CHAPTER 16 - TWO DATES

Romeo had insisted that he drive us, and I admit, I am wondering what another date with Mr De Luca would be like, now that we are something, our last date if you could call it that, was interesting. So the first two dates to start off new? I like this Romeo. We are heading out of the city and it's more of a scenic drive. I haven't been out of the city since I have been in hiding so this is all new to me, the fall air is crisp and I see the leaves changing colour, its beautiful. I turn to look at Romeo, and he looks relaxed as he drives, but not as relaxed as I would have hoped. "Romeo is everything alright? You look rather distracted," I ask knowing he might not answer.

"It's just work, for the first time I'm really having feelings I don't know how to deal with." Romeo answers, but is still cryptic.

"Why don't you tell me what's bothering you. What's got you feeling so unsettled? You want me to trust you, so trust me." I know that's a cheap shot, but I also would love to see if Romeo really does trust me.

Romeo sighs heavily and just when I think he will close up and not say a word he surprises me. "Alina, there's an underage trafficking ring in New York. Young girls that should be enjoying school and being teens are being sold for sex," he grips the steering wheel, his knuckles white with frustration. "Some of the girls have been raped and murdered. I need to stop this, I can't fail these girls, and it's one of my supposed allies, Mancini. His son Drago is running it all. If I kill him I start a war." Romeo says finally letting out a breath and I put my hand over his right resting on his leg in comfort.

Romeo pulls up at a park and says we are here. He gets out and opens my door, taking my hand he walks me to a picnic blanket with food and wine scattered over the blanket. It's so romantic, we get to have a picnic on the beautiful Autumn leaves overlooking a lake with stunning white ducks floating nearby. Romeo doesn't say anything, just holds my hand tight. "It's beautiful Romeo, so peaceful." I turn to him and give him a kiss which he returns with a small smile.

We sit down and Romeo pours us a glass of wine. "Romeo, I understand why you feel that way about those girls, I have no doubt you will save them. I remember Toscano from when I was younger in my teens, about sixteen to be exact, it was way before you, Drago his son came with him he was eighteen at the time. My father had tried to make the same deal with Vincent Toscano as he made with your father. I was to marry Drago when I came of age. Only Drago had been trying to woo me I guess and one day he cornered me in the garden and he tried to kiss me and I said no, and he hit me, and beat me so badly I landed up in hospital with a broken wrist and a concussion with two cracked ribs. I will never forget him shouting that I was his and I will do what he says, the man was a psychopath at eighteen. My father pulled the deal and wouldn't allow any man to hurt me like that, my mother said she would leave him and take me away if I were to marry that boy, the only time she acted like a mother. My father stopped doing business with them, and as far as I know Drago was a loose cannon and even his father couldn't control him." I stare out onto the water and watch the ducks.

Romeo is quiet for a while and he pulls me close to him. "Bella I'm so sorry." I shake my head.

"It was a long time ago, Drago is scum, so is his father for going along with what he does. Francesca his sister is no better. Drago deserves a slow agonising death. I feel for those girls, if there is anything I can do to help, I will." I say turning to Romeo, who looks at me with a warmth and emotion that I can't put my finger on, he pulls me close and gives me slow lingering kiss.

"We have a plan set up for Sunday to rescue the girls and if I can help it, it will be the last breath Drago ever breathes." Romeo says after a little while pulling me to him so I'm sitting between his legs facing the water as he leans against a huge oak tree. "Alina I really am sorry for the way I acted the other night, believe it or not, that truly was out of character for me, and I don't know why I was so stupid," Romeo says in almost a whisper in my ear.

"Well, I forgive you, but I don't know if I have the right to even be mad. Its not like I'm your girlfriend, but I admit it hurt more than I thought it would," I say with a sigh.

"Alina, you're my girl. I haven't dated or had a relationship before you. I would like to think you are my girlfriend and that your anger and hurt were well placed," Romeo says knocking the breath out me and I turn to look in his eyes, vulnerability clearly present with a hint of hope.

"Oh Romeo..." I say and I pull him into a long lingering passionate kiss, which he returns. A soft moan escapes me, Romeo pushes me down on the blanket gently and he kisses me as if his life depends on it, I grab onto the front of his black jacket as he lays half over me. He breaks the kiss and looks into my eyes, "I am such a lucky man cara mia." (my darling) "You're mine," Romeo says straying into my eyes.

"I'm yours, my Romeo," I answer stroking his dear face feeling the old stubble beneath my fingers and he kisses me again and we both break into a smile. The rest of the afternoon is spent with us taking a stroll and eating, laughing and feeding the ducks, just enjoying each others company. Late afternoon we decide to head back and I notice we are heading in the direction of Romeo's house.

"I thought we could get ready at my place, if that is alright, I asked Leo to ask Mari to pack some of your things for the night," bless him he actually blushes saying this, the cutest shade of pink.

"I would like that," I answer with a smile pulling his hand to my lips and I plant a kiss on it that seems to make him beam. We pull up to his mansion ten minutes later and make our way inside.

