It’s his turn to sigh. “No.”
“Okay then. Respect my wife, that’s all I want. Make sure the men know it too. She’s completely off limits to everyone. Don’t speak to her, don’t look at her, and no one had better fucking touch her.”
“You’ve made that clear.” He rubs his swollen cheek.
I nod. “Good. Fill me in on what’s been happening around here.”
Wolfe launches into every dealing, incident, and rumor that’s surfaced these last seven days. I murmur and grunt my responses where necessary, trying to keep my mind on task and off of my wet, naked wife upstairs. That honeymoon wasn’t nearly long enough.
“—we have a meeting with Lorenzo Pontrelli tomorrow. On neutral ground, in a private dining room atSpades.”
Back in New York and right back to work. Why am I so irritated about that? I used to bury myself in my work, sometimes not finding my bed for two or more days in a row. Now, it strikes me as a less enjoyable necessity. I’m sure I’ll find my enthusiasm again, once I’ve broken a few noses and negotiated some new, very prosperous deals. As long as I can return each night to my bed and my new bride.
“Did you hear me, boss? Tomorrow night, eight o’clock atSpades.”
I wave him off. “Yeah, I heard you. Confirm the meeting. Anything else?”
“That’s it for now.” Wolfe hesitates before saying, “With all the trouble we were having with some of the gambling dens I’m just glad no one tried to interfere with your wedding. As much as I hate the Italians, we need this alliance. Lost too many good men.”
I bob my head in agreement. Someone had been fucking with my business up until a month before the wedding date, then they went silent, and seemingly disappeared. It’s possible they met with an accident, or pissed someone else off and were taken out. Either way is fine with me as long as they don’t come back round again.
CHAPTER 11
Ravenna
The next day, I explore my new home. Cian’s house is more like a military fortress than a cozy living space. Everything is white and grey, stone and stainless steel, it’s uninviting to say the least. At first glance, I’m unsure of how I might improve the place, but as I continue to wander, my imagination comes alive with the possibilities.
Of course, I’m not an interior designer, but I know for a fact that I’d like to hire one. ASAP.
This poor house is begging to come to life with some color. A fresh coat of paint on the walls would do wonders. Maybe replace the tile floors with wood?
I round a corner on the main floor and come face-to-face with Cian’s second-in-command, who was also his best man at the wedding. Wolfe.
Immediately, I stop. I don’t like the way he looked at me when we first arrived. There was something calculating and cold in his eyes.
Similar to how he’s looking at me right now from where he stands rooted in place.
“What?” I snap, irritated at how his stare makes me so uncomfortable.
His thick brows lift toward his hairline. “You really aren’t timid, are you? Any other woman encountering me alone in a hallway would at least pretend to be polite. For her own sake. It’s called self-preservation.”
“I don’t have any patience for rude men who stare.” I fold my arms, partly in annoyance but also to brace myself. Wolfe is not a small man. He’s brawny, older than Cian by at least a decade, and radiates danger. Celtic knot designs ink both sides of his neck.
I hate to think of how many people he’s murdered, many of themmifamiglia.
Wolfe takes one step closer, but I don’t budge. “I’m only staring because I’m trying to figure out what spell you’ve put on Cian. He hates women, especially red haired, pretty ones. Only tolerates them when they’re on their backs with their legs spread.”
His vulgar words slide beneath my skin. I open my mouth to respond, but he cuts me off.
“Whatever sorcery you’ve done to him, I want you to know that if he comes to any harm I will slit your throat myself. I’ll make all those terrible stories you’ve heard about us Irish come true for you.”
His threats give me pause. He’s afraid thatI’mgoing to hurt Cian? I’d never do such a thing, at least not intentionally.
“You have nothing to worry about,” I assure him. Even if I don’t like this man, at least he seems to be utterly loyal to Cian.
“We’ll see about that, sorceress.” He strides past me, his shoulder bumping mine.
Stronzo.
