A Forced Contract Marriage with the Devil novel Chapter 141

Chapter 141

“Tonight we are?” 1 echoed, mouth slightly agape.

Alessandro’s eyes gleamed with amusement. “Yes.” Ilis voice was a whisper against my ear as he stepped in close behind me, the heat of he body ghosting over my damp skin. “You can be shy the whole time if you want.”

His lips brushed my earlobe. “I think it’s cute.”

“Men aren’t cute,” I groaned, swatting at his hand half–heartedly as I pulled away to get dressed, my cheeks burning.

“Whatever, let’s go,” I muttered, trying to sound casual as I turned away with cheeks still burning.

Fifteen minutes later, we were gliding through the city in one of Alessandro’s sleek black cars. Antonio didn’t speak at all. Neither did Alessandro. Not at first. But his hand rested possessively on my thigh the whole way steady, warm, and impossible to ignore.

When the car finally pulled up, my jaw almost hit the floor.

Lucrezia.

A place I’d only ever seen in magazines or overheard in whispered gossip. The kind of restaurant where celebrities dined behind velvet ropes, where reservations were made months in advance, and where the menu didn’t have prices because if you had to ask, you didn’t belong.

People in gowns and tuxedos lingered near the entrance under golden light and the glow of the iconic marble archway. And now… we were among them.

I hesitated as Antonio opened the door for me.

Alessandro stepped out first, straightening to his full height in a dark tailored suit that clung to him like it had been made by the devil himself. Then he reached back inside for me.

“Don’t overthink it,” he murmured when he saw the panic flicker behind my eyes. “Just take my hand.”

I did.

The moment our fingers intertwined and I stepped out beside him, it was like the world stopped. Heads turned. Whispers followed. Not subtle ones, either.

People stared. Not because I didn’t belong but because I was with him. He didn’t flinch. Didn’t glance their way. His grip tightened, grounding

1. me.

The maître d‘ nearly tripped over himself trying to greet us.

“Mr Alessandro, of course. Your private table is ready.”

Private. Of course.

We were led through a glowing, chandelier–lit dining hall that smelled like saffron, truffle, and luxury. Eyes followed us the whole way. Not a single soul questioned why Alessandro the well known cold hearted mafia had shown up with someone like me.

But I could feel it in the air. The curiosity. The confusion. The judgment.

Alessandro didn’t seem to care.

At all.

1/3

Chapter 141

He pulled out my chait, waited until I was seated. Then took his own, lis gaze never once leaving mine-

The low hum of music and clinking glasses surrounded us, but in that moment, it felt like we were this only ones there.

“You still shy?” he asked, smirking as he took a sip of something dark and expensive.

I forced myself to hold his gaze. “Less shy. More… wondering how you can act so normal when half this room wants to either kill us or late. pictures.”

“Let them try both.” He leaned in slightly, voice a velvet threat.

Just as his lips touched my ear a pointed “Ahem” echoed in the background bringing us back to reality.

We both turned immediately only to see a woman with a wide smile on her face.

“I was told we were having special guests, but I never thought it’d be you, Alessandro.” She said amused, without any respect as if she knew him very well. She didn’t even bow her head in fear. Alessandro shockingly got up to hug her, with a relaxed grin on his face. “I never thought I’d see you in here anytime soon.” She spoke with a wide smile.

I was completely speechless, I had never seen Alessandro hug anyone, or seen him around friends, or mention any friend before, and now I was seeing him hug THE Carmen Skitz, the most beautiful chef I’ve ever seen, and the owner of this place.

“What?” He huffed out. “A man has to eat.” He joked, his eyes focusing back on me, making me nervous.

“I’m actually here on a date.” He told her, hinting at me, making her eyes go wide once she looked at me.

“This is Nicholas, my date.” Alessandro spoke confidently. My heart thudded, and for a split second, I forgot how to breathe. Carmen’s gaze turned to me fully then there was a moment of silence, making a big pile of dread sit in my stomach but it went away instantly when a smile appeared on her face again.

“Well, shit,” she said, eyes gleaming with sudden recognition. Her lips parted, and she leaned in slightly, as if trying to place me from a different angle. “I know who you are.”

My brows lifted in surprise.

“You’re on TV,” she continued, excitement flashing in her voice how. “The Nicholas. The famous actor, right? The one with that, what was it… the high school drama? God, what was it called… Midnight Halls?”

My face flushed. “Yeah,” I said, laughing awkwardly. “That’s me.” Smiling politely, I got up from my seat and shook her hand. I saw Alessandro smile from the corner of my eye. He fucking smiled with his dimples.

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