One Night Stand With The Mafia Boss
Chapter 20

Landon gets out and opens my door for me.

I got out and looked up at my new home. It is beautiful with its white walls and large windows. Yes, very Italian looking still, but what would I expect? Yes, I am sad, always making myself laugh.

He leads me to the front door before stopping and telling me to wait there.

I do and watch as he opens the double doors showing the grand foyer. He walks back over to me and lifts me bridal style. I couldn’t help the small squeak of surprise that came out of me.

“Welcome home Amore mio”, he k****s my head and walks us in.

He doesn’t put me down right away and instead walks around showing me the ground floor while still carrying me. I complained numerous times and told him I was too heavy and put me down, but he just ignored me.

The house was stunning, as would be expected after the mansion. Honestly, it was way too white for my taste but I can slowly try and add some colour.

Unfortunately, my mind did go to the whole how do you keep a house white with the mafia boss as your partner. And yes, I did let out a small giggle at my own stupid joke, making Landon look at me and raise an eyebrow.

I just shook my head and kept looking around as much as I could from his arms, which had to be half dead by now!

Finally, he put me down when it was time to look at the second floor. Seriously, this man’s poor muscles must be dying by now!

He gave me a tour of all of the rooms, of course making the main bedroom the last room to show me. Opening the big double doors, then motioning for me to go in, I couldn’t stop the smile on my face from the large homely room.

It was mostly white with floorboards and lots of beautiful paintings of landscapes on the walls.

There was a massive 4 poster bed in the middle with wispy white material around the top. It had a white doona and white and cream pillows that all looked so plush that you just had to go and touch them. The bed had matching wooden bedside tables with big white lamps on them.

There was a matching dresser and a couple of doors that, I am guessing, led to the Ensuite and walk-in robe, but I was now mesmerized by the big French doors and the view beyond it.

I hadn’t realised we were on a bit of a hill before, but from here you could see all the way to the ocean and its beautiful calm waters. We were so close! I will definitely love being able to go for a walk down there and enjoy the sand between my toes.

Large arms wrapped around me as a hard chest pressed to my back.

“Do you like it? You can change anything and everything in the house you want.” He sighed as he rested his chin on my head.

“It’s amazing” I breathed, staring at the view and letting the weight of the day finally dissipate.

“Your clothes are already in the closet. Did you want a bath or a shower or food?”

“I think I will have a bath. Will you join me?”

I felt his chuckle, knowing there was no way he was going to say no.

Landon went above and beyond to make me feel welcome by getting us some drinks and a large tasting plate to eat while we soaked in the large tub. Seriously, this thing was huge!

He also surprised me when he poured a whole heap of bath oils in that he organised just for me.

After falling asleep in his arms in the bath, he helped me out, then I had a bit more of a nap before tea. We were invited back to Ma’s for tea, no surprises there.

I got dressed and put on a bit of light make-up to hide the jet lag. Although it isn’t that bad, I still felt tired.

“Ah my daughter” Ma screamed as we walked in the door. I couldn’t help but laugh and look at Landon. The poor guy was just a ghost to her now. He just smiled and shook his head.

It was just the immediate family tonight with just Ma, Tom, Leo, Landon, Louie, Giorgia and I.

They all got up and gave us both hugs and k****s.

I gave Leo a questioning look when his slight limp showed as he walked towards me. He smiled at me and shook his head.

“I’m fine. You never need to worry about me”

“Doubt that” I hugged him back as he chuckled.

“Finally, the famous Kate. Are you pregnant yet?” Gi asked when I finally got to her.

Landon said she didn’t like her full name, so to always just call her Gi. She was absolutely stunning with her perfectly styled bleached hair that shone in the light. Her perfect makeup , nails and expensive dress and shoes.

I couldn’t help but let out a loud laugh that was almost a snort to that, her first words to me! That’s hilarious! I also didn’t miss everyone freeze until I replied.

“No. You?” she laughed back.

“Definitely not! I need to be married for that” she gave me a wink, making us both laugh. “So I have been informed we are taking you on a tour tomorrow.”

“Oh good, so you’re coming too?”

“Someone has to make sure you’re not forced to go to Versans.”

“Dere is nothing wrong with Versans,” Ma cut in.

“Yes, if you are over 60” Gi whispered in my ear as she led me to the table.

“I heard that!” Ma glared at her.

“So Landon said you’re the one I needed to speak to about the American and Australian wine markets.” After going through many options with him, I thought I would look at this side of the business.

“Yes! I love you already!” She practically swooned.

“Enough work. She needs to settle in first and relax. No work for da week!” Ma cut in as we all settled at the table. Gi just rolled her eyes and took a big sip of her wine.

