Chapter 2 - Charming Uncle

Alessandro

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I grabbed my phone and called my driver, “Change of plans,” I said, jaw tight. “Switch out the champagne for… I don’t know. Juice. Something kid-friendly.”

“Yes, Boss, anything else?” he asked.

“And make sure everything is… appropriate in the back,” I cut the call before he could respond.

What the hell was I doing? My pulse kicked up, an ache right behind my temples. I was taking a little girl along on a night I’d planned for her aunt?

And the plans I’d had for her aunt weren’t exactly kids-friendly. I’d planned to fuck her in the backseat of the limo, while my driver drove through the city lights.

The image played out in my mind: her breathless under me, our world reduced to that dark leather seat, her only focus on me. But with this little change of plans? Guess I’d have to wait.

I had made space for Viviane’s niece like it was the most natural thing in the world. Couldn’t even pretend this wasn’t my idea because it was.

The kid wasn’t just some extra luggage she’d brought along; I’d suggested it, wanted it, as if her presence meant something, as if I was trying to… I don't know what the fuck was I doing.

The memory of Viviane looking at me with that small, grateful smile? That did more to me than any look she’d ever given me in bed and that didn’t fit in any box I’d ever known.

A moment later, Viviane came back into view with Felicity by her side. The little one now wore a pink floral dress, her hair neatly combed, holding Viviane’s hand. And as much as I wanted to pull Viviane close and kiss her right then and there, I walked over to Felicity, extending a hand, “Shall we, my lady?”

Felicity’s eyes sparkled as she giggled, “We shall.”

Felicity took my hand, her tiny fingers curling around mine. Viviane’s hazel eyes softened, her lips curving into a small smile as she watched us.

When she saw me staring at her, she looked away, but I caught the faint blush rising on her cheeks.

I walked ahead with her niece, treating her like I'd treat Aurora and Anastasia. Viviane followed with a smile that told me that Viviane Kane wasn't as immune to my charm as she pretended to be.

So much for doing casual...

As we stepped outside, I watched Felicity’s eyes go wide the second she spotted the black limo parked along the curb. She squealed, looking up at me with a grin that was pure delight, like she’d just won the jackpot.

“That’s yours?” she asked, bouncing on her toes.

“Yeah,” I replied, smiling as I opened the door with a small bow, gesturing for her to step in.

She didn’t need to be told twice, practically jumped into the backseat.

I turned, catching Viviane’s gaze. She gave me this half-surprised, half-amused look, eyebrow raised, “Didn’t know you could be this nice to kids.”

I took a step closer to her, “What, you think I’m all cold-hearted?” I lowered my voice, leaning in. “I’ve got a whole army of nieces and nephews, Freckles. I know how to be the charming Uncle with children.” I paused, giving her a once-over, before I reached out, grabbing her by the neckline of her dress, yanking her close.

Her breath caught just before I pressed my lips to hers. I could feel her surprise melt into a low hum, her fingers gripping my arms. I pulled back, “Now get in,” I said, nudging her toward the limo with a slap on her ass as she stumbled forward, shooting me an indignant look over her shoulder that only made me want her more.

Viviane slid into the leather seat across from Felicity. I climbed in and shut the door behind us, sitting beside Freckles. My arm going around her once more.

Felicity was practically bouncing in her seat as she scanned the interior, her eyes landing on the small bar just beside us. “You have a bar in your car?” she gasped, eyes huge.

I pressed a button to retract it, hiding the liquor stash from view. “That’s not for children,” I said, giving her a wink.

She pouted, but Viviane gave me a sidelong look, amused, and I could tell she was holding back a laugh.

A knock on the window drew my attention, and one of my men handed me a bottle of orange juice. I took it with a nod, poured the juice into three flute glasses from the set in the back compartment, and passed one to Viviane.

She accepted it with a skeptical look on her face, “Orange juice in champagne flutes? How very considerate of you.”

“Trust me,” I said, “If you weren’t here to keep me in line, I’d have given your niece the real thing.”

I passed the third glass to Felicity, who was practically vibrating with excitement, her fingers wrapped around the flute like she was holding something magical. “I get to drink this like a grown-up?” she asked, lifting her glass up high.

“Tonight, you’re the guest of honor,” I replied, raising my glass to her and then clinking it lightly against hers.

We all took a sip, and I couldn’t help but steal another glance at Viviane over the rim of my glass.

There was a certain glow to her tonight, a softness that maybe only Felicity got to see. I wanted more of it, more of her, even though I knew she wasn’t one to let people in so easily. But I could see the cracks, the way her walls slipped for just a second when she thought no one was looking.

“So, where are we going?” Felicity asked.

“You’ll see soon enough,” I said, “But don’t worry. I only bring my favorite girls to the best places.”

I gripped Viviane's waist harder, making her try to shift away from me but I held her in place.

The limo pulled up to the restaurant, one of the finest in the city, and my chauffeur opened the door for us. I stepped out first, extending a hand to Felicity, then Viviane, helping them both out.

Felicity skipped ahead, and I seized the moment, pulling Viviane close and stealing another kiss from her red lips, catching her off guard.

Fuck, she smelled like heaven... warm, with hints of something sweet that made me want to bury my face in her neck, forget about the restaurant, and focus on her.

She shifted slightly, giving me a playful side-eye, but I kept her right there, not letting her move an inch. She had no idea how hard it was not to kiss her senseless right here, right now.

I let my hand drift just a little lower on Viviane's waist as we moved toward the entrance.

A waiter approached, giving me a nod of recognition before leading us to a private booth I’d reserved ahead of time.

