Page 53 of Stolen Bride
“Don’t you have a home?” I sneer at my sister.
She just sticks out her tongue and goes to her makeup bag, waving it at me. “I do, but I promised I wouldn’t leave until I did her makeup, so stop being a pest and go entertain my fiancé.”
“Keep it up, and I’ll keep him busy on assignments until your wedding.”
“You’re not a very nice big brother.”
“Well, I know what he does to you in private and I should kill him for it, so I think I’m pretty nice.”
“Whatever. You need to leave us so I can make your wife beautiful.”
“She’s already beautiful.”
“I just wanted to hear you say it.” She winks at Stella, and I let out a laugh. I’ve been beat, so I look for my men. The risk for the club will be low tonight because police will be all around. Still, I can’t let my guard down when it comes to my wife.
Twenty-five long minutes later, my wife and sister finally traipse down the steps, and I’m floored by the beauty before me. It’s not what she did to her; it’s the glow on her face. She’s happy.
Meeting my wife there, I close the distance and take her hand in mine before bringing it to my lips. “So perfect. Are you ready, Mrs. Valentino?”
“Yes,” she says, biting the edge of her bottom lip.
As soon as we get to the waiting armored town car, I say, “Tell me what’s going on. That light’s missing.”
“Actually, I’m a little nervous.”
Is she afraid of the danger? I’d die for her, and I’ll tear apart anyone who comes between us. Cupping her chin, I look into her eyes to read her well. “Why?”
She blushes, and I want to fuck her on the leather seats beneath us. “I’ve actually never been dancing. Will you dance with me?”
“How about we dance alone in our private VIP booth?”
“I’d like that.” She leans her pretty head on my shoulder as we drive into the city.
The drive to the club is fraught with tension as my phone blows up with messages and calls. I learn a lot about my former soldiers. The details come in from Nico, and they’re not good. Benzino was not only related to that cunt that came between my family and nearly cost me my life, but Rocco was too. They were relatives of another family—one I suddenly had an unknown beef with.
We’ll see how long that lasts; a war will be had. I’ve never lost before, and this time, a lot more is at stake. A future.
“Now what’s wrong with you?”
“Nothing.”
“Don’t lie to me, Damiano Marciano Valentino.”
“It’s nothing for you to worry about, is what I mean. Tonight, I want you to enjoy being the only woman ever on my arm to sit in my lap and dance in my arms.”
“Fine, but I’m not a wilting flower.”
“That doesn’t mean you need to be involved in the big-boy problems. I need you and my baby well protected.”
“Of course, if that’s what you want. I’ll do it, just don’t tell me nothing’s wrong when I can see it. I’m naïve to a lot, but reading a man’s face is something I’ve grown very used to.” She doesn’t have to explain that response to let me know she lived with warding off the next round of abuse. Watching her tongueand expressions kept her from trouble, so she knew to be on guard.
Bringing her hand to my lips, I kiss the back of it and apologize. “I’m sorry, Amore. I’ll try to remember.”
We arrive at the club ten minutes later, and my wife is a little less frazzled. Cameras and police are all around because tonight’s the grand reopening and everyone wants details. “Mr. Valentino, Mr. Valentino, can we get a word?” a reporter shouts. She doesn’t wait, of course. “Is it true that someone has finally landed Miami’s notorious elusive bachelor?”
“If that’s your impolite way of asking if this lovely woman is my wife, then yes. My wife, Stella. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we have a club to open. You may come in, but of course, cameras and recording equipment are to be left outside.”
“What about the fires? Any answers? Will there be trouble?”