The combination of his rasping voice, demanding words, and that sexy-as-hell suit, does inappropriate things to my temperature. To the place between my legs.
“I’ll be waiting,” I breathe.
He growls, then straightens, looking over the top of my head at the bridesmaids behind me. With a smooth, practised smile—both evil and charming—he nods an acknowledgment to them. “You all look stunning.”
Cassidy picks at her freshly painted pink nail polish, then says, “Frick. I have to stop doing that.” She drops her arms to her sides, flexing her fingers.
Blesk gently shoulder-bumps her. “Food will help.”
Clay smiles at them, then looks at Kaya, his lips thinning. “Try not to burn anything down, Fire Starter.”
She lifts a perfectly plucked brow at him. “I won’t break any laws if you don’t, Mayor Butcher.”
Cassidy stifles a giggle while Shoshanna stares at Kaya with obvious admiration. “Nice lady balls, Kaya,” she blurts out, not the slightest bit wary of Clay, having grown up with him and his brothers. “I like this one. You need a sister-in-law like her, Clay. She’ll keep you humble.”
Clay sighs roughly. “Indeed.”
Staying at my level, so much shorter than he is, I wrap my arm around his forearm to stabilise myself. He pivots and strides into the lobby, guiding me—the girls clipping behind us—across the travertine tiles to the private dining room. I keep my gaze forwards, level.
I cling to his arm as he cuts through the crowd with hispresence, not physical form. Every eye follows our party. Clay Butcher doesn't just own this hotel—he owns this city.
And he owns me.
This reminds me of the final scene in Titanic when Jack and Rose descend the famous staircase. Everyone is positioned along the balustrading, a waterfall of people watching them. Eyes bright. Full of wonder. Almost as if they acknowledge that Jack and Rose are the main characters.
Well, the devil’s prototype, Clay Butcher, is the main character in everyone’s story.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
clay
The rehearsal dinner
“Allowme to show you off, sweet girl.”
While my sisters-in-law dissolve into the crowd to find my brothers, I guide my little deer through the awaiting guests, through the dimly lit restaurant that boasts one of my finest Italian menus in the city. Perhaps the world.
Through the speakers, Dean Martin’sThat’s Amoreplays, provoking half the men in the room to sing along.
My little deer's eyes sweep across the room, taking in every detail of the décor she selected. I’ve been informed by Bolton, Jasmine, and Maggie that she was hesitant to spend money at first. Hesitant to delegate, to make requests, so she leaned heavily on what might please me. She will become accustomed to this level of party planning soon enough. She takes in the custom black velvet dinner menus with the gold-plated outline of the District skyline on the cover, the cigar station, the whiskey tasting, the international chocolate buffet—all touches with me in mind, I’m certain. As I understand it, thereception will be less masculine, a reflection of my little deer’s spirit.
I see her smile at the tables and settings, nodding with approval. That pleases me greatly.
The manager, Antonio, rushes to my side, speaking quietly beside my ear. “Is she happy?” He rubs his hands together nervously.
I lower my voice. “It appears so.”
He sighs with relief and disappears into the kitchen. WhileSapori di Lussois a fine dining experience, it has been refined even further for my Family. Not that I am an exhibitionist, but still— I can entertain the greatest families in Sicily better than any man.
All eyes are on her.
I don’t particularly like it.
Not that I can blame them. She looks stunning—and elegant beyond her usual style. While I truly enjoy my sweet bohemian girl, this regal creature who balances purity and poise may be my complete undoing tonight.
I nod my greeting, not willing to shake any hands at this stage. Steering her towards Alceu and his wife, we step outside onto the terracotta terrace. I note the small of her back tighten, so I spread my fingers out supportively.
Guests part for us.
