44. A Thanksgiving (Part 8)

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Francesco was aware how Arturo was intimidating Adele. He squeezed Adele's waist as he had his arm around her and spoke as he looked into his eyes with an intense gaze " I could not agree more Arturo. A man who can not fight for his woman, deserves to stay single. Right? I look out for my woman too. I do mind the lustful stares at my woman just as much as I mind, threatening looks. So we are on the same page."

Adele felt the tension in the air. Arturo nodded with a serious expression and raised his glass of wine "I drink to your words." He then took a sip and stared at Francesco with an emotionless expression in silence and Francesco stared back with his most intimidating stare that he reserved for when he was in business mode. Francesco spoke in a cold tone " I am glad you are drinking the wine from my winery. You are always the picky one with the wine. May I offer you some vodka from my cellar if you don't like the wine."

Arturo spoke "I am picky with my wine. But I drink yours. Rosarios are good in this industry. But of course I would like to invite you to come to Milan to my family home to consume the finest wines made by my father's winery. No wine tastes the same as the red grapes of the land that belongs to my father's winery."

Francesco spoke "You mean, your winery. Come on. Your old man is pleading to you to let him retire. What's with your refusal to take over and delaying the inevitable."

Arturo spoke " I am unofficially running my father's business right now as you know. Its just my initiation that has been delayed. Actually, I think waiting has come to an end now. I have made some lengthy trips to New York and back to talk with allies and make alliances in addition to trying to of course convince a special woman to come back with me to Italy..... Now it is time to take over officially. I would send your invitation in the post by the way. I really would like it if you can come to my family home with your fiancé to pay respects to me just like how I did for you a while back when you were initiated as the head of your family business."

Francesco spoke " Invitation accepted."

Arturo spoke "Charming. I will make arrangements for your stay. Its perfectly safe and secure in our territories."

Francesco spoke "I know. Your territories are now official no go zones. by outsiders. I would have no problem accepting your invitations at any time....."

Right at that moment, Antonio walked down the stairs and the sound of his foot steps made Francesco turn "Antonio, accompany Adele to the party room and introduce her to our guests while I quickly deal with some matter in my office. I wont be long."

Antonio walked to stand next to Adele and nodded respectfully "Yes boss..."

Arturo spoke "Francesco, could you show me your vodka collection quickly while we are here."

Francesco sighed and turned to Adele "I will be quick sweetheart." he then kissed her forehead and turned to Arturo." "Very well, follow me." He then walked away and Arturo nodded respectfully to Adele "I will see you very shortly Ma'am." He then followed Francesco.

Adele looked on as they walked away. Antonio looked at Adele "Let's go .... Are you alright? You look a bit concerned."

Adele turned to Antonio "No. I am fine... It's just that he is very intimidating."

Antonio spoke in a hushed tone that only Adele could hear as he was looking around making sure guards weren't at ear shot "Of course he is. He is a dangerous criminal. His own sister fears him. He is the only son in his family and was trained like us from a very young age. His family is one of the most influential and most dangerous families in Italy. You cross an Augustini, you will be hunted day and night in every city in Italy not only by the Augutinis but also by their allies. The same goes with us in the states but we don't have that influence in Italy. Never mind. You wouldn't see him for long. He is going back to Italy in the next few days. He is going back with Anna."

Adele spoke " Really? So soon.... She is moving out?"

Antonio spoke " She is going to meet Arturo's parents. Then she would come back. She won't move to Italy until they get married. But there is a reason she is going to Italy so soon. She lost a bet in archery to Arturo over obeying him for a week. Then she lost to him in golf. She was playing over a bet to free herself from the lost bet or obeying him for a month. She lost again. Arturo is making the most of it now taking her to see his parents when Anna is well behaved. She can be quite sarcastic at times. Lucky for Arturo, she has lost the bet and she won't be disrespectful to his father or won't pull any stunts. Arturo's father is still in charge. If Arturo can't get himself a girl and Anna is difficult with him then Arturo would have an arranged marriage to Amaranta Voltolini, Ambrogio's sister. Costanzo loves Amaranta actually. They go way back. He met her before Sancia and Elize messed with him. If Anna doesn't solve her issues with Arturo, then Costanzo would miss out. One life changes, that would set everything in motion to change another life."

