CHAPTER 38 - ITALIAN ILLUSION CHAPTER 38 - ITALIAN ILLUSION

Alina POV:

Nine hours and three minutes is how long the flight is, and I have to say its not at all unpleasant. Jake has been pestering me about details, well I told him some of what happened and he was shocked and somewhat saddened that I still had a reaction, he had tears in his eyes but was happy that I took control. He's such an amazing friend, I just wish Mari were here.

We are about to land and Romeo holds my hand as the plane descends and finally comes to a stop. We get unbuckled and I grab my purse since Romeo has his men grab the luggage. Its so warm in Italy but heading into fall soon, the last of the summer days. Romeo barks off orders as soon we set foot on the tarmac. "Ciao, per favore assicurati che abbiamo la sicurezza che circonda le macchine fino a raggiungere la villa. Non ci sono fermate e assicurati che tutti siano armati."

(Hi, please make sure we have security surrounding the cars till we reach the villa. No stops, and make sure everyone is armed)

"Si," all the men answer.

"Lina, questo è Sabasdion, Daniel, Fabian, Emilio e Shane, la nostra principale sicurezza per il viaggio. Sono i miei uomini di fiducia qui in Italia e si occupano anche dei miei genitori e mia sorella, due o tre saranno sempre con noi a meno che Luc non sia con noi, allora saranno due di loro e poche altre guardie a distanza. Capire? Possiedo questa città ma è pericolosa, ho bisogno di sapere che sei sempre al sicuro," Romeo says to me hiding my face in both hands making sure I understand.

(Lina, this is Sabasdion, Daniel, Fabian, Emilio and Shane, our main security for the trip. They are my trusted men here in Italy and they also look after my parents and sister, two or three will be with us at all times unless Luc is with us then it will be two of them and a few other guards at a distance. Understand? I own this city but its dangerous, I need to know you are safe at all times)

"Sì, capisco il mio amore, non c'è bisogno di preoccuparsi. Starò attento," I answer loudly knowing this is Romeo Mafia King right now.

(Yes I understand my love, no need to worry. I will be careful)

I have to admit, being out in Italy and being with the family is a huge step to take, everyone will know now that I am with Romeo, possibly for life. Its all quite daunting and doing nothing for my nerves, I still have to apologise to his family for running off. We have an SUV for the trip heading toward Tuscany, a beautiful villa and wine estate as Romeo says, I take in the scenery and I can't believe how my life has changed to finally be here again. If it weren't for Romeo I would still be on the run from that monster I had to call father. Its a good thirty minute drive from the private airstrip but well with it. We finally pull up to the villa, it's like an estate on it's own, it's huge and gorgeous, well huge is an understatement. We drive through huge black ornate iron gates surrounded by a massive brick wall and it's like a world on its own.

Fields of grapevines, gardens and water fixtures and a lake are scattered and its rustic and beautiful, the driveway is long and the house looks even bigger than I initially thought. An absolute rustic, very Tuscan style mansion of mansions in a beautiful beige color with terracotta tiles on the roof and beautiful vines on the walls. I could not have pictured anything quite so beautiful. We pull up around the massive fountain surrounded by stone fixtures and flowers and land up in front of the door. Security steps out first and then we get out. I see Romeo's parents and sister standing outside waiting.

"Ciao, mamma, papà, Isabella," Romeo greets along with Luc.

(Hello, mom, dad and Isabella)

Luc introduces Jake, and his parents are over the moon. And Romeo takes my hand knowing I'm nervous. His mother comes to me and surprises me and pulls me into a loving hug. "It's so lovely to see you again Alina, we have been so excited," she says and I breathe out a sigh of relief. Isabella gives me a quick hug and is off speaking to Luc and Romeo.

"Mrs De Luca, Mr De Luca, I'm so happy to be here and I'm so sorry about what happened those months ago," I say sincerely, and Romeo's dad comes up to me and gives me warm hug too.

"Nonsense dear, and call me Sofia and him Alfonso, you are family," Sofia says to me shocking me and I smile.

"Thank you Sofia," I say grateful. Alfonso is a man of few words but he gives me a warm smile.

"Let's get you all inside, Luc show Jake your bedroom and Romeo, show Lina yours and we will have a huge welcome dinner at seven, you guys need to settle in. The maids will be at your service if you need anything," Sofia says and hands us all a glass of iced tea as we enter the beautiful house. The floor to ceiling windows are all draped in white organza, with a light breeze blowing, this house is incredible.

Romeo takes my hand and walks me to his bedroom, it's way on the other side of the house over looking the back yard and vineyards by the lake. "Bella, we all have our own wings in the house, we are the west. Luc is the east, mom and dad the north. Issy has the south," Romeo explains and he opens the double doors to his bedroom, it's absolutely stunning, white bedding on a king sized bed, dark woods and blue tones. Very Romeo. "The bathroom is through there on the right Lina and the closet is through there on the left. We can unpack or take a nap, we have a few hours till dinner, or we could take a walk?" Romeo asks almost rambling.

