The car door opened before the driver even had a chance to remove himself from his seat. A flash of confusion flit across her features when she caught sight of Lazzaro Cavelini himself. He offered her his arm as she set an elegant heel on the cement and came to her full height beside him. Of course, he still stood at least a full head over her, even in the heels. She internally grimaced at the use of such an affectionate term, already realizing that this was a game for him. Two could certainly play.<br/><br/>The smile that lit up her face was forced, but the way it went to her eyes would have fooled almost anyone. The affection in his voice wasn’t echoed in the kisses he left on her cheeks though. “Thank you, Mr Cavelini. You flatter me.” Her heart thumped strongly in her chest, the pulse vibrating through her neck as he handed her the beautiful bouquet and led her inside. His compliments were taken graciously, and with poise, but Aria couldn’t decipher whether he meant what he said or was simply using pretty words to appease her. The way he held himself said volumes though.<br/><br/>In the end, it wouldn’t matter. Whether he approved or not, their fates were sealed and bound to one another. She had wondered how many years she could suffer through before a divorce would be allowed. Yet, even she knew that divorce in the<i>familiga</i>didn’t remove the target from your back.<br/><br/>Their presence in the restaurant caused quite a stir, making it abundantly clear that whoever ran this place knew Lazzaro. Of course they did. Did they owe him something? Or was the restaurant a cover for a slew of illegal activity? Aria was all too aware of how the staff forced their appreciation — as if threats had been given to ensure good service and no mishaps. The thought made her stomach roll. Underneath the sweet compliments and the overly attentive service, a thread of fear ran through each person who had the pleasure of conversing with them.<br/><br/>Mr Cavelini pulled her chair out and she took it with a soft smile tugging at her painted lips. He handed her the menu himself. The blazing color brushed across his knuckles left her hesitating. Her own fingers trembled ever so slightly as she was reminded of the violence due in their world. Apparently, unlike her father, he was more hands. It took every ounce of self control she had not to stare and he seemed to do nothing in an attempt to hide the proof of his viciousness. Aria was forgetting that perhaps the victim of those tense fists had well deserved what had been given.<br/><br/>No, Lazzaro Cavelini was a monster — feared so much that men whispered his name. And he was her fiancé. Her stomach protested her thoughts once more.<br/><br/>His voice coaxed her green eyes off the menu she hadn’t been reading and up towards his cold, golden gaze. “Traveling with my parents is always an ordeal, but the accommodations were to their liking.” Nevermind that Marco Rossi complained every leg of the journey and remained bitter even when settled into his luxurious suite.<br/><br/>A familiar voice lifted over the hushed sounds of other patrons and Aria’s gaze darted to her left, finding the familiar forms of two of her father’s soldiers. Surely they’d been sent to keep an eye on her and irritation Rose in her throat. The two men were seated a couple tables away, not nearly as secluded as the table Lazzaro had seemed to prefer. Her eyes shifted to his bruised fist and back to his face, shaking off their presence as best she could. If they could hear her, everything she said would go back to her father with some added content to rouse is anger. They catered to him like that and he didn’t even notice.