47. A Thanksgiving (Part 11)

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Anna couldn't believe what she was hearing. She was staring at Arturo with a shocked expression.

Arturo took a step away from Anna and looked at his watch "We have been here a while. I think we should get back. As much as I want to get you back for slapping me, now this is not the time or place. I think when I take you tonight to my ship, we could have a long night when I show you the side of me when you act unruly."

Anna took a step towards Arturo "Hold on. Who are you calling unruly? Actually, I would like to show you what I do to you if you get too egoistic. You are a jerk. You are acting like a jerk and the scary part is that you don't know it yet."

Arturo raised an eyebrow "What did you just call me?"

Anna spoke "You heard right. Jerk."

Arturo took a step closer to Anna and was now in her space. He was looking down at her with eyes filled with rage. He gritted his teeth "You are pushing it Anna. Be careful. If you say the word jerk one more time I will make you regret it, right here, right now."

Anna held his stare and didn't cower away like how Arturo wanted. Most other girls would have looked away and apologised. But not her. Her parents had raised her to be a free spirit and no one was going to push her down. She pointed her finger at Arturo's chest. "Why do you think I called you that word?" She didn't say jerk again. She was not totally fearless when it came to Arturo. She knew he kept his word and never made empty threats. She carried on as she cleared her throat " Firstly, instead of saying to me that you are taking me to the ship, if you used the word "invitation" there somewhere in your sentence, maybe I would have taken that word back. But no, you had to take the choice away. Here is a word of advice for you, I don't respond to force. If you want to ask me on a date, or a dance or a sleep over at your ship, then you must ask me nicely. Invite me instead of telling me. Now try again. I like my man to treat me with respect."

Then Anna saw the change in Arturo's expression. He gave her a mischievous smile and with his rageful eyes, it didn't match. He looked menacing and it made Anna take a step backwards.

Arturo pointed his finger at Anna "You called me "your man". At last you are giving in." He then again took another step towards Anna and she found herself hitting a wall behind her as she retreated.

Anna put her hands on his chest and spoke "I haven't even finished, my man." She then saw his smile getting wider. She bit her lip " You like this word. Damn you. Never mind. I am not giving up. Arturo snap out of it. We need to talk. Don't look at me like that."

Arturo grabbed her wrists and held them in his hands as he leaned close brushing his lips against hers " Like what? Like I want you so badly. Like I cant wait to taste your lips. I hate it when you keep me waiting. I really do. You have kept me waiting too long. You have made me chase you too long. Now, I am done running after you. I would commit to extremes if I don't have you. You must choose me. Don't choose Ambrogio or Alessio. They don't deserve you. Only I deserve you. You are a rare woman Anna. I need you. I cant have anyone but you. Francesco told me he has given an ultimatum to marry. If you choose a Voltolini, it means war. First i would go ahead with my plan to go after the Voltolinis alongside the Marcianos. Then its the turn of Rosarios if they don't hand you over to me."

Anna gasped "Have you ever heard of free will. What if I don't want you? What if I say no? You cant possibly declare war on Rosarios for my choices."

Arturo nodded and narrowed his eyes "You are right. Absolutely right. I wouldn't have to do that. It sounds crazy since I know you will have no problem coming with me. I know you want me Anna. I can feel it. But I know you enough to expect anything from you. You are fully capable of fighting in the most unorthodox ways and unusual methods. You would marry a man you wouldn't love, just to fight for what you feel is right. Your power and your will has no limits and bounds."

Anna spoke " Don't pretend like you know me. You don't know anything about me."

Arturo spoke "I know enough. I know how much you wish you could protect your father from his superiors. I know you have grown up believing that the worst that can happen to you is if your father doesn't come home or someone killing him out of jealousy or even his own bosses stabbing him in the back because he is like you, a free spirited being who is hard to control. I saw him recently. He came onto Agostini shore a while ago to hit a rogue target. He resisted arrest by my men until I arrived. Luckily he complied with me. Don't look so worried. he is safe and sound. We had a cup of tea together and I talked to him about you. He told me he didn't want to talk on your behalf. He told me that the daughter he has raised knows what is best for her and is wiser than anyone he knows. He respects you Anna as an individual and so do I..."