Adele spoke " This is so saddening. Why does anyone's life have to change? I hope both Anna and Costanzo get together with the one they truly love...."

Antonio spoke " The good news is that Francesco is on Costanzo's side this time. At least for business reasons. A reunion between Anna and Arturo would mean, Voltolinis won't be a threat any more. It would mean the Augustinis would fight for us just like they would for one of their own on Italian soil. Also Amaranta is a safe option in Francesco's eyes. Anna loves Arturo. She just needs to make some compromises. The one you should feel sorry for is Costanzo who has had lost the love of women he loved twice too many."

Adele breathed " I wish I could help Costanzo."

Antonio spoke " You already have. Yesterday apparently you told Francesco that you feel there are not enough people around this thanksgiving. Its hard to find anyone to invite at this time. Everyone is at their home. So he ordered Amaranta and Alessio to also join the party. They are Voltolini hostages. The guards watch them closely but still, Francesco would never have done that if you hadn't said it. Anyways lets go inside. I will introduce you to everyone."

Adele followed Antonio to the party room. Adele gasped at the beautiful decorations and the well organised party. There were two separate long tables at each side. One contained a variety of bread, cheese and olives. At the other side, there were countless bottles of wine with wine glasses. In the far end there was a stage and music by united dreamers was being played. And of course the guests were laughing and mingling from one table to another tasting the cheese and wine.

Antonio pointed at different people as he introduce them to Adele as they were standing at the door " That is Georgio and his fiancé Flora. That is Alessio and his sister Amaranta standing next to Costanzo. Anna and Georgina are of course dancing in the middle away from their men." He then narrowed his eyes "Arturo is very jealous. I keep him busy somehow on his way while you convince Anna to settle in one place and stop dancing in front of unmarried men.

Adele couldn't help but laugh " Don't be ridiculous Antonio. There is nothing wrong with dancing. Maybe Arturo must learn to accept that it's not upto him if Anna dances ...." Then she froze as she saw how Anna was moving her hips. She blushed " Oh dear.,."

Antonio spoke " See... I told you. Any dance is fine except the kind of dance Anna is doing to spite Arturo."

Adele spoke " What is Anna doing? Where did she learn to dance so...."

Antonio spoke " So provoking."

Suddenly Antonio and Adele saw non other than Arturo walking past them. He had returned suddenly. He walked to Anna with murderous eyes like a predator finding its prey.

Georgina stopped dancing and spoke " Look Anna. Stop."

Anna looked around and then shrugged " Why stop?" Then she saw Arturo coming her way and stopped.

Arturo stopped in front of Anna and whispered " May I have a word.. Outside?"

Anna spoke " You may. But dance with me first."

Arturo was towering over Anna as he was giving her an intimidating look. He said " I insist." He then leaned closed to Anna only for her to hear " Come now or I will carry you."

Anna sighed " Fine. Lets go."

But then Alessio walked in front of Arturo "Hello Augostini. Its been a while?"

Arturo turned to him "Get out of my sight Voltolini. Go tell your brother to back off from my cousin and you back off my sister. When I take over, I end this long distance romance that your father is trying to force on my family. I don't want to have a word with your kind."

Alessio narrowed his eyes "My kind? What does that supposed to mean? It has nothing to do with me. My father and your father want to have this arrangement. I have nothing to do with it. I want Amaranta to marry Costanzo so you wont be obliged to marry my sister...."

Arturo raised an eyebrow "Costanzo and your sister?" He then glanced at Amaranta and Costanzo. He spoke "Interesting pairing but I think they are doomed. It wont happen." He then turned to Anna "Lets go." He pulled her hand and walked quickly towards the door.

Anna spoke "Arturo, what did you mean when you said Amaranta and Costanzo are doomed?"

Arturo didn't reply and continued to walk quickly.

Anna stopped walking as they entered the corridor "Arturo, I asked you a question."

