“It’s a disaster.”
“Kismet.”
“Calamity,” she hurls without missing a beat.
“Providence,” I volley back.
“Misfortune,” she hisses.
“Entertaining as this is, I feel someone needs to be the adult around here,” Ben says, fighting a grin.
“What’s going on, Massimo?” Gabriele asks, moving around to my side. “Is this wedding happening or not?”
“Yes,” I blurt the same time she says, “No.”
I slap a hand over my chest as I smirk at her. “You wound me,mia amata.”
“Donotcall me that. I am not your anything.”
I press my lips to her ear again. “Not yet, but you will be.” I straighten up and flash her a cocky look that has her rolling her eyes.
“Dinner won’t be served for a while,” Sierra says, injecting herself into the conversation. “Perhaps you two should go for a walk to discuss the situation in private.”
Ben slides his arm around her waist, tugging her into his side as he pins proud eyes on her. I have had the pleasure of meeting the woman who tamed Don Mazzone a few times over the years, and she is as smart as she is empathetic and beautiful.
“What a superb idea.” Winding my hand around Catarina’s, I pull her into my side. She glares at me, attempting to remove her fingers from my grasp, but I hold on tighter, refusing to let her go. The asshole who was with her at the airport straightens up, his hand automatically moving to the empty holster at his hip. I return his glare and some.
“There are some walking trails in the forest over there.” Sierra points around the far side of the house. “The paths are well lit.”
“Perfect. Thank you.” I look down at the woman simmering with rage at my side. “Shall we?”
“Oh, I get a choice now, do I?” Hostility bleeds into her tone.
“I will be right behind you,” the dick says in a barely concealed venomous tone.
“That won’t be necessary.” I drill him with a challenging look. “I am pretty certain my wife-to-be has a concealed weapon somewhere on her person, and she assured me before she knows how to use it.”
Ben stiffens at my words, opening his mouth to say something, but I subtly shake my head, silently conveying I’ve got this and he has nothing to worry about. He offers me a curt nod, clamping his lips shut.
“It’s fine, Renzo,” Catarina says, cautioning him to back down with a pointed look. “He won’t hurt me.” She looks up at me. “If he tries, he will soon learn the error of his ways.”
I chuckle under my breath. She’s every bit the spitfire I remember. Something akin to excitement flows through my veins for the first time in a very long time.
“I have armed men all over my property,” Ben says, looking at Renzo as he speaks, but the message is for the woman still trying to wrest her hand from my grip. “Nothing will happen. They will ensure it.”
“Come have a drink,” a pretty blonde with bouncy curls says, looping her arm through Renzo’s. She shoots me a curious look. “Our queen knows how to handle herself.”
“Let’s go.” Catarina leads me forward, and I raise no objection.
Gabe lifts a brow in amusement as we walk off, leaving the gathering behind.
The second we are out of sight, she digs her long nails into my palm in an unexpected move. My hold on her loosens, and she withdraws her hand. Spinning around, she shoves me with more strength than I would’ve believed, pushing me up against the wall at the back of Ben’s house.
“I like where this is going.” I waggle my brows and grin at her.
“Shut the fuck up.” She prods one slim finger into my chest. “Let’s get one thing straight, Massimo.”
“Fuck! Say my name again.” I cut across whatever she was about to say.
