The red haired woman looked at me from behind the door. Jaxon turned with a look of confusion on his face until he saw me. When his eyes met mine, they widened and filled with dread.
“Sorry, I-uh- wrong hall, I guess.” I stuttered and began walking back in the direction I came quickly.
“Lyla!” He called behind me.
I quickened my pace, trying to get away from him as tears ran down my face.
How could he? And right after I got my father's approval.
My tears fell faster by the moment. I felt his hand grab my waist and I ripped myself from his grip.
“Do. Not. Touch. Me.” I ground out through clenched teeth.
“Lyla, please. Let me explain,” he pleaded.
“There is nothing to explain.” I walked away from him again and I felt him trail behind me from a distance.
I finally found my way back to the hallway my room is in. As I made my way to my room, I could still feel Jaxon's eyes on me. Suddenly, Lance rounded the corner and caught a glimpse of my face. I pulled my head down but grabbed his hand and pulled him into my room. I closed the door behind us and locked it.
Jaxon began banging on the door. “Lyla, please.”
Lance looked at me and I shook my head at him through tear filled eyes.
The banging stopped after a few minutes and I assumed he left. I plopped down on the bed, sobs taking over my body. Wrapping my arms around my knees, I dropped my head onto them.
“Hey, come here,” Lance said softly as he sat next to me. He grabbed my arms and pulled me to him. He hugged me tightly as I cried into his shirt. I slowly got control over my body and made myself stop crying.
“What happened?” He asked.
“I went looking for Jaxon. I had good news. Great news. I walked down the other hallway containing the other bedrooms trying to find his. Right as I walked around the corner, he walked out of another woman's room. He was buttoning his shirt and she only had a bra and panties on.” Tears began streaking my face again.
“Lyla,” he whispered. He wiped my tears from my eyes. I looked up at him and smiled sadly.
“I'll be okay. Go get some sleep.”
“Do you want me to stay with you?”
“It'd be better if you didn't. I'd cry more. Maybe alone I can tune it out.” I knew I was lying but I couldn't stand for him to see me so weak.
He nodded and stood. He leaned down and pressed a kiss to my forehead. As he pulled away, he searched my eyes.
“My room is down that other hall if you need me. I'll put a sticky note on my door so you know which one is mine.”
I nodded. He walked out of my room. As he opened the door, I made eye contact with Jaxon who was sitting on the floor. His head was in his hands, his knees pulled up to his chest. He looked up right as the door opened. His eyes were bloodshot, like he'd been crying. I held my mouth as a sob wracked my body again. He stood but Lance stopped him by locking the door behind himself as he closed it.
The knob rattled and I heard Jaxon begin cussing. I fell back onto the bed and pulled a pillow to my stomach, clutching it like my life depended on it.
I cried for a very long time that night. I wanted to go find Lance but I was afraid that Jaxon may be sitting outside of my bedroom door, waiting.
I woke the next morning with a start. There was banging on the door and the knob rattled.
“Lyla!” I heard Niccolai call.
“Hang on!” I yelled back. I jumped out of bed quickly and ran to the door. I peeked our around Niccolai to make sure Jaxon was gone.
“I sent him away.”
“Thank you,” I said.
“Get ready,” he stated. “I'm getting you out of here today.”
I smiled at him. “I'll be out in twenty.”
“Meet me at the front door.” He winked as he walked away.
I quickly jumped in the shower and washed my dried tears off. I opted for no makeup as I threw on a T-shirt and leggings.
“Good enough?” I asked as I walked toward Niccolai.
He smiled and nodded. His smile quickly fell into a scowl as he looked behind me.
I turned and there he stood. He looked awful but still so beautiful at the same time. My heart clenched. His hair was a mess, he had dark circles under his eyes and he was still wearing the clothes from last night.
Good. He deserves it.
“Let's go,” my cousin said behind me. I turned and followed him out of the front door. We walked to a red BMW sitting in the drive.
“Where are you taking me?”
“Shopping spree,” he smiled.
“Oh yeah,” I grumbled. “The ball. I hate shopping so let's get this over with.”
“Me too but I'm doing it for you.”
I smiled gratefully at him as we slid into the car. He revved the engine and smiled mischievously over at me.
“Take it easy, Nascar.”
He laughed as he tore out of the drive. “I forget how American you are.”
I looked at the street signs as we drove.
“Where are we Niccolai?”
“Italy, my dear.”
Whoa.
I've always dreamed of coming here.
We quickly made our way to a giant strip mall. I glanced over the stores. Louis Vuitton. Gucci. Chanel. Ralph Lauren.
“Nice, why such luxurious stores?”
“We can't have the mob bosses daughter dressed like a commoner can we?” He smiled and flashed his Rolex.
“I quite like being a commoner,” I huffed.
He laughed. “I'm joking. We just have to get you some nice stuff for events like the one we are hosting tonight. I'm glad your father decided to throw the ball. It's about time that his allies knew about you. I was tired of having to always pretend I had no family other than my father and uncle. I get to flaunt you around now, my new family.” He grinned widely at me and threw an arm over my shoulder. I smiled up at him. My mood soured as I thought about my mother and Stephano.
“That puts me in more danger, doesn't it?”
“No. These guys wouldn't dare lay a finger on you. They've seen your father's rage in action.”
I nodded and looked away. I have never seen my father be anything but kind. He's actually quite soft. I followed Niccolai into a store. Inside, the most beautiful gowns hung from the racks.
“Oh my,” I whispered.
“Hello again Niccolai.” An elderly woman approached us. She looked at me. “Well hello dear. You must be Lyla. Your father told me so much about you. My name is Eloise.”
I smiled at her. “It's nice to meet you Eloise. I don't know what I'm looking for here so I hope you can be of some assistance.”
“Well I have a few I already picked out for you to try on.”
“Great,” I smiled at her gratefully. There was no way in hell I was going to look through all these racks. She pulled us to the back of the store. She had four gowns hanging on the rack next to the dressing room.
The champagne colored one caught my eye quickly. I decided I would try that on last. The other three were black, red and midnight blue.
“Wow,” I whispered. I grabbed the black one off the rack.
I quickly walked into the room. I pulled the dress on but had to call for Eloise to help me zip it. I walked out onto the platform and looked at Niccolai.
He whistled. “Whoa, you look great!” I smiled at him and turned.
I gasped at my reflection. The black dress hugged my body tightly, accentuating my curves. Eloise clapped her hands, giddy as a schoolgirl. I made my way back down. I tried the other two on, both receiving the same reactions.
As I grabbed the champagne dress, I felt a thrill of excitement. When I walked out of the room, Niccolai's mouth fell open.
I turned and I couldn't breathe. The contrast between the creamy color and my tan skin made me look more beautiful than I had ever felt before. The neckline plunged just enough to show off my breasts in a sexy manner. It also hugged my body tightly but began to flow just below my butt.
“We'll take them all, Eloise. Thank you.” I smiled at my reflection in the mirror. This trip did make me feel better.
After we purchased the dresses, we ran through a couple other shops buying shoes and accessories to go with the dresses. I smiled at Niccolai when we pulled into the driveway.
“Thank you for today.”
He leaned over and kissed my cheek. “Anything for my cousin. It feels good to have family.”
I smiled at him and got out of the car, heading into the house with my bags. I plopped down on my bed with a smile on my face.
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The Bodyguard of the Mafia boss's daughter (part 21/32)