onto a large patio with steps going down to a freeform pool. The long, glass table was set for three with an ornate tray holding a carafe, cream, and sugar. "Coffee?"

"God, yes!"

Santo poured me a cup and left me to fix it my way. Usually I would dump a ton of sugar in, but I was too embarrassed, so I just put one spoonful and a lot of cream. He drank his black, of course.

I sipped my coffee and allowed the strong aroma to awaken my senses. Ilona brought platters of food out, and everything smelled delicious.

Santo gestured to the food. "Ladies first."

I filled my plate and sat back in my chair, munching a crisp piece of bacon. I gazed up at the perfect blue sky, dotted with fluffy clouds. For the first time in weeks, I felt safe and cared for, almost relaxed.

"Santo, what did you mean when you said we have more in common than I know?"

He stared at me, searching my face as if looking for something. "Let's just say I, too, had a forbidden relationship, one that could have dire consequences for a lot of people. Maybe someday I'll tell you about it, but I'm not ready."

I placed my hand on his. "You don't have to tell me anything. I'm sorry for your situation, but at the same time, I'm glad someone can understand what I'm feeling."

Angela came through the kitchen to the patio, talking on her cell, and she sounded pissed off. She had a severe case of bed head and obviously hadn't freshened up.

"Who the fuck do you think you're talking to, dirtbag? Just let it go, okay? It's over." She raked a hand through her snarled hair, yanking it back from her forehead. "Or what? You aren't in a position to—"

Angela paced back and forth on the patio, barefoot. "You have no idea what I'm capable of." Her voice was filled with venom. "Fine! It's your funeral, asshole!"

Santo and I exchanged a confused look. I'd never seen her so agitated.

She swung my way and held out her phone. "It's for you." I stared at her, open-mouthed. She pressed the phone into my hand. "Take it, Chica."

I held the phone on my lap, afraid to know who was on the other end.

Santo waved at Angela. "Moretti! Calm down. Have some breakfast."

Angela stopped and perused the table full of food. "Yes, thank you. And you"—she pointed at me—"take the call."

I put the phone to my ear. "Hello?"

There was an indrawn breath at the other end.

"Is anyone there?"

"Princess." His voice was a rough whisper.

I didn't say a word. I got up from the table and went down the steps, strolling slowly around the edge of the pool. He was still there; I could feel him. I knew I should tell him to fuck off and hang up, but I couldn't do it.

"Was that Lanzo I heard in the background?"

He finally speaks, and that's what he's worried about? "None of your business. This was a bad idea." I was about to end the call.

"Wait! Don't hang up. Please, princess."

The desperation in his voice kept me on the phone. I didn't say anything, just waited for him to speak.

"I need to see you."

"That's not going to happen." I swallowed hard and fought to push away the memory of his hands all over me.

"There's so much I want to say to you."

"I think your actions last night spoke volumes."

"I had no idea my father was going to call me up there. I told you we needed to talk, that I would tell you everything."

I laughed bitterly. "Tell me what? That you targeted the daughter of your father's enemy, soon to be your enemy?"

"No! That's not what happened!"

"Talk fast. I'm out of patience."

"Please, meet me somewhere."

"Did you know that night in the alley? Did you know who I was?"

"I had no fucking idea! I didn't know who you were until . . . until my father told me to take a good look across the room at our enemies, to memorize their faces." He hesitated, breathing harshly. "And then . . . I saw you at Aro Volturi's table."

"You're telling me you had no idea who I was up in the mezzanine?"

"No! I knew you had to be somebody's daughter, but I didn't know whose."

I plopped down on a chaise lounge and looked up into the blue sky. I wanted to believe him, but I also wanted him to be lying. It would be easier in the long run. My heart clenched painfully at the thought. "What if you had known? Would it have made a difference?" I whispered the question. I knew I should end this here and now, no explanations necessary, but I couldn't stop.

"No." He sighs. "Well, yes. I would have told you the truth first, but I still would have wanted you."

I was speechless, and hot tears streaked my face. I took a deep, shuddering breath. "Why? So you could shove it in my father's face?" I wanted to scream the words at him, but my voice was low and weak.

"No, princess! It's you I want. I don't care about your father."

"Well, you should. If he finds out what you did, he'll destroy you." I tightened one fist, digging my nails into the palm.

"Meet me, princess."

"No. You need to forget about me—just like I'm going to forget about you."

I hung up.

The phone rang a moment later. Unknown caller. I declined the call. He kept calling over and over.

Unknown caller

Until I turned the phone off. Scrunching my eyes closed, I cradled Angela's phone against my chest and allowed bitter tears to fall.

~*oOo*~

A/N: Give me your thoughts, guys! I love reading your theories. A bunch of you are shipping Angela with Santo. You never know...

Thanks and gratefulness as always to my awesome betas, SassySue (chayasara) and Wendy wmr1601. These ladies make my stuff much more presentable!

My new drabble-ish story Animal will be featured on The Lemonade Stand Sneak Peek feature on Saturday, September 24th. Will be teasing the summary, part of a chapter, the banner, and the date the story will start posting!

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