“So the truth, how did you two meet?” Gi asked.

“Why, what have you been told?” This would be interesting!

“You were in a bar counting how many women were trying to pick up Louie when Landon noticed you and asked you out.” Everyone stopped and listened to hear this.

“I am guessing Louie told you that?”

“Yeah why?”

“Because I was making a tally of how many women and men were trying to chat up Landon and everyone else and, unfortunately for Louie, I put it in Landon’s tally, knowing most girls were trying to go through him to Landon.”

“Oh really!” she looked at Louie, who fanned shock.

“Lies! All Lies! They wanted this!” he motioned down his body, making everyone scoff, especially Gi.

“So did Landon actually ask you on a date?” she leaned forward. You could see how eager she was to know if the hard nut stroking my back asked a complete stranger on a date.

I bet he has never asked anyone on a date before. I will have to ask him that later.

I looked at him for help. “Um yeah he did.” Unfortunately, the pitch in my voice for that last part came out a bit high, probably giving me away.

He winked at me and took a sip of his drink. Yep he wasn’t going to say a thing! Of course not!

Brat!

Her mouth dropped as it dawned on her “OMG it was a hook up wasn’t it!”

“Ummm… does Italy have one of those Fifth Amendment clauses like America?”

“It does not matter. He found her and my daughter is here now. We just tell everyone it was a date, understood” Ma quickly cut in and warned everyone with a glare, then looked at me with tenderness in her eyes. “You can meet your soul mate in da most unlikely place.” She lifted her glass. “To Kate and Landon!”

Everyone hid their laughs and just smiled as they lifted their glasses and repeated “Kate and Landon. Cheers.”

“I want to know everything later” Gi whispered in my ear after.

The rest of the dinner was easy as the conversation flowed. Everyone spoke English even when not talking to me. I felt bad like I was making them change their ways for me, but I was also flattered they were doing everything to make me feel at home.

It was interesting to see the dynamic of the group as well. Even though Landon was the head and everyone continually looked at him for his opinion, Ma was in control at this table. I was not surprised in the slightest!

Landon was still his normally quiet self, only answering questions or adding his 2 cents worth when he felt necessary. He was just so relaxed though and smiled easily.

Every time his hand was free, it was on the back of my chair or on my leg, mainly my leg, of course. I loved the way he constantly checked on me even here. Always so attentive!

Leo and Louie turned into a couple of teenage boys with their stories and antics. It was funny watching them rev each other up.

You could see Gi was the apple of everyone’s eyes, the perfect princess.

I was waiting for there to be something behind the mask of perfection, maybe due to my jealousy with how perfect she was, but no, she was perfect. She was funny, kind, strong, smart and everything every woman strived to be.

Yep, my confidence was always going to take a hit every time I was with her, but hey that’s my problem not hers. Stupid insecurities!

I really hope we can become good friends as it will be good to have a woman around my age to talk to, well, a bit younger, but you know what I mean.

Tom sat back like Landon for most of it and I was surprised that Ma did too. She just scolded the guys every now and then and constantly ordered all the servers around, making sure everyone had drinks and food or clean plates. Everything had to be perfect!

You certainly couldn’t take the smile off Ma’s face though. She was happy her family was together.

It reminded me of my family back home and sitting around the dinner table.

It warmed my heart that I would still have a family to easily converse with, but also hurt as I didn’t know when I would see mine again.

And well, mine is a family from the country that yes, had killed animals due to injuries or for food. The family around me right now were all well-known killers. People who didn’t even blink as they pulled the trigger, even Gi from what I heard.

Just a slight difference!

How I felt so comfortable around them was beyond words and almost confusing unless you watched them now when they all seemed so… normal!

We stayed till just before 10 when my eyes started to try and close on their own.

We had made plans for Ma and Gi to pick me up at 10 the next morning, so I really had to try and get as much sleep as possible. I really didn’t want to look like hell while walking next to Gi, but then again I think everyone would!

Landon had to almost help me up the stairs as fatigue took over. He certainly enjoyed taking my clothes off for me as I was almost asleep before we made it to the bed.

His soft chuckles that filled me with warmth and happiness being the last thing I heard as sleep took over me.

I awoke the next morning to an alarm and an empty bed.

I tried not to be disappointed as this was his home and where he was the boss. I always knew I was going to have to share more of him. Now the question was how much more?

And how much is he going to change?

I had a shower and got dressed in simple jeans, a nice top and sneakers ready for lots of walking.

I was not sure of what their type of tour or sight-seeing was going to be like, but I had to be comfortable and ready.

