Taming My Mafia Stepbrother

Cara’s pov

“What’s this?” I stared at the multiple clothing racks all filled with clothes being trolleyed into the room by a few female staff I’ve never met before.

My eyes shot to Luca, full of questions.

He avoided my eyes when he said, “They’re all yours.”

I must have been gawking at him because he added defensively, “you don’t have to keep them if you don’t want to. Just pick something you’d wear to the welcome party.”

His words sounded snappy and there was a slight scowl on his face but I found him cute. Never thought I’d be using such a word to describe the man but here we are.

I was suddenly in the mood to tease him. “But you said they were all mine.”

He shot me a side eye. “I did. But you get to decide.”

I canted my head, my lips drawing back in a teasing smile. “Luca Salvatore understanding choice? Is the world ending?”

My words earned me a dirty look.

“Well since it’s your natural instinct to reject anything and everything I give you, I figured I’ll give you a choice on the matter.”

That caused me to frown. “Inaccurate. I just reject your money.”

His expression was incredulous. “Which is the bedrock of all human wants and needs.”

I turned to the lines of hanging clothes. “I beg to differ.” I said as I scanned through the luxurious looking fabrics.

How the hell was I going to pick out my outfit for Gina’s welcome party? The clothes were so much that I’d probably need the whole day and some of tomorrow to go through them.

“After she’s done choosing, discard the ones she didn’t pick.” Luca said to the staff.

I whipped around so fast I nearly sprained my neck. “Discard? You’re just going to throw it all away?”

Amusement danced in his beautiful grey eyes. “I wouldn’t wear them now will I?”

“But-” I turned back to the dresses. “They are a lot. Can’t you donate them or something.”

Luca’s hands slipped into the pockets of his cotton chinos. He was giving me a wry look. “If you didn’t notice, all of them lean towards your taste in fashion. And no offense but normal women wouldn’t appreciate it.”

“Hey! I have excellent taste.” He was such a consistent jerk.

He gave me that “if you say so” look. “Just pick whatever and leave them to deal with the rest. Can’t have our room looking like Saks Fifth Avenue.”

He faced the staff. “Help her with whatever she needs.”

“Where are you going?” I asked when he turned to leave.

“My office, I’d give you space to get ready.”

I bit my cheek. “You aren’t really going to throw it all away, are you?”

He didn’t answer but kept walking instead.

“I know what this is, you’re trying to manipulate me into keeping them.”

When he looked back at me, he had an expression that said he found me amusing. “It’s not really manipulation if you’re aware of said manipulation.”

When I couldn’t come up with a smarty response, he added, “choose what you want already, bambina. Or we’re going to be late.”

“I’d keep them. I’d keep them all. And I’d sell them on the black market and use the money to buy years supply of burritos.” I rambled like a crazed woman after him just because I was feeling petty and immature.

“Just like I said before, it’s your decision.” He said before closing the door after him.

I whirled to the three women he left me with. “That was definitely manipulation. I know it. What do they call it… aha! The illusion of choice.”

The women were looking at me like I was crazy then surprisingly, their faces warmed into understanding and pity.

The shit men put us women through, it was a universal experience.

We got to work after getting acquainted and we spent the next hour sifting through clothes. Luca was right, they were really my taste and I didn’t know if I wanted to find him and hump him or bolt for the exit at how well he knew my style. They were all my size too, same with the underwear- the man had even included my favourite brand of lacy lingerie for fuck sake.

I was at loss on what to decide on, every piece was appealing. Then I set eyes on a midnight blue crossover wrap dress and I knew it was ‘the’ outfit.

I picked up the asymmetric, knee length dress with a thigh high slit. The material was soft, stretchy and shiny, making it look like it was a piece of a star lit night sky. The neckline was pretty modest enough for a gathering my mother would be present in.

It was sexy but also not doing too much. I couldn’t wait for Luca to see me in it.

“Alright ladies, time to transform me into a goddess. The mission is to wow my manipulator.”

I was ready by the time Luca returned to the bedroom and the look on his handsome face was priceless.

His gaze scanned me from head to toe, taking in the swirly loose knot my curls were in, then my figure in the form fitting dress. His eyes lingered on the slit on my left thigh then dipped to the black stiletto heel boots I’d paired with the dress.

My skin heated at the amazement in his eyes when his gaze returned to mine. I knew he loved how my eyes popped against the dark hue of my dress. I knew he loved how my hairstyle left my slender neck exposed.

“So what do you think?” I asked, doing a little twirl.

His reply came immediately. “That you’re the most beautiful being in the universe.”

I was blushing hard.

He came closer still licking me up with his eyes. “You’re fucking breathtaking. That dress looks so gorgeous on you. So gorgeous that I itch to take it off.”