Arturo stopped and looked forward "Carry on walking or I will carry you." He then continued walking and ignored Anna's protests as she followed.

Anna kept complaining "Why cant you treat me like an equal? You keep wondering why I never marry you."

Arturo spoke "You are not my real equal. I will be the head of my household and you will be my wife." He then opened the game room door under the watchful eyes of the guards and dragged Anna inside. He let go of her hand and closed the door. He then turned to Anna. Just then he saw Anna's hand coming his way and felt a sharp sting on his cheek. But he grabbed her arm as she retreated her hand and just stared at Anna with fury "Do you know what this means?"

Anna spoke "I do. Go ahead and tell Francesco that I disrespected an Augostini so he can punish me in front of you."

Arturo shook his head with disapproval "Why would I do that?" He then dragged Anna to the wall and cornered her. He put his hands on her arms pinning her to the wall and kept a distance of a few inches between them, but he didn't handle her with too much force. Anna was surprised how gentle Arturo was with her. He was a monster in the boxing ring. He was known to break his enemies bones when he tortured them. He was known to be even more extreme in torturing his victims compared to the Rosarios. That was why the Augostinis were feared even more than the Rosarios.

Arturo was staring deeply into Anna's eyes "You are so beautiful........ I want you to be in my arms so no one can touch you.... I don't want anyone to look at you when you dance like that.... What were you thinking?"

Anna couldn't help but burst out in a fit of laughter even though Arturo looked too serious and she knew she was in trouble.

Arturo gritted his teeth "Are you mocking me? I may not complain to Francesco but ...." He then leaned close to Anna so that his lips were almost touching hers. He looked into her eyes as he spoke earnestly " But I would surely punish you right here, right now if you don't explain yourself."

Anna stopped laughing and took a deep breath and was slightly shaking from the closeness or rather the excitement from his words. If Arturo said those words to anyone else, they must have ran for their lives but Anna knew that wasn't what it meant for her. She was the special woman in his life. Arturo was cruel to the world but was different to her. He wasn't gentle with her but not too tough either.

Anna finally found the words to respond after searching in her mind. She shook her head "What is wrong with you? I was not mocking you. Its just that I find it hilarious that in your view, I can't even dance in public. Wow, that's the way to make me say yes to your marriage proposal. Are you crazy?"

Arturo closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He had to calm himself as he was recalling Anna's hip movements. He opened his eyes and looked at Anna with the same stare. He spoke in a stern voice " You can dance Anna but not like that. That made me want to kill every single male in that room for being there even though they weren't looking at you or not in a lustful way any ways. I am on edge here. I have chased you half way across the world and what I get is your ignorance, your stubborn attitude and your display of hip moves I have never seen before...."

Anna spoke " I actually think, you are also angry since you weren't there to see all my moves. Don't worry, if I choose you as my husband I won't have a display like that unless its for my man's eyes. Like I said, I am single. But I am a traditional girl who believes in wedlock. But lets say I am not yours until that ring is on my finger. I could be another man's wife. Francesco has given me choices. He has asked me to consider you, Ambrogio or Alessio. I don't know which one of you is the worst." Anna cringed and wanted to move away from him as she saw his eyes becoming more rageful. He looked ready to kill.

Arturo breathed " You will not go near Alessio or Ambrogio. You hear me? Am I clear?" It was a demand. It sounded like a strict order that even Anna couldn't help but respond to immediately.

Anna nodded quickly " Ok. Alright. Calm down." She was panicking as she felt the danger. His eyes just had possessiveness in them that made her want to look away. It made her excited but also it .... terrified her. She didn't know how she could possibly choose Arturo. He loved her and Anna .... loved him back. She always knew that but being with Arturo had its costs. It meant she had to submit to an authority. He was a brute. An angel faced brute. His enemies feared him. His allies were wary of him too. His sister, his parents .... They were even afraid of him. But Anna didn't feel threatened by his rage unless it was directed to someone else. She saw his rage as adorable and amusing. She felt excited as she heard his possessive words about her. She wanted him but the only thing stopping her was maybe her fears of a life for her children under the rule of a fearful disciplinarian that even his own family feared.

