FEDERICO

Domani sits down on the couch in my office, unbuttoning his suit jacket after pouring himself a drink. "From what Luca said, you're going to need more than a shovel to dig out of the crater size hole you threw yourself in. Did you really say she has a personality of a fucking wet mop?"

I grind my teeth at the reminder. "I wasn't being fucking literal."

Domani laughs. "How else do you mean it?"

The chime of a phone stops me from hurling insults at him to wipe the grin off his face. Elenora's friend, Clara, has been blowing up her phone, texting her all fucking day.

"Obviously, last night didn't go as I planned."

"No shit." Domani chuckles. "I lost money betting you'd at least hit first base with her, maybe even settle into third base if you really hit off, but instead you have to fucking grovel and save face. What did your Zia say?" (Aunt)

"First, don't be so fucking dramatic. Second, you know I don't grovel." I walk to the drink table and pour myself some Bourbon. "And Zia Rosetta doesn't need a play by play, Dom."

I pull out Elenora's phone when it chimes again and sit across from him. "She left her phone at the hotel yesterday." I place it on the table between us.

The struggle that took place between her and I after I tried to get her to go out with me replays in my head. She was so fiery compared to our back and forth exchange during the conversation at the table; that was more a defiant front she was putting on. But after what she heard me say about her, it's clear she despises me. Especially, when she tried to pawn off that woman on me, who did imbue the personality of a wet mop.

I found the phone after she left me with that awful woman and her cackling friends. "It's not as bad as you think."

Domani sniggers. "I'm all for confidence, but you fucking let the girl know you wouldn't go near her without the aid of drugs or alcohol, cuz."

"That's why this will work out perfectly when she falls for me on her own."

"I'll believe it when I see it. Maybe go for another sister."

"I can't, one sister appears too impulsive to deal with and Luca has a date with the second sister tonight. I'll be going with Luca to drop off her phone. And while I'm there, I will get her to agree to go out with me."

"Not if she's the one being negotiated into the union with the Clemenza's."

The possibility of that is unsettling, but after my short time with her, it's highly unlikely; she doesn't seem like a docile bride to be. "I doubt it."

A knock comes at the door and Luca walks in. "You ready?"

I throw the rest of my drink back before I stand. "Yeah, I'll follow you, there."

"Good luck, cuz." Domani claps my shoulder as we follow Luca out.

"I don't need luck."

__________________

I follow Luca up the long winding drive and pull up to the house. Tiziano has done well for himself; selling people out to get on top.

"You sure this will work?" Luca questions as he meets me near the front door.

"It will." Though I push some lingering doubts from my head away. It can't be that bad, nothing that a few compliments can't fix.

"There's a chance you'll see Tiziano Borelli face to face, are you prepared for that?" Luca asks, straightening his tie.

"I've been ready for a long time, Luca."

A housemaid opens the door and Luca introduces us. The maid leads us to a large formal dining room. I notice Elenora is not here as I scan the room.

"I apologize for the interruption, I'm here for Signorina Jaqueline," Luca says politely. I recognize Tiziano from the photographs then his wife. I recognize the two sisters from last night, and a younger child, but I'm not sure who the man is next to her. Then the patriarch Orsino Borelli stands and greets us formally.

"It's good to meet you, Luca." Tiziano shakes Luca's hand. His wife motions for Jaqueline to hurry and get up.

Luca introduces me. "This is my cousin, Federico." I shake Tiziano's hand even though I have thoughts of breaking it in my mind.

He wraps an arm around his wife and introduces her. "My wife, Teresa." I paint a smile on my face before kissing both sides of hers.

Tiziano then gestures to the others. "The rest of our family; we were about to start eating, you are welcome to join us."

"Oh Nora! What happened to your face?" The young child exclaims, her gaze focused behind us.

I turn around to see the shock, and furious expression on Elenora's face to see us but it's overshadowed by her red-rimmed eyes and her lower right, swollen lip. She blinks before she composes herself and walks past us without saying anything, taking a seat at the table.