Every part of me swelled. I inhaled shakily, feeling his words sink down through my skin and settle into my veins.

Eyes shut, he drew in a long controlled breath. “We better leave now or we won’t be able to.”

I caught my lower lip between my teeth, torn between leaving with him or seducing him for a quickie. I took in the hungry look in his expression. He was sure to mess up my hair or even tear off my panties.

Nuh uh. No can do, I wasn’t going to let him ruin the hours of effort my passionate attendants had dedicated. Fiona, the biggest one, had expressly warned me about how easy it was to ruin my two toned lipstick, Eunice had warned me about the few pins holding up my curls and Darla had let me know that my dress would crease at the slightest squeeze.

“Yes, we should.” I said even though the words came out huskily.

Luca grabbed a causal coat from the walk in closet and threw it over his tucked white tee then he took my hand and assisted me downstairs, all the way to the waiting car.

The ride to the Salvatore mansion was an excruciatingly long one and that was because the man kept fondling my hips and legs and doing nothing more. I was wound tight like a spring by the time we arrived.

“Cara!” Gina exclaimed the second we got to the patio.

I received her tight hug with equal passion, genuinely glad to see her again. I didn’t realize I’d missed her this much. “I’m so happy you’re back.” I said when we pulled away.

“Me too.” She looked me over. “You’re stunning.”

I grinned at her. “And so are you sweetie.”

She was no longer the coy, innocent princess. Her appearance was more mature and it leaned towards sexy. She was gorgeous in her lavender off the shoulder midi dress. Dante was one lucky man.

My mother acknowledged I and Luca’s presence with a fake smile and while I returned the gesture to both her and her husband, Luca just glared at her like she was a gum stuck on his shoe.

Fortunately, she didn’t ask why the two of us arrived together or point light to it. Maybe she was forgoing her colossal witch persona just for today.

The rest of the guests arrived and we all settled around the 16-seat patio table that was filled with tasty food and pretty ornamentals. Luca had tried to sit beside me but I chose to sit next to Gina instead. He hadn’t liked that and I could tell from the thin press of his lips and the grinding of his jaw as he sat next to an empty chair instead. I felt sorry but I didn’t want to give my mother more reasons to suspect us.

Small talk ensued around the table as everyone munched away. I entertained myself with Gina’s tales about Rome, loving how her expression matched each story she told.

I occasionally stole glances at Luca only to find him staring right back at me. It made me feel stimulated and hyperventilated at the same time. He might as well hang a sign on his head that said “I’m interested in my stepsister.”

“I hope I am not too late for dinner.”

Every head turned to the direction of this new voice. Valentina stood a few feet from the table, wearing a provocative red dress and jewelry so shiny they were capable of rendering a person blind. She covered the small distance then stopped again, giving me a malicious stare before turning to Gina.

“It’s good to have you back Ginny. You don’t know but Chicago hasn’t felt the same without you.”

I fought a loud snort while Gina blinked at her in puzzlement, probably wondering where all this was coming from.

“Um… thanks.” My stepsister replied.

“What are you doing here?” Luca asked in a voice so hostile it warmed me with deep satisfaction.

“I invited her.” Manuel said out of the blue.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

Luca shot him a dark look. “Why?”

“Just thought to since she would soon be part of the family.”

It was as if I was hit by a hundred and fifty pound boulder.

“Father.” Luca growled in warning at the same time Valentina sank daintily in the empty chair next to him. The seat I’d have been sitting in if I wasn’t restricted by the scandalous nature of our relationship.

“What, son?” Manuel’s expression was also hard. “She’s going to be your donna. I see no issue.”

My fingers tightened around my gold fork. Air, I needed air in my lungs.

Luca’s gaze cut to me, his eyes full of alarm and another thing I suspected to be worry. I looked down at my plate, unable to withstand the pleas in them.

Fooled, I’d been fooled but I’d also been right all along. He’d gone back to Valentina, was going to marry her. Everything I suspected was true but I’d let him feed me lies, let him play with my discernment.

I was the world’s biggest idiot.

“I can’t wait to officially have you as my daughter in-law.” My mother said, adding insult to injury.

I couldn’t take it anymore, I staggered to my feet. “I’m sorry to interrupt but I have to leave for the restroom, stomach problems.” I lied.

Gina was giving me a worried look so I added. “I’d be fine, I promise.” I attempted a smile but it was wobbly.

I needed to get away before I completely break down. Without a second glance at the man who had broken my heart and the woman he chose over me, I darted away from the table and back into the mansion.

Anger and tears, it seemed to be a constant for me whenever I came to this mansion.