I follow her gaze to our husbands heading towards us. Both have their gazes set on their wives as they march through the crowd. Matthias looks dotingly upon his, whereas my husband looks calculated and cunning. Something tells me Margot’s little fights with Matthias weren’t quite as… bloody as ours.
Matthias grabs Margot and pulls her into his side. He places a kiss on her head and wraps an arm around her. She giggles which brings a soft smile to his face. I don’t catch what she whispers in his ear, because, suddenly, there are hands on my waist pulling me back.
I stomp on my assailant’s foot then pull my elbow into their stomach. I reel back, ready for more of a fight, when a husky voice fills my ears.
“Tiger, as much as I’d love to pin you down and prove how much stronger I am than you, now’s not the time.”
I take a step back until my back is flushed against his chest. I can feel his exhale. Then his hands trail closer together until they’re intertwined on my abs. My breath gets caught in my throat. We haven’t been this close since family dinner on Sunday. I’m so caught up in the feeling of him that I don’t register the church emptying until I hear a snicker.
Margot and Matthias are watching us. Margot looks at me knowingly, but Matthias stares at his brother like a puzzle he’s trying to solve. Margot wiggles her brows suggestively, and my cheeks flush. I step forward, breaking our contact.
“Shouldn’t we go to the reception now?” My voice is higher than normal as I try to collect myself.
Dominic nods and leads me out of the church with his palm on the small of my back. I try not to overthink the gesture. He’s just treating his wife as a husband should in public. This doesn’t mean he wants to touch me.
We drive to the reception with Margot and Matthias. I’m thankful for the company keeping us distracted. Margot dominates the conversation, but I don’t mind. Her voice becomes background noise to my thoughts.
When we arrive at the reception, Dominic walks around the car and opens my door for me without being prompted. I grin at him, pleased that I’ve trained him well.
“Looks like I can teach an old dog new tricks,” I whisper gleefully in his ear.
“I don’t know if I should be more offended by being called old or being compared to a dog?” he rumbles back. I just smirk and elbow him teasingly.
The reception goes smoothly for a few hours. I notice the Montclair brothers and the Syndicate guards checking the entrances occasionally. I realize Margot might’ve had reason to suspect the guards were here for our safety.
“Hey bellissima, can I get you a drink?” I turn to see a guy close to my age standing behind me. I look around, surprised to see he’s talking to me.
“Oh, no thank you.” I decline in a sweet voice.
“What’s your name?” he relents. He seems like a nice guy, but unfortunately for him, my husband isn’t one.
“I’m Katerina Montclair, Roman’s sister-in-law.” I offer him my hand to shake, obviously displaying my wedding band. Dominic needs to get me a loud engagement ring to avoid these situations.
“I’m Mateo, Cecilia’s cousin on her mother’s side. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He steps back, a clear sign that he’s no longer hitting on me. I release my breath and smile at him. “It’s such a nice event. The Montclair family seems so kind.”
The Montclairs being described as kind instead of ruthless makes my lips twitch. I fight to contain my laugh. This poor man has no idea what his cousin married into.
“I’m blessed to be married into such a good family.” There’s more truth in that statement than I expected.
“They put on a great party. I mean, did you see the cake?” He points to where it stands tall next to us. He seems so excited, and I realize he must not go to many events like these often.
“It looks really good–” My words get stuck in my throat as I’m yanked back into a hard chest. I see Mateo’s eyes widening as he takes a few more steps back, and I instantly know who’s holding me.
“Mateo, meet Dominic Montclair my–”
“Herhusband. If I ever find you flirting with my wife again, I won’t stop until you’re begging for death’s sweet escape.” Dominic’s voice is lethal as it slices through the air.
Mateo visibly pales, then scurries across the room.
I roll my eyes and grit my teeth as I break free from Dominic.
“How dare you treat me like property! I’m allowed to converse with other men!” I seethe at him.
“How dareme?How dareyouflirt with some guy as though you aren’tmy wife!Don’t make me remind you of what I’ll do to any man that tries to get your attention.” Dominic’s shaking in his fury. His ears are red, as are his cheeks.
“You don’t get to control me! I don’t listen to you. Haven’t you learned that yet?” My fury matches his own as his eyes narrow.
“What I’ve learned is that you’re a brat. What you need to learn is that you’re mine. My wife! And no other man gets any part of you!” He points his finger at me accusingly when he calls me a brat, then he points it back at himself, violently jerking it towards himself every time he claims me as his.