Anna shook her head "Don't bring my father into this. You don't know anything about my family. But you are saying one thing but do another. You say you respect me as an individual but you just minutes ago looked me in the eye and bluntly said to me that you are going to hurt Amaranta. You should know full well that my loyalties are to the Rosarios. My cousin Costanzo loves Amaranta. You cant expect me to stand aside and just watch as you try to harm her. I would stop you..."

Arturo leaned close and attached his lips to hers in a forceful kiss as he had both Anna's hands in his hands in front of him. Anna tried to pull away and Arturo let her.

Arturo didn't let go of her hands "Sorry for kissing you like that. I couldn't help it. You looked so irresistible. Don't try to slap me by the way. I don't want to hurt you back. But I treat my woman like an equal darling in private. You should know that by now. If you hurt me, I will hurt you. Wait until you become my wife." He then let go of her hands and waited her to react and she didn't.

Anna rubbed her wrists and spoke "What are you planning for Amaranta?"

Arturo smirked "I like that you know when to pick your fights. Francesco will hand her over to me alongside Alessio tonight most likely. It depends on arranging safe transfer and security arrangements and technical details like that if it gets delayed but I doubt it. Your turn now. what you are planning to do?"

Anna spoke "You didn't tell me what you planned for them. Why should I tell you?" She then side stepped Arturo "You will have to find out. Wont you, my man?" She then turned to Arturo with a sweet fake smile making him turn serious.

Arturo spoke "Alright. Game on baby. Lets see what you have got. Don't expect me to go easy on you. You are my woman."

Anna turned to Arturo looking thoughtful "There are other ways to resolve all this mess peacefully. Tell me why you want to go to war with Voltolinis?"

Arturo sighed and walked to the door "I think you know, darling. Its all from the past."

Anna walked to Arturo and grabbed his arm "No, It cant be. You cant go after Ambrogio like this when there are peaceful ways. You cant tell me you are doing this all because of me, because of Ambrogio's history with you and I. You cant be serious. Why do you want to destroy a family for a vendetta. Let Amaranta marry Costanzo. That would bring peace. I know it will. Marriages always do that."

Arturo turned to Anna "I don't want peace darling. I want revenge and justice. Now I don't want to hear any more. Feel free to try to stop me and then face the consequences darling." He then didn't let Anna respond and opened the door "After you."

Anna walked out ahead of Arturo towards the Cheese and Wine room and Arturo caught up with her and wrapped his arm around her waist making her look at him with raised eyebrows.

Arturo chuckled as he whispered in her ear as they were walking "Don't forget darling that you lost a bet to do as I say for a month. What I say goes. You will be civil with me in public."

Anna spoke "I am civil if you are." She didn't mind his touch. She did like him but he was an angel faced dangerous criminal who was as hard to read as always. She was hoping to catch Costanzo at some point and speak to him. They needed to plan this. Arturo seemed confident. Too confident even though he wasn't on Italian soil.

As Arturo and Anna entered the room, they were greeted with an oval table in the middle with the reminder of cheese and wine as all guests were sitting around it and watching the United dreamers perform. Dancing was over now for the time being.

As Arturo pulled a chair out, Anna sat down and Anna mirrored Francesco's posture that was him embracing Adele's wasn't tightly making her lean her head on his shoulders.

Francesco looked at Arturo and nodded and then turned to his beloved and planted a kiss on her hair. It had been a while now that dancing had stopped and all guests were now listening to the music while some were cheese and wine tasting on the oval table.

Francesco looked at his watch and then whispered in Adele's ear " Do you want to take a break outside in the balcony or in our bedroom for a while. I think you need a break before dinner. We can join the others as they get on most likely with games after this music is over."

Adele was still shaken up from the conversation they had on the dance floor. She was hardly even paying attention to the music. The way she had jumped in her seat slightly as she had heard Francesco's voice hadn't escaped his eye. His heart broke as he saw his woman turning around and looking back at him with a hint of terror in her eyes. It wasn't his intention to hurt her but he had by the looks of it.