"Where are your damn manner's?" Orsino scowls and steps towards her, but Tiziano grips on to his arm.

Luca declines the invitation to stay for dinner and mentions to the Borelli's that he's taking Jaqueline on a helicopter ride over the city. The sisters, with the exception of Elenora, squeal in excitement and obvious envy.

Tiziano looks at me. "You are welcome to stay, Federico."

"Thank you, I'd be delighted." Elenora's head snaps up.

Luca takes Jaqueline's hand and leads her out of the room. The women erupt in several versions of telling them goodbye or goodnight and to be safe.

I turn back to the table and am glad to realize the only empty seat is next to Elenora, now that Jaqueline has left. I sit down next to her and scoot my chair closer to her.

"Long time no see, Elenora." She jumps when I rest my hand on her knee, causing the silverware to rattle on the table.

"Not nearly long enough, Pinnochio." She attempts to pry my hand off her leg, but I tighten my grip.

Teresa Borelli spits out her drink and Tiziano chokes on his food; he hits his chest, before he admonishes Elenora. While her sister covers her laughter by coughing. "Nora, I'm done with your disrespectful behavior tonight," Tiziano scolds.

"I'm sorry for my daughter's ill-mannered demeanor," Teresa apologizes.

I hold my other hand up to stop her from apologizing. "The name is just a joke between us." They look back at me skeptical even Elenora narrows her eyes at me.

I scan over her sweater and read the words out loud. "You couldn't handle me even if I came with instructions." I laugh. "I haven't known you long, but I have a feeling that's very true."

"Please don't encourage her, Signor." Teresa glares at Elenora.

"Please call me Rico."

"So, Rico, how long have you known Nora?" Tiziano takes a bite of his food, but keeps his eyes on Elenora as she picks up her fork and begins stabbing at the salad on her plate. Almost violently.

"Oh, not long, we met last night at the speed dating event."

Elenora mutters a string of curses that not only surprise me but also intrigue me.

"Speed dating?" Tiziano repeats a bit indignant. The sisters exchange a brief worried glance between themselves.

"Yes." I begin, reading the tension in the room. "It's held quarterly in one of my family's hotels."

I figure this is a good chance to try to comfort her realizing she looks flustered and I caress her thigh, but after she takes a bite of her steak, she lowers her fork under the table, and begins fucking stabbing my hand with it.

"I assure you, it was very sensible, nothing obscene." I add, giving everyone another charming smile, even though I'm trying to pry the fork out of Elenora's hands.

Our struggle over it ends when it drops to the floor.

She clearly needs to relax and is too wound up. I begin circling patterns over her thigh, my finger travels up higher and higher as I continue describing the event to her parents.

"Stop it," she hisses. She's now moved on to pinching and clawing my hand. I smile at her when she gasps after I squeeze the top of her thigh.

Her parents look over at her, as she grips the table. "Dropped my fork," She announces before she bends down to look for it and kicks my shin hard. I grit my teeth from the sharp pain, but I decide to move my hand to her knee, for now. However, that results in an even more violent jab of her fork in my thigh.

"Got it!" Elenora exclaims, straightening herself back up, glaring at me. I force a smile at her before addressing her parents again.

"Your daughters were very respectful and stood out among the other ladies in attendance."

Everyone looks over at Elenora when she lets out an unlady-like snort next to me.

"It's too late for Nora to date; she's getting married." The child states through a mouthful of potatoes. My hand tenses on her knee at the news and then I see the spiteful smile on her face.

"We're celebrating her engagement, to Paolo." The child pats the arm of the man sitting next to her, who must be Paolo. Paolo smiles at her, but has no idea what is being said.

"You're engaged, then?" I take notice of her ringless hand.

"So, I'm told." Elenora gives me a wide smile while she manages to shove my hand off of her knee. She returns to pushing her food around her plate.

