Signed To The Mafia King - Chapter 43: Chapter 43

LUCA
I could see that she wanted to say yes.
I could also see that she was confused.
“Dinner? Just for food?”
I nodded. “Just for food.”
The evening was still early. I thought we could visit one of my night clubs after stopping at a restaurant for dinner.
I was in a good mood suddenly. After dealing with Roberto and having all the Uzis sent out successfully, I had received a new order for double the batch we had just sent out.
Alina got out of bed. “I'd like that. Give me a few minutes to change.”
I fell back on the bed, placing my head on my bent elbows. She stood beside the bed, watching me like I was an alien.
She waved her hand to the door. “Get out, Luca. I'm not undressing with you staring at me that way.”
I turned onto my stomach and stretched out on the bed. “Actually you are.”
She glared at me. “Leave.”
“No.” I said. I hadn't even thought about her undressing, but now that she mentioned it, I really wanted to see it.
Alina folded her arms, her eyes narrowing as she realized I wasn’t moving.
“Luca,” she said slowly.
“Yes, cara?” I stretched lazily, making myself more comfortable.
She walked away toward the closet. She looked at me over her shoulders. “Fine. You want to stay? Then stay.”
I smiled against the pillow, watching as she threw open the closet doors and started flipping through her clothes.
She took her time. Way too much time.
She wasn’t even looking for something to wear. She was just standing there, her back straight, her hands moving through her clothes without really touching anything.
I saw what she was doing. She was waiting me out.
Smart. But not smart enough.
I stayed right where I was, arms folded under my head, eyes on her.
A full minute passed.
Then another.
She turned back around, her hands on her hips. “You’re really not leaving?”
I smiled at her all innocent. She looked really stunning when she was pissed, especially with her cheeks pinking up like that. “No.”
She threw up her hands. “Fine! Then I’m not changing.”
I propped myself up on one elbow. “You’re wearing shorts and a tank top.”
“And? You said it was just for food.”
I chuckled. “You’ll get cold.”
She lifted her chin. “I’ll be fine.”
I studied her for a long moment. The way her mouth was set, the way her arms were crossed like she was daring me to argue.
I sighed and pushed myself off the bed.
“Suit yourself,” I muttered, walking toward the door.
She didn’t say a word as I stepped out.
But I didn’t go far.
I leaned against the wall right outside her door, crossing my arms over my chest.
The door opened a moment later.
Alina stepped out, freezing when she saw me still there.
Then she giggled.
It was soft. Barely there. But I heard it.
I looked at her closely, fighting the urge to laugh at the indignant look on her face. “What?”
She shook her head, still smiling. “Nothing.”
She started walking down the hall. I followed.
We left the house, my men falling into step behind us as we got into the car.
They would take a second car and follow us. Alina was tapping her fingers against the limo window.
I didn't say anything either. For once all day, I wasn't feeling angry and furious about everything. I wanted this mood to last at least until I got home.
I had told Marco he wasn't to call me. Whatever happened, he would deal with it.
“When are you sending Sofia back to the UK?” Alina asked suddenly out of nowhere.
I spread my legs and relaxed. “No idea. Whenever my dad wishes to return.”
“Why can't she go alone?” Alina looked at me.
Chicago was dangerous, but at least I could keep my eyes on her. Without father in the UK, it would be difficult to protect her completely.
“She'll be in danger. Better than she be here where I can keep an eye on her.”
“She wants to go back there. She likes it there.”
I knew that already. “I know.”
Alina looked away again. Soon, we reached the restaurant. I stepped out first and opened her door. She stepped out, said thank you and we walked inside together.
We were led to the private booth I had reserved. Alina sat and looked around. “Quite beautiful, I didn't think you'd like a place like this.”
I lifted my brows, handing one of the stacked menus to her. “What? You don't think I have good taste?”
She smiled. “Something like that.”
I rolled my eyes. “Don't make the conversation awkward, Alina.”
She laughed aloud, her blue eyes shining. I liked the sound of her laugh. I cleared my throat and pushed the thought away.
Soon, we ordered and our meal was brought to the table. Alina had ordered a chicken rice dish, I'd gone with well cooked steak. I didn't like blood on my meat. Hell no.
We started eating. I was starting to relax into the food when Alina swallowed down the food in her mouth and met my eyes. “Sofia told me you had a dog once.”
I felt my knife clatter to my plate, my head feeling full suddenly. I took my glass and drank all the water inside down. Sofia had told her about my dog, Bruno?
I clenched my teeth. “That was a long time ago.”
“Oh. Sofia said it died but I've really been thinking about it since. I can't imagine you with a tiny dog like that.”
Bruno had been my mother's gift to me. I'd had him for years. Almost five years before my father killed him when I was eighteen.
I could remember my father's voice as he called me an embarrassment for treating that dog like it was my baby. I had hated my father for months after he took a gun and shot the dog in front of me.
I looked up to find to Alina watching me. I swallowed, shrugging like it was nothing. “Yeah, it was small.”
“What happened?”
I shrugged again. “My father shot it to death.”