Page 57 of She Belongs to Me

“So we’re halfway across the world and you’re going to stop living? Come on. That’s not like you. We’re talking about a family dinner. We need to meet her. Alexandra has been a part of your life for years yet we’ve never been allowed to meet her.”

Huffing and puffing wasn’t my style. She was right. I wasn’t entirely certain why I hadn’t suggested a meeting years before except I’d tried to keep my distance. “Fine, but not tomorrow night.”

“Don’t worry. I have clients coming in for a wine tasting both tomorrow and the next night. But the one after that?”

I also wasn’t going to dissuade her. “Fine. But I want nothing to do with the preparations.”

“Such a freaking hardcase. We’d be eating raw beef and nothing else if I left it up to you. I’ll handle the preparations. In the meantime… Can I at least meet this woman who managed to capture your attention?”

Her insinuations drove me nuts as well. “At some point.” I could swear karma was against me. The knock on my door wasn’t sharp enough to be one from any of my men. The door opened and Alexandra walked in without waiting for me to answer. She was a breath of fresh air, beautiful in every way. She was wearing a skirt, tee shirt, and low black shoes that I knew my sister would make fun of, likely from Target or another cheap store. Her hair was in a ponytail, but her skin was glowing.

My sister was quick to notice my expression, grinning like a Cheshire cat. I gave her a nasty look in return.

“I didn’t mean to interrupt. The packages have started to arrive and I feel… Guilty.” Alexandra eyed me then my sister, who’d turned all the way around. Soon, the woman would be out of her chair and fawning over my guest.

My ward.

My lover.

My possession.

God. The filthy thoughts running through my head were pathetic.

“Come in. Alexandra Christian, this is my sister, Isabella. The two of you are both firecrackers so please be careful so you don’t burn the house down.” I could swear the two women gave me the same rather nasty look. Why did I have a bad feeling they were going to become close?

“Packages?” Isabella prodded as she rose to her feet.

“Clothes upon your brother’s insistence.” Alexandra studied me intently. I didn’t know if she was searching for affirmation from the night before, but I was doing my best to remain emotionless.

“Of course. He likes his women a certain way.” Isabella laughed.

“Isa-bella,” I warned.

“What?” As always, my sister was acting like a drama queen. She had an audience.

I had a feeling I knew exactly what Alexandra would do and I was right. She took three long strides forward, planting both hands on her hips and grimacing. “I’m not his woman. I am a medical student who will be studying later today to take her third-year exams who just happened to witness a horrible crime. In fact, I’m nobody’s woman and will never be. Men are pigs.”

Somehow, I didn’t think her defiance was being leveled at either my sister or myself. I did my best to bite back a smile. “She’s formidable. She’ll take a bite, Izzy.”

Isabella for once didn’t seem to know what to say immediately. “I think I’m going to adore this woman. I applaud you. Becoming a doctor? I could never have the patience. Say, brother. Do you think I could take this fabulous woman out for breakfast? Scout’s honor we won’t get into any trouble.”

“Scout’s honor?” Alexandra asked, genuinely curious.

“You see, my sister spent two years in New York attending Columbia and once she returned, she was ready to renounce her Italian heritage altogether.” I was tense about Isabella taking her anywhere, but they would not be alone. I’d send my own men whether they liked it or not.

“I learned some fabulous things about American wines, brother. That has turned our vineyards into the most sought-after source in Europe. Did you forget about that?”

Alexandra laughed at the bantering. “He bites too, you know.”

“Oh, I can handle him. Somehow, I think you can too. When we return from breakfast, I can help you open all those boxes. It’ll be like Christmas,” Isabella told her. She was way too excited.

“Yes, I can as a matter of fact.” Alexandra eyed me again. There were things we needed to talk about, but not now. There was far too much work to do.

“Then grab your purse and we’re off,” my sister told her.

My ward glanced in my direction, more out of defiance than asking me permission. “I think I’ll enjoy getting out.”

“And the drive is very scenic as well.”