I made Viviane sit next to me as Felicity sat opposite us. Her gaze darting over every inch of the restaurant. "I’ve never been anywhere this fancy,” she whispered to Viviane, her face lit up with awe.

A server appeared with the menus, and I wasted no time ordering a bottle of sparkling water and a round of appetizers for the table, while Felicity fidgeted in her seat, looking at me with curious eyes.

Dinner started off well enough, but the second the food arrived, Felicity's excitement vanished fast. She poked at the caviar, made a face at the rare meats, and finally looked up at me with a look of pure betrayal. As if I had disappointed her immensely.

“This... this is old people’s food,” she muttered, loud enough that Viviane choked back a laugh, trying to keep a straight face.

“Just try it,” Viviane urged, but even she didn’t look entirely convinced.

I leaned back, amused, watching Felicity prod the food like it was some alien life form she’d been forced to investigate. My arm rested along the back of Viviane’s chair, my fingers twirling a strand of her hair mindlessly. After a few half-hearted pokes, Felicity finally gave up, pushing the plate away with a dramatic sigh and looking up at me, cringing, “Do you actually like this stuff?”

I let out a low laugh, “I do,” I admitted, shooting a glance at Viviane. “I figured it might impress you, Felicity, but clearly I miscalculated.”

Viviane shot her a look, eyebrow raised. “Felicity, be polite and eat your food.”

Felicity groaned, dropping her head dramatically. “But I don't like it.”

I held Viviane's hand that rested over the table, “You know, Felicity, I’m with you on this one. Food’s no good if you’re just forcing it down.”

Viviane shot me a sharp look, “Don't encourage her.”

I leaned forward, dropping my voice to a whisper. “I know a place that serves actual food—none of this ‘old people’ stuff. Want to make an escape?”

Felicity glanced at Viviane sheepishly and then back at me, before she nodded, “Yes.”

I didn’t need to be asked twice. We left the restaurant behind, and I drove them straight into the heart of Little Italy, the neighborhood alive with our men and their families.

When we finally pulled up in front of one of Cosa Nostra’s pizzerias, and I noticed Viviane’s brows raise, her eyes darted everywhere as if I had bought her into the enemy's territory.

As soon as we stepped inside the small pizzeria, all hell broke loose. It was like I’d dropped a grenade in the place. The men looked up, and then someone shouted from the back of the room, “Holy hell, Alessandro’s brought a girl!”

The whole place erupted. Whistles, hoots, laughter—I heard it all. Men slapped each other’s backs, leaning in to see who’d managed to steal a bit of my time, like I was some untouchable saint finally descending from his high throne.

“Did you lose a bet, Sandro?” one of the men yelled.

I held Viviane’s waist, steering her through the crowd of men, and didn’t even bother to hide the smile that tugged at my lips. “Calm down,” I drawled, “You guys act like you’ve never seen a woman in your lives.”

One of the younger guys, Silvano, gave a low whistle, looking at Viviane and then Felicity like they were a miracle. “She must be special if Alessandro’s bringing her here.”

Viviane couldn’t hold back her smile. Felicity, on the other hand, looked like she’d just walked into a prison. She clung to her aunt as if the guys would eat her alive.

We slid into a booth near the back, and I gestured for Zeno to get here, the manager. “Three slices,” I called out, giving him a nod. “Extra cheese on all of them.”

Zeno grinned, disappearing into the back while the rest of the guys tried not to stare too hard. Felicity looked around, scared, and leaned over to Viviane. “These people know Alessandro?” she whispered, clearly confused that I was part of them.

Viviane probably had no idea, but tonight was my first date. I’d never taken a girl out before, so naturally, the guys were having a field day over it. Their reaction was predictable, but that didn’t stop them from milking every second.

Zeno, himself, came out from the back carrying the pizza. He set the steaming slices in front of us, grinning ear to ear. “On the house for Sandro and his ladies,” he said with a dramatic flourish. “First time in, what... a century that Mr. Alessandro Costello brings a date around?”

I rolled my eyes, gesturing for him to leave the pizza and not push his luck.

“Alright, ladies,” Silvano said, setting down drinks and leaning on the table, “you’re our boss's special guests, so you’re basically royalty in here. But I gotta know—what do you two do and how do you know him?”

Viviane took a sip of her drink, giving a slight smile, “I work for Alessandro and this is my niece.”

After we ate, the guys dragged out an old beer pong table they kept in the back room. They basically bullied Viviane to play with them. She had that competitive streak in her, and it was clear this crowd brought it out. I watched as she lined up the first shot, the guys teasing her about her “office job,” and she nailed it, hitting the cup dead-on.

The room broke into cheers. Viviane smirked, sending me a quick, triumphant look that made me laugh.

Eventually, Viviane joined us, her cheeks flushed, her hair a little wild from the fun, “Well, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you smile this much,” I said to her, leaning close enough that my words were just for her.

“Don’t get used to it,” she replied.

The laugh faded from Viviane’s face as her eyes landed on Felicity, I followed her line of sight and saw Felicity slumped over the table, her skin had suddenly turned a sickly shade. Her lips were pale, breaths shallow.

Viviane shot up from her seat, the scrape of her chair echoed, “Fliss,” she whispered, “Hey, are you okay?”

Felicity managed a weak nod, but her words came out in a strained whisper. “Just... tired.”

Viviane’s gaze darted to me, eyes pleading. “We’re taking her home. Now.”

I looked down at Felicity, frowning, but inside, something twisted. Watching her that way—frail and pale—felt wrong. She was barely holding herself up, I couldn't believe she was the same little girl I had brought on a date a few hours ago.

Without another word, I rose, and Viviane scooped up her niece in her arms, the girl’s head lolling against her shoulder. Freckles nodded at me, already moving towards the door and I followed.