"Romeo, I think I would like to unpack, shower and to change and then you can show me around? This place is amazing," I answer his rambling.

"Sure bella, anything you want. I will get the maids to unpack, you go have a shower, I just need to have a word with my dad and I will be back," Romeo says and gives me a long sweet kiss. I nod and get out my toiletries and something to light to wear, since it's so warm here still. I see some maids come in and start unpacking and it's taking me back to when I lived with my family.

I lay out a white short sun dress and some gold flat sandals and some white lace underwear. I walk into the bathroom and it's absolutely gorgeous, dark wood, black marble silver and blue with a massive mirror above his and her basins. The shower is the size of a small living room and the bath is a sunken Jacuzzi. It's luxury. I turn on the shower and wait for the water to get warm, I set out all my things on the counter by the sink and grab my face wash, body wash, hair shampoo and conditioner, razor and sponge, placing it all in the shower. I strip down and enjoy the soothing feeling of the semi warm water. I do all the necessary and grab a towel and dry my body and hair.

I'm alone in the bedroom and I rub some lotion on my body and when Romeo comes in. "You look so beautiful bella," Romeo says as he leans in to kiss me.

"Thank you baby, is everything alright?" I question since Romeo hauled ass to speak to his dad.

"Everything is fine Lina, just had to discuss some business, see how things are going over here. Let me have a shower and we can take that walk, si?" Romeo says as he strips down to nothing throwing his clothes in the hamper. God he's so hot, I can't help but bite my lip as he walks into the bathroom with that tight ass.

"Si," I squeak and I hear Romeo chuckle. I slip on my underwear, sun dress and sandals and necklace and let my hair air dry in long slight waves. I put on some tinted sunscreen and no other make up. I stand by the balcony leaning on the rail in the warm breeze looking out and just taking in that I'm in Italy with my amazing boyfriend. I feel his arms around my waist.

"You look so beautiful and might I mention Lina, I love how short your dress is," Romeo says running his one hand up my thigh, and I laugh, swatting his hand away.

"If you start that we won't stop, and I want it see the place," I scold him. Romeo chuckles and I turn around as he walks away and he drops his towel dramatically and turns to wink at me. He slips on boxers, tan cargo shorts, a white tank and white shirt with casual white slip on's. It's just occurred to me I have never seen Romeo so casual, his hair sexy and tousled and his all mine. We head down stairs and meet Luc and Jake. "Hey boys, we are going to take a walk, Romeo wants to show me the place, care to join?" I ask them, and I notice Isabella looking less than friendly at me.

"I would love too, what about you Luc?" Jake asks jumping up and down and Luc smiles and nods.

"Isabella? Would you like to join us?" I ask her and she looks me up and down clicks her tongue and walks away. "Romeo, I think Isabella hates me," I say whispering to him. Like a switch, Romeo is furious.

"Isabella Sofia De Luca!" Romeo shouts and she stops midway down the hall. "You will show some respect, I don't give a fuck for your teen mood swings, you do not treat family that way!" Romeo bursts.

"She isn't family now is she? You're not married and she left you once already, who's to say she will stick around this time," Isabella fires back.

Romeo is furious, and stalks over to her, almost grabbing her, but Luc stops him. "You better watch who you are fucking speaking too and watch what you say, you don't have a fucking clue what Alina went through, have some fucking respect." I know Romeo loves his sister and I know he would never speak to her like this but he's beyond pissed.

"Well I'm not afraid of you, playing Mafia King. She will just leave you again," Isabella says and my eyes sting and Jake ushers me out onto the patio.

"Enough Isabella!" I hear Alfonso bellow. "You will not speak to your brother that way, or Alina, you don't know everything and he is the Head of the fucking Mafia families, you show him respect! If you don't, you will be cut off!" Alfonso says pointing in her face.

"Father deal with her because I will fucking kill her for what she's said," Romeo spits out and comes over to me where Jake is still holding me and pulls me into his arms. "It's ok Lina, I'm sorry you had to hear that and see that, don't listen to her," Romeo says.

"She's right, you all don't deserve what I done, and I hurt you and in turn I hurt your family," I say sobbing into his chest and I feel Jake rubbing my back. Sofia is standing by my side looking like she had the wind knocked out of her. "I'm going up stairs, I don't feel well, I think I'm going to rest," I say apologetically to Romeo and I can see the sadness in his eyes, as well as rage for what has happened.

"Ok amore, go rest I will be up in a bit," Romeo says and I nod.

Jake walks with me up the stairs and hear a loud slap. "I never raised you like this Isabella, you will apologise and mean it. Our family hurt her! You have no right!" Sofia shouts.

"Isabella, you are my sister but what you have done here today, I will never forgive you if this puts Alina back," Romeo says deathly calm. Jake pulls me up the stairs and puts me to bed where is sob myself to sleep.

What a great start to our vacation... Is my last thought before sweet oblivion.