It's just after five giving me about an hour and a half to get ready. Romeo arranged a make-up and hair stylist to do my hair. "Romeo I'm going to have a shower, thank you for sending all the dresses for me," I say smiling.

"Anything for you cara mia," Romeo says kissing me softly. "Leo and Mari will meet us there, he's her date," he says smirking. I shake my head and head to the bathroom, after a leisurely shower it's time to get ready. I use the spare room as that's where the hair stylist and make up artist are set up. I look through all the dresses and settle for a gold floor length off the shoulder, sweetheart neckline fitted dress, which happens to have a very high slit in it, I pair it with a pair of matching gold backless, ankle strap stiletto. I see a big red Cartier box, and I open it, it's a yellow gold drop diamond necklace with yellow diamonds in it, with matching earrings and a matching diamond cuff. It's absolutely stunning. I think Romeo knew I would choose the gold one.

My make up is kept simple with bronzes, a little gold and heavy liner, with a matt red lip, my nails are just a simple French manicure. My hair, I choose a low bun pulled down in a side path. I spritz on some 'Yes I Do' perfume from YSL and I put on the dress and accessories. I look red carpet ready, I grab a white fur coat from the rack and a gold clutch and I'm ready. Romeo's house keeper holds the coat for me as I walk.

I take a breath and head downstairs, in search of Romeo. I walk into the lounge area where I hear his voice, he is instructing a few men and Leo, who is head of security for tonight and all the men freeze, Romeo has his back to me and he notices the men not paying attention and focusing behind him. I feel so self conscious, he turns around to see what's gotten their attention and the look of utter shock and awe is all over his face, he's frozen and I stand there awkwardly with a small smile. His look changes to lust and something more as he walks over to me, "Sembri assolutamente sbalorditiva la mia bella ragazza," Romeo says and kisses me on the cheek.

(You look absolutely stunning my beautiful girlfriend)

"Sembri altrettanto bello il mio bel ragazzo," I say in return, placing a chaste kiss on his lips.

(You look just as beautiful my handsome boyfriend).

Romeo takes my coat and puts it on me, he sees the guys still staring at me and he frowns. "All of you fuck off!" He says in a menacing tone and the scatter, only Dario stays behind.

"Cousin you better keep this one close, she's one of a kind, a true diamond," Dario says chuckling as he walks away, and Romeo scowls at him, his jaw ticking, reaching for his gun Dario laughs and puts his hands up and I can't help but giggle, someone is jealous. He takes my hand kissing it and leads me out to the black limousine.

"Wow, you went all out," I say turning to Romeo as he opens the door for me and helps me in.

"Only the best for you bella." Romeo says before sliding in gracefully next to me. Tino and Dario are up in the front on their tuxes. I have to say all Italian men look extra handsome in a tux, Romeo though he's on another level, I see his muscles straining and he is clean shaven with his hair slicked back, the man is drool worthy.

Romeo breaks me out of my reverie by handing me a glass of champagne as he puts up the privacy glass. "Per noi, nella nostra serata di apertura, meriti tutte le lodi stasera per il tuo duro lavoro e per avermi fatto l'invidia se ogni uomo stasera, applausi," Romeo toasts making me blush profusely.

(To us, on our opening night, you deserve all the praise tonight for your hard work and for making me the envy if every man tonight, cheers)

"Grazie per tutto quello che hai fatto, sono davvero l'invidia di ogni donna stasera, non vedo l'ora di festeggiare il nostro duro lavoro, evviva," I answer clinking my glass with Romeo's and the cool gold liquid glides down my throat as we smile and give each other a well deserved passionate kiss.

(Thank you for everything you have done, I am truly the envy of every woman tonight, I can't wait to celebrate our hard work, cheers)

My nerves settle in as we are half way there, I'm so afraid to get my picture taken. "Don't worry Lina, there will be no pictures for us, we are arriving at the underground private entrance, no photographers, si?" Romeo informs me and I nod on thanks and squeeze his hand.

We drive around the front of the hotel and it's beautiful, people stopping to get their picture taken, there's a red carpet, lights and so many paparazzi. It looks like the Oscars or Grammy Awards. It's absolutely amazing, the planner really followed my instructions well. We pull up underground at the private entrance and true to his word there are no photographers, and only a few are invited inside. I take a breath in relief. Romeo takes my hand and we walk into the elevator, I pass my coat to one of the men and hold onto Romeo's hand and see we have hit the lobby. The place is decorated so beautifully, flowers and golds and rich reds everywhere, it looks like a real ball. Romeo pulls out two masks, a beautiful gold filigree mask for me and a black ornately decorated one for himself.

I smile and take it and put it on, and he slips his on, at least inside of they take pictures they won't know it's me. I'm so grateful for that. Romeo walk me to the door surrounded by security and it's time to head inside, just beyond those doors, all our hard work is about to pay off, and I can't help but feel so much pride at the thought, then why do I feel in the pit of my stomach like something might just go wrong tonight? It must be the nerves.