"It's still early in the arrangement," Teresa explains. "There are things still to discuss and Paolo and Elenora are just getting to know each other.."

"I'm sure you are aware, arranged marriages are common in our culture; to ensure stability, security and longevity of families," Tiziano says even as Elenora scoffs quietly.

Maybe I can sway Elenora's opinion of me, yet.

Of course Tiziano might not like me after this, but I don't really care. "Yes, but it's considered illegal now, depending on how it's done." I challenge Tiziano. "It was done as a code of honor between families. I mean, times have changed, have they not?" Elenora watches the interaction closely.

"The dying practice hasn't been done for a long time now, regardless of tradition. It was necessary in times when women were unable or incapable to care for themselves due to financial reasons or medical reasons. With all due respect, Signor Borelli, Elenora doesn't strike me as someone who is incapable of taking care of herself."

The silence that follows intensifies the tension in the room. Tiziano observes me for a long moment. "I appreciate your opinion, Federico," He finally speaks, sighing. "But as a father of four girls, it is my duty and obligation to make sure they are taken care of should anything happen to me. Legality aside, I'm sure you understand, sometimes we do things that we normally wouldn't to protect our families."

Paolo clears his throat, running a hand down over his pornstache. "I'm sorry, I'm having a hard time keeping up; only catching bits and pieces," He says in Italian looking around the table.

"Do not worry, my friend, we are just discussing yours and Elenora's impending nuptials and making sure Elenora's value is transparent in all of this," I respond in Italian as well. I rest my hand on Elenora's thigh again; she attempts to push it off again, but stops when Paolo speaks up.

"I assure you, Signorina Elenora, will be well taken care of. I've been studying up on how to make a woman happy," Paolo responds, wiggling his thick eyebrows at me. I'm surprised when Elenora's hand tightens on mine.

Tiziano smiles around the room before he seems to register Paolo's words and then scowls at him.

Another idea pops in my head. "I'm sure that is true, friend, but I think it's important to set the expectations and duties Elenora will have as a wife beforehand," I comment and from the look on Elenora's face—which went from terrified to furious—I know this could work.

"Believe me, her life and happiness will be my top priority. And in turn, I know she will be a doting wife. That is until we have kids and then they will be priority." Paolo runs a hand through his greasy hair, and winks at Elenora. "We'll have six or seven, god willing, of course." I smile as Paolo falls right into my bait and makes himself the bigger villain than me.

Elenora stands abruptly, my hand falling from her leg. "I've lost my appetite. And since a conversation is taking place as if I'm not even here to begin with, I'm sure my absence won't even be noticed."

Orsino pounds his fist onto the table. "Quando la smetterai di mettere in imbarazzo questa famiglia?" (when will you stop embarrassing this family)

Elenora glares at her nonno before she focuses her angry eyes on her parents, who say nothing. She takes a deep breath and rushes out of the room and then we hear a door slam shortly after.

The Borelli's apologize for the way dinner has turned out. After a few minutes, I decide to see if I can find Elenora to talk to her. "Thank you for inviting me to stay for dinner, but I have to be on my way. May I use the restroom before I leave?"

Tiziano and Orsino both stand and shake my hand and then Teresa instructs me to the nearest bathroom down the hallway. I excuse myself before I head down the hallway, but I stop when I see Elenora tiptoeing down the stairs, carrying a large bag over her shoulder. I press myself against the wall so she doesn't see me.

She cranes her neck down the hall, where we can still hear the quiet murmuring coming from the dining room. I approach her quietly as she focuses on making sure no one comes out and then turns, slamming into me.

Her eyes widen as she teeters back, the weight of the bag begins to give into gravity and pulls her with it. My hands shoot out to grip her hips and keep her from falling.

I straighten her and adjust the bag on her shoulder, smiling. "Are you running away from home?"

"I don't live here, so no, I'm not," she replies, raising her chin. "I forgot a few of my things while I—because—" She stammers and then stops. "You know what? It's none of your business. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going home."

