How can I be both types of man at once?
Leaving Elena’s side, I approach Wolfe and the men who’ve turned out to welcome me home. I clap Wolfe on the back and nod in greeting to the rest of them.
“It’s good to have you back, boss,” Wolfe says. “It’s been a long week without you.”
“Nothing you couldn’t handle, I’m sure.”
“True.” His gaze slides to Elena, and I bristle. I don’t like the way he’s assessing her now that she’s no longer covered up in a long bridal veil. Now that she belongs to me.
He smirks. “So that’s the Italian bitch, huh? Pretty little thing?—”
Blinding rage overtakes my every thought.
My punch strikes his jaw. He stumbles backward, shock written across his features. Any other man would have gone down from the impact, but not Wolfe, he’s a seasoned fighter and knows how to take a hit—even one as unexpected as that.
“What the fuck, Cian?” He rubs his reddening jaw.
“Don’twhat the fuckme, Wolfe. That’smy wife! You’ll talk about her with respect. Or better yet, don’t talk about her at all, don’t even fucking look at her. Have I made myself clear?” I snarl, waiting for Wolfe’s reluctant nod before glaring at the other men. They murmur their acknowledgment. “Good.”
I drape my arm possessively around Elena’s shoulders, holding her close. I give my men one more pointed look, then usher us toward the front door. This is home.
“I don’t think that was a good idea,” Elena whispers. “Your men will only hate me more if they think you’re choosing me over them.”
“No they won’t. They just needed a reminder to mind their manners. Don’t worry,broc meala,you’re my wife and they will show you the respect you deserve. Now, let’s do this properly.” At the door, I pick her up, bridal style, and carry her across the threshold. She laces her fingers behind my neck, tugging me down for a sweet kiss. Damn, I needed that.
“Welcome to your new home, darling. I want you to make it your own. Anything your heart desires, you will have it.”
“Really?” She glances around before her gaze returns to me. “There’s only one thing I want right now.”
“What’s that?”
“You still haven’t told me whatbroc mealameans.”
Taking the stairs two at a time, I grin down at her, knowing she’s going to hate this as much as she loves it.
“Broc mealameans honey badger.”
She scoffs. “You’ve been calling me honey badger this whole time?”
“Yeah.”
“I want a different nickname, or endearment, or whatever that’s supposed to be.” She pouts and I tease my nose across hers.
“You’re my little honey badger. It’s stuck, and I’m not changing it. The description fits too well.”
She opens her mouth to protest, and I capture her lips with my own.
“I’ve never seen you so pussy-whipped.” Wolfe catches up to me in my home office when I leave Elena to soak in thebathtub, alone. Her body needs the rest after this past week. Especially considering what I’m fantasizing about doing to her as soon as she’s recovered enough.
I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose. “I’m not pussy-whipped, I’m married. There’s a difference.”
“One week with that Italian…woman, and you’ve grown soft. I’ve never seen you look at a woman the way you look at her. Not since…” Thankfully he doesn’t finish that thought aloud. “What’s going on?”
I grit my teeth, irritated at having to explain myself. Normally I wouldn’t, but Wolfe deserves that much after how hard I hit him earlier. In front of the men, too.
“Turns out I like her. Since I’m going to spend the rest of my life with her, I don’t see that as a bad thing. And I haven’t grown soft.” I eye him. “Do we need to take this discussion into the ring?”
Wolfe and I are quite equally matched in a fight. But sometimes it’s the only way to settle our differences. With fists and blood.