I checked my phone on my way to the kitchen to find a text from Landon apologising for not being there when I woke up and wishing me a great day.

OK, that made my morning better.

I wrote him a simple message telling him not to worry and have a great day.

OK thank god I wore comfortable clothes and shoes!

Even though I was underdressed compared to Gi and Ma in their designer dresses and shoes, I was still in designer clothes. Especially since most of my old clothes had slowly disappeared. I had a feeling it was being slowly raided every day, so I ended up hiding some of my favourites.

I was in 2 minds about whether I should be pissed off and feel like my old life was being stripped away or just go with it, since I would feel out of place with everyone else when I got to Italy. So they were kind of doing me a favour.

Oh and Kylie told me to stop being an i***t as it was only cheap clothes!

We walked and shopped and dined and met a lot of people. Of course they knew everyone and anyone.

We were always greeted with the biggest smiles, whether fake or genuine, and lots of air k****s everywhere we went. It was all a bit different to what I expected.

My kind of sight seeing is touristy things or hidden gems that tourists don’t know about. Theirs is shopping.

It was still great getting to spend time with them and get out and about though, and it was only my first full day here, so I can’t complain.

We only stopped briefly for food and when a car ride was needed for the next place.

I got to find out what Versans was. It was a clothing store that didn’t quite match my style but Ma went crazy in there and it was funny watching her. Ma was a boss! I knew that, but seeing her in full action having everyone spring around in their heels was impressive.

Gi and I got on like a house on fire! To my relief!

Yes, I told her the full story of Landon and me getting together. She laughed and said it was actually quite romantic when you think about it. A modern Romeo and Juliette story she mock gushed as I shushed her as Ma was coming back out of the changing room.

Turns out Gi was studying part time and trying to handle the wine export at the same time, no wonder she was glad to hand it over.

There were people that worked for them in America and Australia to handle things on the other end, but it was still a lot of work.

The only hiccup to the day was when we came across some “Family Friends”. The look of disgust I got from the woman and daughter as they looked me up and down when they heard I was Landon’s girlfriend had me shell shocked.

The woman was probably in her late 50’s with her hair perfectly pulled back in a French twist. Lots of gold jewellery on every part of her body she could and a designer white dress.

The daughter was in her early twenties or younger in a bright pink dress that hugged everything and didn’t leave much to the imagination. Seriously, you hoped there weren’t the slightest gusts of wind or everyone would have seen what she had for lunch!

She was kind of pretty but would have looked better with less makeup.

I had received a few glares that quickly changed to fake smiles from women throughout the day after being introduced to them, but these women didn’t hide their reaction at all.

Ma instantly lost her mind at them, in Italian of course, so I have no clue what she said. All I know is that they instantly apologised for their reactions and invited us around for drinks to make up for it.

Gi grabbed my hand and told them “f**k no! Have a crap day ladies” and led me off to the next shop.

I was so shocked, all I could do was follow as I heard Ma say something else in Italian before she followed us in.

I certainly didn’t miss the guards quickly blocking them from following.

Then, to make up for it, Ma tried to spend an extra obscene amount of money on me and made sure the shop assistants treated me like a Queen. I was able to say no to a few outfits but really I had no choice to most of it. I have never ever had this many clothes in my life!!!!

I nearly died when we went to some type of Victoria’s Secret shop! I almost had to try and get changed and hold the curtain closed at the same time to keep Ma out! Gi thought it was hilarious and was crying, she was laughing that hard. The sales assistants weren’t much help as you could see they would do anything Ma told them to.

Last stop was a jewellery store which surprised me until all my fingers were measured… including a certain one that made Ma’s eyes light up! Subtle much!

They brought me some matching earrings and necklace sets, some with a matching bracelet as well that I supposedly would need.

At least I was able to get the style I prefer though. I prefer classic, vintage, more antique-looking jewellery.

I am sure for some people this day of shopping would be heaven, for me it was all a bit too much and especially since I was exhausted. I just grinned and bared it though, especially since Gi gave me an apologetic smile, probably seeing how uncomfortable I was.

FINALLY, we made it home at just before 6.30. Yes that means over 8 hours of shopping!

I was so happy that there was food waiting for us as I collapsed on the chair next to Gi.

They said the boys were still busy and would be home at about 8.

I ate as much as I could before excusing myself for a much needed bath at home.

“Yes you go relax, my beautiful daughter. A bath will be ready for you. Sleep well” Ma gave me one of her bone crushing hugs before the 3 k****s and had our driver from today take me back home.

Gi said she would be past tomorrow to take me properly sight seeing and anything I want if I was up to it.