He sighed. Letting her go, he bent down on one knee.
People on the floor stepped away, giving him room.
The music came to a stop.
All eyes were focused on them.
Tessa stared around the room.
She looked like a deer caught in the headlights.
“Tessa Brown, the hardest woman in the world to date, will you please do me the honor of becoming my wife?” he asked.
They had an audience. If she denied him now, it would be the biggest humiliation to him.
Her lips moved, but he didn’t hear what her reply was.
“I didn’t catch that.”
“Yes. I’ll marry you. Yes. Yes.”
He kissed her finger. “I’ve got the ring at home.” He got to his feet, cupping her face once again. As his lips touched hers, the enter crowd went wild, cheering for the two of them.
“You did that on purpose,” she said.
“Damn right. You’re unpredictable, Tessa. I needed to know you’d say yes.”
“What if your family doesn’t like me? I’m the nanny.”
“Look at my face. I really don’t give a fuck what they think. They have my loyalty, my devotion, and I have proven myself time and time again. I really couldn’t give a shit if they wanted me out. I’d have you. Besides, Jessica already adores you.”
“What about … the Adesso family?” she asked.
“I don’t think you have a fan in any of them.”
She chuckled. “I don’t want to cause you any trouble.”
“How about I worry about the Adesso and the family stuff? You worry about me and we’ll compromise.”
“Okay, deal.”
Chapter Ten
Four days later
Alonzo linked his fingers with Tessa’s as they looked through the wedding magazine together. She’d been insistent on just going to court and signing their names on the dotted lines. He wouldn’t have that.
“These are really expensive,” she said.
“Money’s not an object. You’re going to wear a white gown, have bridesmaids. I know Jessica is really looking forward to it.”
“I thought we agreed to a small event.”
“We agreed whatever we like.”
She rested her head against his chest. “And what I like?”
“Is silly. I’m not marrying you like that where we exchange rings, sign the paper, and be done with it.” He cupped her cheek, and she lifted her head, looking at him. “What would your father have wanted?”
“That’s not fair,” she said with a groan, covering her face.
“Is that because he’d have wanted his little girl to have a huge day where she was the star?”
“Yes.”
“See, I know what you want and what you need.” He chuckled. “Stop trying to pretend you don’t want this.”
“I saw the way your … friends looked at us in that nightclub, Alonzo. They weren’t happy to see us.”
“I don’t care what they want or wanted. I’m with you, and that’s the way it’s going to stay.”
“But don’t you have to follow some kind of protocol or something like that?” she asked.
“I don’t have to follow anything I don’t want. I told you, Tessa. I’m the master of my own destiny, and you need to see that I’m not going to back down without a fight. I love you more than anything else in this world. If they push me aside, tell me I’m not fit to run the Zanetti name, then they can take over. Believe me, it wouldn’t last long before they came my way. That is a promise.”
She smiled up at him.
“I love you, Tessa. These feelings are not going away, and I would never dream of asking you to become something that you have no right. You’re going to be my wife. The mother of my children.”
“Where is that son of mine?”
The loud screech filled the air and echoed off all the walls.
Tessa stared at the surprise on Alonzo’s face, and then he began to chuckle. “They have brought reinforcements. You’re about to meet my mother.”
Before she could form any kind of excuse the door slammed open, and in walked a force to be reckoned with.
His mother, Maria Zanetti, with a glare that would kill most people on the spot.
Tessa’s heart raced. She tried to step away from Alonzo, but he wrapped an arm around her waist, stopping her from escaping.
It wasn’t fair as he had the advantage like always. Gritting her teeth, she stayed perfectly still.
“You think you can take over the name and just start making all the rules,” Maria asked, her hands waving at her son.
“Hello, Mother, what a pleasant surprise to see you back here.”
“You knew I would come. No matter what happened, I was going to turn up. Your father may have angered me during his dying breath, but that was no reason for me not to return here when I hear you’re making a mockery of my name by marrying this, this peasant.”
Alonzo tensed behind her. He still didn’t let her go.
“I suggest you be careful, Mother. I’m very much in love with this … peasant. She is going to be my wife.”