Adele nodded weakly and spoke " If that's what you wish."

Her response was like a knife plunged into his heart. Just when he had made some progress with her and she didn't fear him as a criminal, the dread he used to see visibly before their engagement was coming back into her eyes. Actions had consequences. He had threatened her brother and had forbidden her from seeing her only blood related family in the mansion. What did he expect? But part of him asked the same question from her in his mind. What did she expect? Her brother had betrayed him. What was he meant to do? Was he meant to embrace him and give him a medal? Was he meant to remove his strict surveillance off him and let him have another chance at taking away the only ray of light in his life? Was he meant to pretend like nothing had happened? Was he meant to treat him like a normal brother in law who wasn't after destroying his hopes of happiness with the woman he had waited ten years for? But he knew these were the irrelevant questions. The relevant question was " how could he protect his woman from the threat Angelo posed without hurting her?" That was impossible in many ways. He had to hurt Angelo to teach him a lesson even if it was not in the most torturing ways.

He smiled at her and spoke " Lets take a short break. That's what I wish." He then got up and so did Adele. He took her hand in his and lead her out of the room down corridors towards their room. He sighed deeply as she felt her hand shaking.

He had to try to fix this mess. Adele wasn't meant to be the one to fear him. It was Angelo he wanted to get his message.

When he lead her back to the bedroom, he opened the door and Adele entered. She laid down on the bed turning towards Francesco. She felt still weak from yesterday's sickness but felt slightly better but this rest was well timed. She was both shaken up from the conversation with Francesco and her sickness.

Francesco closed the door and walked to Adele. He sat down on the edge of the bed and took her hand in his as he looked into her beautiful eyes " Rest well. We will go down for dinner. United dreamers are here after dinner too."

Adele nodded and spoke "Thank you..."

Francesco smiled and leaned close and planted a gentle kiss on her forehead. He then pulled away. But he felt guilty as he felt Adele's hand shaking. She was scared and it was his fault. He sighed " Are you alright sweetheart? I don't want you to tremble when I talk to you or touch you. Not for the wrong reasons any way. I am ... sorry for forbidding you to see your brother as often as you would like but he has left me no other choice."

Adele nodded. She felt guilty too. She was hiding things from him. She was hiding Angelo's words from Francesco. Angelo had promised to take her away and she hadn't told him.

Francesco sighed "Sweetheart, there is something we must discuss. This will be the last time I am discussing your brother, but you must know how I feel about all this. Lets be blunt sweetheart. When I look at him, all I want to do is beat the crap out of him. When I see you close to him all I feel is that I should walk up to him and snap his neck..."

Adele gasped "But ... he didn't do anything. He did but he didn't take me away."

Francesco shook his head "He is a threat to you. I hate him and you hate this that I cant stand your brother but you cant blame me. I know Angelo is going to strike again..."

Adele was scared "Do you?"

Francesco spoke "Of course. I am sure of it. Anyone who is guilty of a crime will strike again unless they learn their lesson the hard way. In your brother's case, you didn't let me teach him a lesson so he will strike again. He is guilty until proven innocent and until he proves he is loyal."

Adele sighed in relief. At least Francesco hadn't heard Angelo say those words he had about taking her away. She knew Francesco wasn't going to let him off if he had heard him promising to do it all again.

Francesco continued " I confronted your brother today Adele. I am sorry. I couldn't help it. When I saw you with him it was hard to lock inside my rage. Here he was a threat to your well being standing there and you still look at him as a brother even though I cant look at him as one. He has proved to be unworthy to be a brother in law of mine but he is. I don't have a choice but to look at him as family... I took him to my office and contemplated ... torturing him. I did beat him up abit."

Adele covered her mouth with her free hand.

Francesco looked saddened as he looked into Adele's horror struck eyes " He is alright sweetheart. You saw him walk back inside. I did beat him up. But I do regret it because I see how you look right now." He then took Adele's hand to his lips and planted a kiss on her ring on her finger. He then looked into Adele's eyes and spoke earnestly "I swear to you Adele that I wont raise a hand on your brother again unless he gives me a reason to. But sweetheart, its hard for me to control my temper. It really is. Please keep away from him and don't mention him for as long as you can. I hope that by the time we marry, I will forgive him. Please understand that I didn't mean to hurt you this time. Next time I let you see him, I try harder to keep my emotions in check. I promise you."

