Page 26 of Isle of Seduction
She frowns and pushes me out of her way, stomping back to the reception hall, and I can’t help the devious smile on my face.
Giulia Moretti will be mine, no matter the cost.
ELEVEN
TO MAYHEM AND RETRIBUTION
After I’ve fixed my hair, I come back to our seats, where Giulia pretends I don’t exist. She’s good at pretending, my little wife. Or maybe it’s not pretend with everyone but me. There was nothing fake about the way her tight cunt clenched around my fingers just seconds ago.
She smiles at Jane like the woman is the most interesting person she’s ever met. She gives her attention to Lewis without restraint, and the other table guests draw smiles and laughs from her sinful throat; only when my hand falls on her thigh, she glares.
I signed a contract guaranteeing I’d respect her rules, but it’s been null and void from the second she let me pull the skirt of her dress up. Right now, my hand on her thigh is the only thing that keeps me grounded. It also serves the purpose of reminding everyone in attendance that she is mine, even if she’s reluctant to that fact.
She’s sweet like the vanilla perfume she wears with everyone, and bitter and prickly with me.
I like to think I’m the only one who sees behind the mask she thinks she needs to wear to get what she wants. Breaking it apart piece by piece is the most alive I’ve ever felt and I’m not ready to give that up, but I’ll let her set our pace. For now.
When the diner ends and most guests congregate from their round tables to the large bar made of glass at the back of the room, Giulia and I get separated. She navigates the crowd expertly while Lewis and Taylor pull me aside before it’s time for me to do my own Public Relations and work the crowd, begging for endorsements. With Addams doing the same fucking thing, my competitive streak comes out to play. This is the part I hate, but I need every single one of the men and women in this room to vote for me and tell their constituents to do the same if I have a hope of satiating the hunger I have.
The words I hear from Councilman Carmichael threaten to unravel who I really am.
“Have you seen Capaldi’s new wife? I wonder where he got such a tasty piece of ass. I’ll pay good money to get a go at her once he’s done with her,” he says and his band of merry followers all laugh.
Cold fury invades my every cell, urging me to maim, to kill. Red paints my vision and my head empties of anything but the need to see Carmichael choke on his own blood.
Dr. Farrow, whom I will expect a fucking fat check from, is the first to see me. His eyes widen and his face blanches; he even flinches when I take a step toward their group. I land a heavy hand on Carmichael’s shoulders.
“Gentlemen, how kind of you to endorse me this evening.”
My words are civil, but my tone leaves no room for argument. Carmichael must be well in his cups because he counters, “Who says any of us would, Mr. Capaldi?”
I smile a sweet smile I borrowed from Giulia. “Who else, Councilman? From my recollection, you’ve used Capaldi’s Security as well as made a point to support the new school project and better recycling throughout the town, just like I champion, haven’t you?”
The threat is laced with pleasantry, but the other three men gulp and nod their approval. My hand hasn’t left Carmichael’s shoulders and I press with all my might, making him flinch.
“Something’s the matter, Councilman? You look pained.”
“My stomach not agreeing with the food choices, I’m sure.”
Considering I paid the chef to make the meal vegan so Giulia wouldn’t have to look at meat all night, it’s another dig at my wife even if he doesn’t know it. I was not about to tolerate the first offence, but twice in five minutes is too much, even for him.
“Better leave and take care of that stomach, then.”
I give the men my leave before walking to Giulia.
Of fucking course, Addams found his way to her. He’s standing way too close, his own wife nowhere to be seen, and after Carmichael’s words, I’m close to losing my shit and taking it out on whoever will add a fucking drop to the ocean of outrage storming inside me.
Maybe Lewis is right, and that temper of mine will be the end of me. Until then, I need to expel it.
I slide a hand around her waist and to her hips, moulding her soft curves against the plains of my body. Her hands reach behind me and to my ribs like we’ve rehearsed the move a thousand times before. She can say whatever she wants, we fucking fit.
“Addams, I see you’ve met my beautiful wife.”
Giulia’s blush on her cheeks is all I have to do to stop dragging her to a closet and break the vow I just made to myself to let her set our pace.
“I have indeed. What an incredible story you two have. I could have sworn Miss Moretti…”
“It’s Capaldi,” we both say at the same time. I raise an eyebrow while she rolls her eyes, exactly like lovers would. Her acting skills are truly unmatched.