Chapter- [ 6 ]

[ Alessandro De Niro  ]

"Mr. De Niro,here is the file you asked for.It contains all personal informations about Miss Aitana Grayson."Chase,my best friend slide a file in front of us.

I couldn't sleep for the whole night thinking about Aitana,she was a mere pawn in her father's sick game but the innocent girl thought one day her father would accept her as his heir,well it's next to impossible in our world to see a women ruling over men.Women are only trained to protect themselves in the case of an emergency or an attack.

"Seriously Stefano! We are really thinking about his offer.The man is a pathetic leech. "I pressed my throbbing temples.

"I won't let him go easily if you do not want me to kill his family.He intended to kill you Aless.No one dare to touch a hair on my family members' body and he..."Stefano breathed in to control his anger, "Just look at you."He pointed at my bruised face and wrists.

"Still marrying his daughter isn't possible for me.I am not ready for it brother."I said in a calmed voice.

"Come on Aless,how much more time you need.You will turn twenty nine in one week and the only De Niro who isn't tied and have kids at your age even your sister is expecting her third child so Stefano."Adam chimed.

"Shut up Adam.I can't stand her sight.She is a ticking bomb and I definitely not see her as a compatible life partner.If you want me to marry at this age then I expect some sincerity in my future wife which Aitana lacks.She is a spoiled princess."I made my point clear and prayed Stefano would consider my happiness before coming to a decision.

"Read the file Aless."Stefano slide the file in my direction after reading it and gestured me to open the file and read the contents to all.

"You won't let me live at peace,will you?"I rolled my eyes and opened the folder.

My eyes skimmed on the informations that Chase gathered in less than twelve hours.

Name- Aitana Isabelle Grayson.

Born- 27 August, 1997 ( 25 years )

Parents- Liam and Amanda Grayson.

Education- Masters' in the botanical science.

It caught my attention.She was a very educated woman then what was doing in her father's shit.Shaking my thoughts aside,I continued reading.

Hobbies- Painting and gardening.

Language- English (mother tongue),Spanish,French,Mandarin ,Greek and Sanskrit and Russian.

It was more interesting.She had knowledge of seven language in which two were very ancient.

"She can't understand Italian."I scoffed.

"She is a quick learner.She can learn it for the family if she want."Chase said only to receive a glare from me.

I flipped over the pages to read more details about her later childhood and teenage years.I found nothing unusual.She had been single.

With our line of work,I never wanted to get married and the heartbreak I faced only cemented my determination to keep my distance from women.

"Why are we doing this?"I closed the file and faced Stefano.

"To save the girl from the sick plan of her father.Liam has been in a secret negotiation with Dimitri Starcov,if we turn down his offer,he will sell her off to Dmitri in marriage to secure their alliance against me.We can not breach the peace treaty with the Russians.At least not in the next few years.Think about her life, Dmitri is a monster in a man's disguise.I am certain that he'll share her with his men for their sick pleasure and if you marry her,we'll secure our position in America."Stefano finished with a reason.

My thoughts again drifted off to Aitana.The girl didn't deserve to be bethroned to Dmitri whose name alone sent shivers rum down anyone's spine though he wasn't as powerful as us but we couldn't ignore him either.

The wheels inside my head swing trying to contemplate Stefano's preposition.Her life will be destroyed if I reject Liam's offer but if I accept ,my own life will be over.

"Liam is calling."Adam placed Stefano's phone on the table.

"Put it on speaker."Stefano ordered.

Adam nodded his head silently and put the phone on speaker so we all could listen him.

"Good morning Mr. De Niro.I hope you have made your mind by now so,may I know what have you decided?"Liam said in a sugar-coated voice.

"The marriage will take place in three days at our residence in Sicily.We'll discuss the terms of our agreement there as my presence is needed in my home."Stefano said.

I closed my eyes to let the pain pass through my heart.My brother took this decision for me despite knowing my concerns.

"Are you serious Mr. De Niro?Sorry for my stupidity but it's your yes?I can't believe my daughter will marry the prince of De Niro family. "

I could imagine him grinning like a cheshire cat.He hit the jackpot by tagging his daughter around my neck.

"See you and your family in the Italy."Said Stefano and disconnected the call.

"I am not leaving my business here.I told you,thats not my place anymore.I thought you respect my decision but.."I stood up on my feet preparing to leave the house to get some fresh air.

"We are not asking you to come back home forever.Your life will be here as the next American Mafia boss.You can not run away from your true identity forever.We all knew that sooner or later,you must come back and it's the time."Adam,for the first time in last three years spoke from Stefano's side.

"We are not asking you to come with us today.If you want,you may come directly over the alter."Stefano said,"But you'll be getting married to Aitana.Its your Capo's order."

I didn't wait for another second and dashed out of the house to get away from everything.

"Stop Aless! "

Chase called out my name trailing behind me but I didn't pay any heed to him.

"I said stop being a child Aless.Your brother did what he thinks is best for you."He said matching my pace.

"Not you Chase.I do not want to listen a word about Aitana or the fucking Graysons.I am now cursing myself for saving her.Fuck ! I shouldn't have gone there."I banged my fist on a tree.

"Alessandro please don't hurt yourself.You knew that this day would come but you aren't prepared,right ?"He helped me to sit on the bench .

"I can't lie under God's watch."I pinched my nose trying to calm down my uneven breathing. I couldn't decipher the mixture of emotions surging through me.

"Then simply go for a court marriage and who is saying you have to lie in a church.You can promise her your loyalty and I know you'll die a virgin but you'd never touch another woman if Aitana wears your ring."He said.

"And love?"I glanced at him mockingly.

"Love finds it's own way.You can't stop falling for her if your heart will be ready to accept her.Think about the innocent girl.The bastard won't sit quite and send her to Moscow with the next flight.Will you leave at peace if you learn that Dimitri and his men did worse things with her?"

His words compelled me to ponder over Aitana who would suffer the worst consequences but with me,she'd have her own life.

Few minutes passed,I heard him say,"I am the best man,right?"He asked with an arched brow.

"I am not in a mood to joke, Chase.This isn't funny."I snapped at him and stood up to leave.

"Now where are you going?"He asked following behind me.

"To buy a ring for her.Stefano just texted me to select an engagement and wedding ring.The engagement ring will be sent to Liam's house as our consent for the marriage ."I told him while moving in the garage to get my car.

"Well she is very hot and beautiful."He said and my Italian blood riled up.

"Watch your words Chase.She is bethroned to me."I threatened him pointing my finger at him only to receive a mischievous smirk on his face.

"I told you love finds it's way."He teased me,ignoring him ,I hopped inside my car and drove out of my house to buy the rings which will be the epitome of my sacrifice on the name of saving our family's name.

Everything else will be taken care by the wedding planners.All I basically have to do,other than buying the rings,show up at the wedding on the time.

I have to go back where I must encounter the woman who stole my heart years ago.