Adele took off her hand from her mouth. She knew Angelo had gotten away lightly. If Francesco knew what he had vowed to do, he was going to go crazy. She tried to compose herself and asked the question that's he knew she only had this one chance to ask most likely "Francesco ... what if he gives you a reason to hurt him? What if he makes a mistake again? What would you then?"

Francesco sighed "Sweetheart. It doesn't matter now. I will have my men watch him night and day so he cant strike again. You don't worry about that." Just tell me, will you forgive me this time?"

Adele nodded "He is my brother ... I cant stand him get hurt ... I know he would have been dead if he wasn't my brother. I know that Francesco..."

Francesco spoke "Will you forgive me this time?"

Adele forgave Francesco because she knew her brother deserved more but of course Francesco hadn't heard his vows. She nodded "Yes, but if you let him get some medical treatment for what you did. Would you let him have treatment?"

Francesco sighed in relief and spoke "Of course sweetheart. My intention wasn't to hurt him. I just wanted to have a talk with him and put fear in him so he was not going to try to do anything reckless. That was all. But temptation made me go too far. But to tell you the truth sweetheart, my anger was mostly locked inside me and only Angelo got glimpses of it. I hope he has taken the hint and learnt his lesson and wont be trying anything any time soon. I said I would watch him but all he needs is getting you out there and then you will be hidden away if he reaches abroad with a fake passport. Over my dead body he will succeed Adele. Over my dead body."

Adele swallowed hard and took a deep breath and tried again to ask Francesco to tell her about what she feared the most "Francesco ... please tell me the truth. I need to know. What will you do if he makes a mistake as big as what he did. I need to know. Please tell me... Will you kill him?"

Francesco spoke "Sweetheart. Don't worry. He wont get another chance to defy me. I will make sure of it."

Adele spoke desperately with pleading eyes "Please tell me... Please... Will you kill him?"

Francesco sighed deeply and got up from the bed. He let go of Adele's hand and put his hands on his hips. "Sweetheart, no, I wont kill him. But that's the only guarantee you will get." He couldn't possibly tell Adele the answer as detailed as she wanted. She looked disappointed and it seemed like she wasn't satisfied with the answer. But what was he meant to say? He knew for a fact the next time Angelo betrayed him in any form or shape there was no way he could let him get away with no permanent scars. He was going to scar Angelo for life and he knew it was going to hurt Adele. Angelo was smart. Too smart. Because of who he was he could find friends in high places. Anyone would have helped him to weaken the Rosarios. Angelo was truly dangerous. If he wanted to leave the country and hide, it was challenging but it was not impossible. He really shouldnt have taken any chances with Angelo but of course he had to let him live all because of his angel.

Adele looked at Francesco's thoughtful form and whispered reluctantly "I understand..."

Francesco sat back down on the bed and spoke "Lets put it behind us. I know you don't like being in the dark, but the truth is, I even don't know what i would do exactly in future if your life was threatened. Its not easy to imagine my life without you. You give my life meaning. I cant fix the past and even present sweetheart. But I can only change the future. I am hoping our future thanksgivings would be merrier and happier." He the leaned close and kissed Adele's lips and pulled away whispering " I thought of a name for our second born son... Viggo which means victorious in Italian. Our first born as you know I chose to be named Vincenzo meaning the conqueror in Italian."

Adele blushed and looked away.

Francesco was now relieved that he had managed to distract Adele. This Angelo business should have ended at that moment for good. But he was very excited to discuss the topic but Adele didn't seem very keen.

Adele turned to Francesco while her cheeks looked bright red "What if we have a girl?"

Francesco shrugged "You will name her."

Adele spoke "Vienna."

Francesco chuckled "I like it. Vienna means from Wine Country. I like that name. Wine defines taste of life for me. I hope she looks nothing like me and looks just like you. I would love a little Adele running around the house."

Adele sighed. This was more like the

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