I stand in her way, keeping her from reaching the door. "And where's home?"

"Again, none of your business." She steps to the side and I mirror her movements, blocking her again.

I shove my hands in my pockets and then glance at the pictures on the wall of their family. I lean in, when I realize the photo I'm looking at is one of her and Tiziano. She's sitting on his lap and missing her two front teeth. "Cute."

She sets her bag down. "Why are you here, Rico?"

"I have something you want."

"Doubtful."

"No?" I pull her phone from my pocket. "Okay, well then, I'll just take this with me." I turn to leave, but she grabs my arm.

"I've been going crazing looking for it," she tells me. She holds her hand out for me to give it to her, but I raise an eyebrow.

"Please," She grinds out through her teeth.

"That wasn't so hard now, was it?" I grin and plop the phone in her hand. "You're welcome by the way."

"For what? For bruising me up yesterday?" She lowers the top portion of the oversized sweatshirt to show me bruises on her shoulder and the top of her arm. But I have a hard time focusing as she's flashing me her bra and one of her full breasts. She covers up much too soon, hastily in her anger.

"Or how about practically assaulting me with my family in the same room during dinner." She slips her phone into her bag. "Oh, wait, I know! I should be thankful you were discussing my future with the other village idiot that's here tonight!" She picks up her bag and heads for the door, but I follow and grab her arm before she starts going down the front steps.

"You shouldn't leave on your own like this, Nora. It's not safe."

She wrenches her arm out of my hand and glares back at me. "I can handle myself."

"Really? Then what happened to your lip?"

"I walked into a door." She starts walking away again.

"Classic answer from a victim of abuse." I catch up to her and grab her, except this time by her elbow. "Let me drive you home, at least; unless you have a car?"

She looks down the driveway and then back at the house, weighing out her options before she finally concedes.

"Fine."

She follows me and the lights to my Alfa Romeo car flash as I unlock it. I walk to the passenger side and open the door for her to get in. When I get into the driver seat, I notice she scrunches her nose.

"What's with the face?" I click on my seat belt.

"Nothing."

"Okay, so I can add you like to make faces for no reason on the lists of things I find interesting about Elenora."

She lets out a humorless laugh. "You mean the list of things you can add about me being dull."

"No, that's a completely different list and twice as long," I reply with a smirk. She narrows her eyes at me and reaches for the seatbelt, but it locks when she pulls at it. Of course that doesn't stop her from trying to pull at it like a crazy person, muttering under her breath.

She turns towards the door, as she continues fighting with it. She stops when I brush my fingers against her arm, skimming her hand as I grab onto the belt, unlocking it. Her eyes move over my hand and then follow my arm. Her breathing quickens, when she turns her head to see how close we are.

She keeps her large brown eyes focused on mine for a moment as I pull the seat belt over her and her eyes travel to my lips as I tuck in my bottom lip and her own part. Our eyes meet again before I look down at her lips.

When I click her seat belt she blinks rapidly, snapping her out of the moment. "I hate the smell of cigarette smoke and you and your car reek of it," she blurts out.

I lean away. "I guess it's a good thing I don't care what you hate or don't, principessa." She rolls her eyes and I start the engine, pulling away from the house. (princess)

"Where to?"

She gives me the address, and then we sit in silence. "So, how did it go with Vanessa?" From the corner of my eye, I see her shaking her head.

"Who?" I question as I mess with the radio trying to find something that isn't playing damn commercials.

"Vanessa. You know, Satan's mistress that I introduced you to last night?"

I smile to myself, she's curious about what happened. "Right, her. Yeah, we ended up fucking if that's what you're wondering."

Her mouth drops before she snaps it closed and looks out the window.

"But I was thinking of you the whole time." I grin at her.

Her head snaps over to me again. "You're disgusting."

"I'm kidding, where's your sense of humor?" I laugh, shaking my head.

