"Then you better get started." She deliberately clenches around me. "Husband."
The word shoots straight to my cock. I growl, spinning her around to face the wall again.
"Hands flat. Legs spread. And Sophia?" I lean close to her ear. "Scream as loud as you want. Let everyone know exactly who you belong to."
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
Sophia
The ballroom glitters and I stand at its center with Lorenzo's arm around my waist. My face aches from smiling. Every crime family in Chicago surrounds us, raising champagne glasses to toast our union while calculating how to use it to their advantage.
"Such a beautiful couple," Chiara Benedetti coos. "Francesco would've been so proud."
My uncle's name sits like acid on my tongue. He's been dead less than a week, and here they all stand, pretending grief while measuring the power vacuum he left behind. Lorenzo's fingers tighten against my hip. A silent warning to stay calm.
"Thank you, Mrs. Benedetti." My voice comes out sweet, practiced. "We appreciate your support during this difficult time."
The old woman's lips curve. "Of course, dear. Family must stick together." She drifts away, no doubt to whisper poison in someone else's ear.
Lorenzo leans down, his breath warm against my ear. "You're doing perfectly, piccola."
Before I can respond, the Corelli brothers approach. Marco and Luca, twins who inherited their father's territory and his cruelty. They don't bother hiding their assessment of me.
"Lorenzo," Marco says, extending his hand. "Congratulations. Though we were surprised by the... speed of your courtship."
"When you know, you know." Lorenzo's tone stays pleasant, but I feel the tension coiling through his body.
Luca's gaze slides to me. "And now the new Mrs. Sartori inherits Francesco's empire. How convenient."
Heat floods my cheeks, but I lift my chin. "My uncle's business affairs will be handled appropriately. The Torrino name will continue to honor its agreements."
"Will it?" Marco's smile shows too many teeth. "Because we had certain... understandings with Francesco. Arrangements that benefited both families."
"Any legitimate business arrangements will be reviewed." Lorenzo's voice drops, acquiring that dangerous edge I've learned to recognize. "Through proper channels."
The twins exchange glances. Some silent communication passes between them before Luca speaks again. "Perhaps we should discuss this privately. Tomorrow?"
"Perhaps." Lorenzo doesn't commit, already dismissing them with his body language.
They melt back into the crowd, and I exhale slowly. Every conversation feels like navigating a minefield. These people smell blood in the water.
"Sophia!"
I turn to find Marina pushing through the crowd, Vittoria close behind. My best friend looks stunning in emerald green, though her smile wavers when she reaches us.
"You okay?" she whispers, squeezing my hand.
"Perfect," I lie.
Lorenzo's hand slides from my waist. "I need to speak with some men. Stay with Marina and Vittoria."
He crosses the ballroom toward a cluster of men near the bar, and I watch him go, already missing his solid presence beside me. The sharks circle differently when he's not here to bare his teeth.
"Finally," Marina mutters, then catches herself. "Sorry, I didn't mean?—"
"It's okay." I study her face, noting the tension around her eyes, the way she keeps glancing at the exits. "Are you okay? We haven't really talked lately, not properly."
Marina's laugh comes out brittle. "Define okay."
