“He is more concerned about Anais,” Natalia adds. “She’s…volatile at the best of times, and this has the potential to send her over the edge.”
Sierra snorts. “That’s more polite bullshit. Anais is a freaking nightmare, and she’s going to milk this drama for as long as she can get away with it.”
“Sierra!” Nat motions in my direction. “Catarina is friends with Anais.”
Sierra lifts her chin and eyeballs me. “From what I’ve seen, you appreciate directness. I won’t pretend to understand how you two are friends when you appear to have nothing in common, but I don’t judge you for it. However, I won’t lie and tell you I like her when I don’t. She has always been cruel to me without justification. She flirted outrageously with Ben for years and manipulated things to try to cause trouble in our relationship. I know she was close to her father, and she’s genuinely upset, but she’s still putting on a show. She can’t help it. She craves attention as badly as I crave dick.”
I almost choke on my tongue as we walk along the little stone path transecting the grass, nearing the marquee.
“You used to be such a sweet innocent thing. Look how my brother has corrupted you,” Nat says, failing to hide her grin.
Sierra shrugs casually, but there’s a wicked glint in her eye. “Ben can corrupt me anytime, though it’s more he has helped to coax my true persona to the surface.” As if he has supersonic hearing, Bennett turns around and pins his wife with a devilish look that promises lots of fun times.
Sierra giggles as Nat loops her arm through mine. “Those two are always so hot for one another.” She smiles fondly at her sister-in-law. “I love how happy you have made my brother. It’s all I ever wanted for him.”
“He makes me so happy too,” she says, positively glowing.
Massimo, Fiero, Ben, and Leo walk into the marquee ahead of us, but my husband slows down. Stopping, he looks over his shoulder at me. I walk toward him. Immediately, he pulls me into his arms and kisses me. When we break apart, his eyes probe mine silently asking if I’m okay.
I press my mouth to his ear. “I’m fine. Go talk business.” For once, I’m happy to stay with the wives, gossiping and enjoying the food and drink our hosts have laid out. Massimo can talk the talk with the assholes in suits and update me later.
“We’re not the only happy wives, Nat,” Sierra says, grabbing my hand and pulling me over to an empty table on our right. “Spill, girlfriend. How is married life?”
I claim a seat to Sierra’s right, and Nat sits down beside me. “We want all the salacious details,” Nat says. “I bet it’s explosive between you. No one missed those sparks that first night at dinner.”
“And that wedding kiss?” Sierra fans her face. “Ho-lee fucking hotness. I totally creamed my panties! I was so turned on I dragged Ben into the bathroom when we arrived at the hotel and fucked his brains out.”
We all burst out laughing, and I feel eyeballs on the back of my head. Looking over my shoulder, I see my husband smiling in my direction. He likes this for me. And I do too. It’s impossible not to like these women, and I need more friends.
“You two are hilarious,” I say, wiping the tears from my eyes when I’ve stopped laughing. “We probably shouldn’t be having so much fun at a funeral,” I add, sensing some disapproving looks.
“Fuck them.” Nat turns and glares at the couple at the next table. “At least we’re keeping it real unlike the rest of these fake-holes.”
“Oh my God.” I crack up laughing again.
“Quit stalling, girlfriend. How are things going with you and Massimo?” Sierra asks, a more serious expression appearing on her face.
“Things are good actually.” I can’t stop the smile that appears, nor do I want to. “I entered into it determined to keep things professional, but it was impossible when I was already half in love with him.”
“Aww.” Sierra props her elbows on the table and rests her face in her hands. “I just love hearing that.”
“He’s sexy as fuck,” Nat says. “If he was mine, I’d be climbing him like a tree twenty-four-seven.”
I toss my head back and laugh again. “If we weren’t so busy, that would totally be happening, trust me.” I nudge her in the side. “You are one to talk. Leo is the full package too.”
She looks over at her husband with an instant dreamy expression. “He so is. I have loved him for most of my life. I never take him for granted because I spent years longing for him and wishing he was mine. Most days, I pinch myself that this is my life.” The brightest smile stretches across her mouth. “When you have spent years living a nightmare, you learn to cherish every moment of the dream.”
“I couldn’t agree more.”
“I love love,” Sierra croons, staring at Ben with starry eyes. “It’s the most amazing feeling in the world, and we are lucky bitches.”
“They are lucky too,” Nat reminds her.
“I never thought I would have this,” I admit. “Even with all this shit with the Russians, I still wake up with a smile on my face, and it’s everything to do with the man waking up alongside me.”
“Oh, God. I’m going to cry.” Sierra wells up as her sister Serena approaches.
“What did I miss?” Serena asks, claiming the seat beside her sister as Sierra begins to fill her in.