"Probably the same place you left your brain."

"I didn't fuck her," I comment after a few minutes.

"I wouldn't care if you did."

"Yet, you asked how it went with her." My eyes flicker back to her and notice the red blush coloring her cheeks.

When we come to a red light, I look over at her again. "So, did you end up making a love connection yesterday or are you banking on this arrangement with the Italian version of Ned Flanders to work out?"

"Actually, I did."

My head snaps over to her. "With who?"

"You wouldn't know him."

"I could find out, you know." I threaten, knowing Luca has a list of all who attended.

"Go for it, then you could tell me who he is."

"What do you mean?"

She sighs. "I don't know his name or what he looks like for that matter." She focuses out the windshield, a faraway look on her face. "I was looking for a bathroom after our not so lovely date and ended up in this dark room. I couldn't find my way back out. My eyes, they take a really long time to adjust to darkness. Anyway, this guy came in and then he kissed me."

"You made a love connection from one kiss?"

She turns to glare at me. "No, I'm not some love struck teenager." She folds her arms across her chest. "But it was the way he kissed me, it's like he knew me because there was this element of familiarity but then the excitement of discovering each other for the first time." She shakes her head. "You wouldn't understand."

"You're right, I don't." I chuckle. "How do you know he wasn't just trying to fuck you?"

She takes a deep breath before she responds. "Not all men are whores, Rico." But then she begins muttering.

"What? You're mumbling."

"Forget it." She says as we pull up to the curb outside of an apartment building.

"Thanks." She starts to get out and I hurry to get out, too.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm making sure you get in alright." I grab her bag, but she doesn't let go of it. I look at her and after a mini tug of war over it, she groans, finally letting go.

She leads the way to the door. "It's controlled access, see?" She scans a card and pulls the door open. "It was one of the conditions my father requested in order for me to move out; I had to find a place with limited access."

The night doorman stands when he sees us. "Hello, Miss Nora."

"Hey, George." Elenora smiles in return and then he eyes me.

"This is Freddy." Elenora smirks. "He's just walking me up to my door."

The old man nods at me. "What a gentleman-like thing to do. You don't see that too often anymore," he shakes my hand before we walk into the elevator.

"He should not be manning a door, he's ancient," I tell her as soon as the elevator doors close. "What could he do against someone wanting to barge in here?"

"Little do you know he's black belt in Jiu Jitsu." She taps her foot watching the numbers on the monitor change as the elevator ascends.

I burst out laughing. "That guy is a black belt? You're shitting me!"

"No, I'm not 'shitting you'. What does that even mean? Like how is that supposed to mean the same thing as kidding or joking?" She questions and I laugh harder.

The elevator dings, and she lets out a sigh appearing to be relieved, and steps out of the elevator, fumbling with her keys as we come to a door.

When the door across the hall opens, Elenora groans. "Shit." An elderly woman stands smiling at us, holding an orange, tabby cat, in her arms. I can't help comparing the difference with the woman who had done the same when I was with my men in that run down apartment building.

"Elenora? Is that you dear? You've been out most of the day, I thought maybe you left for good this time." She peers at me over her bifocals, then lifts her glasses back up the bridge of her nose.

"Leo, you got taller, and better looking. I kept telling myself, Nora can do better and it looks like you took the time to make it happen. Good for you, you don't want her looking elsewhere for the goods, now do you?"

Elenora groans pinching the bridge of her nose. "Mrs. Jones, I know you know this isn't Leo. This is...he's just—"

"Hello, Mrs. Jones. My name is Federico, a friend of Elenora's." I set the bag down and reach for the woman's hand, kissing the back of it.

"Oh my." Mrs Jones giggles as she runs her hand along her short hair. "Well, aren't you just a charmer, please call me Vivienne." She smiles and then winks. "It's about time Nora found someone who knows how to treat a lady."

"Leo turned out to be a real piece of work. Sure, he was nice at first but there was always something about him that rubbed me the wrong way. You know how it is, when you meet someone and you can't figure out why you don't like them, you just don't."