Arturo was getting more agitated " I knew Francesco would put some candidates on the table for you to choose but I assure you .... darling .... that I would massacre any man and his entire lineage if they have you. I want you. I can't stand the thought of you with another man. I just want to have you all to myself. You would come to see my parents in Italy. You would be given time to get used to the idea of us getting married. If you say no, I would respect that but I would fight to have you until the moment I stop breathing. I don't care who I have to take on. I don't care who I would have to kill. I would kill Amaranta and any woman my father chooses and I would kill your husband no matter who they are. I would take on Francesco even and he knows that....."

Anna felt like she wanted to get away from Arturo. It was getting too much. Her grip in his arms and their closeness was getting too much. She badly wanted to look away. She wanted to step away and not have to look into the eyes of the man who melted her heart but was a danger to anyone she knew. It was frightening how much he loved her. His way of treating others also concerned her as always. He listened to people's words with so much intensity as though every word could cost them if he didn't like what he heard. He spoke like he wanted to make sure the listener knew to pay attention to every word and any word could cost them their life. His threatening and intimidating stare was the worst.... But he loved her..

Anna spoke " You know what you don't get is .... that I may not be ready for you to come onto me this way. I need time to think and rushing me to meet your family won't help me make up my mind."

Anna was just hoping to buy time. For the first time in her life, she felt like she felt defeated. His piercing eyes made her tremble to the core. The love of this man was making her lose sense. It was not easy to deny her feelings for him. She fancied him but she was petrified of becoming an Agostini bride and a wife to a head of a family that rivaled the Rosarios. She was afraid to leave the protection of Francesco and go on her own to be under the rule and protection of Arturo Agostini, who was a man who brought fear to the heart of his family's enemies. A man who was a stone cold monster except for the time he was around her. He didn't love anything and anyone but her. It scared her. Even Arturo's family feared him and his short temper.

Arturo stared into Anna's eyes silently for seconds. He smiled with triumph as he could feel Anna's body shake slightly. She was slowly giving in. Her eyes looked torn. He couldn't wait to make her his. She was only his. His beautiful bride who no one was worthy of holding in their arms but him. He wanted to get to know this woman and grow old with this woman but more than anything he wanted to be challenged by her. She was a Rosario. The only female he had met who was close to being his equal in many ways. The fire inside her excited him. He wanted that fire to burn forever. His intentions wasn't to turn it off. He wanted her to fight him and challenge him but it didn't mean he was going to let her.

Arturo spoke in a confident tone" You are afraid to say yes to me because you fear me. Admit it. When you become my wife, you would have to submit to my authority. But you will gladly fight me every step of the way. I would anticipate that and would look forward to it. You will carry my children who would become Agostinis. That scares you. You would have children whom I would raise in my own way by my own choices. You would fight to keep them away. I know you will but that would be a lengthy and pointless battle. I tell you now to give in but I know you wont."

Anna spoke " Don't act like you have me already. I haven't said yes."

Arturo sighed " Obviously Francesco believes that you should either marry a Voltolini or an Agostini. It's inevitable to be with me. I would have you Anna either way. You will love me. You will learn to submit to my discipline and my rules. In return I would be the perfect husband. I would treat you like my equal as much as my profession allows me to. I would not hurt you. I swear I would protect you especially against those good for nothing Voltolini brothers who I know want to destroy the Rosarios. I would destroy them first....."

Anna looked at Arturo with questioning eyes " Hold on.... Is that what you meant when you said Amaranta and Costanzo are not meant to be? Are you going after the Voltolinis?"

Arturo spoke " Of course. They are breaking the rules. They are threatening the peace. They have angered a few families by their invasive and arrogant actions. They are taking on the Rosarios and Marcianos since they want their ports. It gets complicated since Ambrogio wants Francesco's woman. It involves the Agostinis because we are allies of Marcianos. Of course my family has no ties to the Rosarios or so they think. There is no business ties but there is a personal tie between you and I. So you can forget about Amaranta. She is as good as

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