“Aria could eat her alive,” Maximo’s voice sounded amused.
I watched them.
I frowned. “But she’s not.” I could see Sophie on edge by her stiff posture, blank expression in place, but talking neutrally with Aria. The next thing I knew, a tall skinny man approached, draping his arm across the back of Aria’s shoulder, leaning in towards my wife.
He spoke to Sophie, then leaned into Aria and appeared to be whispering something to her. Then Aria faced Sophie with a gleam in her eyes. She said something to Sophie, whose eyes got wide, mouth hanging open, her body going rigid. Her eyes moved back and forth between Aria and the man. The man leaned in, blocking my view of my wife and said something to her, before pulling back. Sophie’s face was flushed, looking embarrassed.
The man moved around and put an arm on Sophie’s back, as she looked up at him with a soft expression.
“Who the fuck is that asshole who has his damn hands on my wife?”
Maximo chuckled. “Relax Dom. That’s just Aria’s cousin. And he’s gay.”
That made me relax, but I was still on edge. I didn’t need Aria being a bad influence on Sophie.
“Besides, I thought your marriage was just an arrangement.”
I didn’t say anything, because ever since I saw my wife this evening in that damned dress, I’ve been rethinking a lot of things about this marriage.
I was considering approaching them to ensure Sophie was safe from Aria, when I caught movement. Serena was heading in their direction.
“Shit!”
“What?”
“Sophie’s sister is heading their way. I need to intervene.”
He put a hand on my arm. I looked up at him agitated. He had a glint in his eyes.
“Let’s watch and see what happens first.”
I didn’t like the sound of that, but I stood by to see how it would play out.
Serena ignored Sophie, which pissed me off. The cousin didn’t seem very impressed with Serena, and Sophie had her blank expression back in place.
But I was not expecting what happened next.
Aria, in a loud voice, said, “Listen here tramp. Just because you rode my husband’s dick like the skank you are, doesn’t give you the right to come up to me and act like you're a queen.”
I heard Maximo mutter, “Fuck.”
“You’re not. I’m the fucking queen here. You get me?” Serena had stepped back by this point, her face pale, mouth hanging open, eyes darting around. “And do yourself a favor and don’t ever speak to Sophie again.Capisce? Or I will have to deal with you myself.”
I looked at Sophie, who had her head turned and looking downward, but I could almost see the smile on her face.
Hmmm,mi fiammetta,liked that. And now she had Aria Ruiz at her back. Just fucking great!
Chapter 4
Sophie’s POV
I was dreading the night of the gala. Not because of the people, but because of the dressing prior. I had not been joking with Dominic when I had said the focus had always been on Serena when an event was coming up. She was so needy and dramatic for attention, that I was unsure if she intentionally stole the majority of our “primping team’s” time so I would have practically no time of theirs, or if she was just that high maintenance and into perfection. I wouldn’t doubt if it had been both reasons. I stopped being invited to events over the past two years, and to be honest, it didn’t bother me in the least. All that poking, prodding, yanking, and pulling with the end result always being, “At least you look presentable.” And it was always said with disdain by my father. My mother would smile proudly at me, but would not say a word against my father. I honestly gave up on my mother’s support years ago. It was truly sad, but she made her bed and accepted it.
When Valentina arrived at the mansion in a flourish, I expected negativity and criticism. I got none. I actually got the complete opposite.
He spoke with his hands, even when he wasn’t literally speaking.
“Bellissima.”