"Back in my day we used to say 'if it's too good to be true it probably is' but love is blind, we want to see the good and hope the bad goes away or we think we can change people. You can't. Trust me. And then when Leo—"

"Mrs. Jones," Elenora cuts her off. "I'm really tired, and need to get up early in the morning."

"Oh, of course, dear, we'll have lunch soon." Then she looks at me and smiles. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Federico, I do hope to see you around more. You take care of my girl here, she may seem tough, but she needs someone to safeguard that big, fragile heart of hers."

"No need to worry, Mrs. Jones," I give her a charming smile. She closes her door but when I see the light darken in the peephole, I know she's still watching us. Elenora turns to focus on her door and this time I hear her muttering to herself about the downside of apartment living and having nosey-ass, meddling old neighbors.

Elenora unlocks the door and turns to say something, but I brush past her. "Just gonna hit the can before I go." I look around before I head towards the hallway bathroom. I notice the bedroom window is open and walk in. After I ensure the room is empty I close the window and lock it.

I walk back to the living room and towards the patio. I pull back the vertical slats and see there's no firescape which is a good thing, typically. Newer buildings don't have them nowadays. I check the door lock briefly before I face her.

"You left your bedroom window open."

"Why were you in my room?" Her eyebrows furrow together.

"The open window caught my eye and I shut it for you." I shrug as I look around. "Nice place." I focus on the pictures sitting on the bookshelves of her and a man with dark blond hair and green eyes. She appears younger in them and I notice there aren't any recent pictures of them.

I pick one up and study it for a moment. "This must be Leo, yeah?"

She tosses her keys on the counter. "Yep. So, thanks again for driving me here..." she trails off.

"Did you take these?" I gesture to the pictures hanging along the walls. A few are landscapes or black and whites from the chateaus, in Paris, if I'm correct.

"Yes, I'm a photographer."

"Hobby?"

"It's how I make a living."

I keep examine the photos. "You've been to Paris, I see."

"Yeah, I went last year on vacation with—" She stops, and then continues. "Paris was the longest stop so that's where most of the pictures are from, but there's also pictures from Rome, and England."

"C-O-O-L.".

She frowns back at me. "Can you please go now?"

"Why so eager to have me leave, chiacchiere?" I smile, walking over to her. (chatterbox)

"Let me guess...our dinner time woke something up in you and from what I can see it's been a while since you've felt someone touch you, so you're dying for the chance to itch the ditch?"

"Excuse me?"

"You know, buff the muffin, flick the bean, jill off, apply lip gloss, polish the pearl." I smirk. "Come on, has it been that long, has it? How about play the clitar, pet the kitty?"

Her eyes widen in realization. "You're so immature." She crosses her arms, but I can tell by the rapid rise and fall of her chest, and the way her face has flushed, she's thinking about it.

"Do you want me to do it for you?"

I catch the hand she aims for my face and then the other, pinning her hands against the wall. "No? Maybe one day. I'm curious if you taste as sweet as you look or are you as bitter as you sound when you talk?"

"You sick son of a bitch," She grits out. "Get the hell out of my apartment and out of my life!"

She inhales sharply when lean in closer. I brush my nose against hers and feel her quick breaths on my lips. "No, I think I'll stick around, maybe not in your apartment, but we'll see each other again, principessa." I dip my face lower and whisper against her ear. "Make sure you picture my face when you come tonight. Buona notte, Elenora." (princess, goodnight)

I push away from her and walk out of her apartment. I wasn't expecting to be so aroused being that close to her again. But now I need to go fucking release the pent up tension. I hit a number on my phone for such occasions.

"It's been a while, Rico." Surprise laced in her voice.

"The Barone Hotel, ten minutes." I hang up and lean back against the elevator wall as it descends. Tonight didn't go as I planned again, but I'm closer than I've been to finishing this.

***