Chapter 10: I just claimed you

Alessandro's POV

I arrived at the Palazzo and used the backdoor. My anger is still prominent, and what added to it is the fact that I texted Hazel, and she didn't respond. Well, I ghosted her for a week in the hopes that I would find Matteo, and she would be safe, but I was anxious as to why the text is seen as 'Read' but she didn't reply.

I headed to the grand Ballroom with Luca and my bodyguards; the music stopped, and everyone was looking at me. Something I am used to. My rule is no pictures, meet in person. 

The moment I was pacing through the room in the midst of silence, I heard a laugh and turned. I saw her laughing with Andrea. I wasn't sure what the feeling that engulfed me was, jealousy maybe, but why. I was supposed to be emotionless, but Hazel was introducing these feelings that were strange to my nature. 

The moment our gazes locked, I couldn't help but smile at her. She was mesmerizingly beautiful. Her hair flowed on her back with her satin dress that was hugging her form and accentuated her features modestly but sexily. At that moment, I didn't want anyone to look at her but me; I wanted to taste her lips on mine again, so I walked directly to her, glared at Andrea, who was so close to her face, and grabbed her hand, leading her to an empty room. 

As I closed the door, I let go of her hand and started pacing the room, trying to understand the whirlwind of emotions that I am experiencing. My gaze landed on her face again to see her frowning, confused, surprised. 'Maybe she was feeling the same' I thought. 

In the midst of the heavy silence, she uttered hesitantly, waving her hand at me, "Hi! We... meet again?" I took a deep breath and just closed the distance between us in one step and pinned her to the wall, her hands above her head, and she gasped. My lips crushed into hers. The kiss was deep, and she responded through the clumsiness of her inexperience. I grabbed her waist with my free hand and moved my other to the back of her head, slamming to my chest, tightening my grip, urging her to open her mouth. My tongue went into exploring her sweet mouth. 

"You are so sweet," I muttered between the kisses; she smiled, and our bodies responded to each other in a way I've never felt before. The kiss was long, demanding, sweet; I could never get enough of this.

I slid my hand on the slit of her dress towards her butt when she held it and stopped, pushing me slightly and clearing her throat. I hugged her and whispered to her ear, "Sorry, I got carried away," and then put my forehead on hers while both of us were panting, trying to catch our breaths from the ethereal kiss we just experienced. 

I led her to the couch and sat her on my lap. She didn't protest, but I couldn't help but think she fits perfectly here with me, in my arms. I rested my head on her shoulder, hugging her from behind with her back on my chest. 

"Been a while?" I said. She looked at me still flushed, "Um yeah, been a while..." she paused and added with a questioning tone, "Mr. Lombardi?" 

I moved her a bit and lifted her chin so I could see her face and she could see mine and responded in a soft tone, "it's Ale for you" while gazing at her red lips that I want to devour now. I leaned down and placed a quick kiss and lifted my gaze, locking it with hers. She became crimson red and tried to clear her throat again, "Uhm, I... nice to meet you? I don't know what I should be saying now, to be honest..." she paused before she continued nervously, "um... Can I ask a question?" 

I kept gazing at her in amusement, watching her nervous actions, and raised my brows all attentively and nodded for her to continue. She kept quiet, studying my face before she uttered, "Are you... part of..." she whispered the last part, "The Italian mafia?" I couldn't help but chuckle. This woman is in my arms asking me this question, the least I expected. She looked at me and added, " I mean, I don't mind it... It's your life... I was just curious...". I nodded to her, and her eyes lit up, making me amused. 

Long gone, the woman who was nervous to ask now, and her expressions changed to excitement. 

I watched her with an amused look, wondering what was going on in her little mind. She then sat straight, holding my arm and said, " So, do you guys do the illegal stuff, laundering money, overpowering the police and stuff, just like the movies?" 

"Well, not really, the Lombardis have legitimate businesses too; we are not engaged in just illegal stuff, you know," I responded, still my gaze fixated on her eyes. Looking at her as she was processing information before she asks, " So... you are a businessman but a criminal at the same time. everyone knows, yet no one dares to question," she clasped her hand coming to her conclusion proudly. 

I couldn't help myself and laugh; I felt like I was with a 5-year-old trying to explain how the mafia works while she was all excited and curious about it. 

I paused and then asked, " So, you are not afraid?" she shook her head "Oh hell no... my dream was to meet with a mafia lord so I can ask my questions. I always wondered if the movies really project what was happening in the mafia rings. Plus, I always appreciated their work ethics. They are so dedicated to their brotherhood. Yes, they are doing things illegally and stuff, but I like their no women no children rule. It's amazing, right?" 

" Not all the mafia rings have the no women no children rule," I stated as a matter of fact. 

She formed an O with her mouth before she stiffened as if she realized something and looked at me. I wanted to tease her but I refrained from sensing her discomfort. I added, " The Lombardis have that rule... No harm for women and children," she released a sigh and smiled and then what she did next surprised me. 

She cupped my face and pecked my cheek and said, " I knew it, you are one of the good guys" . 

I wanted to correct her that I'm not as good as she thinks I am with all the blood on my hands but stopped myself. I held her up so we could stand and wrapped my arms around her from behind in a tight hug.

 "We need to go back to the party because I won't be controlling myself if we stay in this room alone any longer." She flushed deep red and nodded.

I held her hand in mine and before we walked out of the door, leaned and whispered to her ear, "By the way, You are mine now, I just claimed you," to which she responded with a surprised and confused expression. Before she asked anything else, I smiled and led her back to the grand ballroom.