“Oh, they do. Which is why I only did it for a while when I was a kid. My mother wanted me to learn but my father objected.”
I spy Gianna out of the corner of my eye, seated next to Francesca, her head still bowed low. “What happened to your parents?”
“They died.” It’s all he offers me and judging from the hard tone in his voice, that’s all he’s going to say on the matter.
“My mom died. Car accident. I was too young to really remember her but Maksim does. He took it hard.”
“You’re offering up information on your brother to me. Are you sure that’s smart?”
I tighten my hand around his. “We’re married now. We both agreed to peace. You’re not going to hurt my brother again. You better not.”
He lowers his face close to mine and it takes everything inside of me to not pull back… or move in closer. “Are you threatening me, Kira? It’s cute that you would think I’m afraid of you.”
“I know you’re not. But you were afraid enough of a war with the Bratva that you agreed to make peace. And I’m sure it’s because you care for your sister. Just like I care for my brother. So we’re doing this for family. Don’t try to hurt me because if you do, then you will have a war on your hands.”
“I have no plans to torture you… physically that is.”
I stumble and he rights me, pulling me in even closer. I didn’t realize that was even possible. “What do you mean by that?”
“Mentally pushing you will be fun. You have some behaviors I don’t agree with.”
“Like what?”
“Like the fact that you disobeyed me on the wedding dress.”
“It’s my dress.”
“But I’m the one paying for this wedding.”
“So?”
Enzo studies my face for a moment. “You just like a fight, don’t you?”
“I like getting my way. I’m used to it. And I was going to wear the wedding dress of my dreams on my own wedding day. So deal with it.”
“And that’s another thing.” He cups my chin. “Your smart mouth. It’s unappealing.”
“So you shouldn’t have married me then.”
He smirks. “Probably. But you were right about one thing. My ego wouldn’t stand to marry a woman of lesser standing than you. So we’re stuck together forever. And I think it will be interesting.”
“Oh yes. You mentally torturing me for the rest of my life is going to besointeresting.”
“Your sarcasm is cute. But know your place.”
“And you should know yours,” I say, ripping my hands away from him. Our guests all watch us with shocked expressions. This wedding is supposed to be about peace. Not fighting. “I will not bend to your will. That is not the type of person I am. So never expect it. And stop telling me what to do. Our relationship will be so much better if you stop acting like a controlling asshole.”
I storm off the dance floor and take my seat at the head table. Enzo’s lips twist in fury but he doesn’t say a word as he comes to sit down beside me. After a moment, the band resumes playing and guests begin to take to the dance floor.
Francesca – who’s on the other side of Enzo – leans over him to give me her full attention. Just great. “What was that about? That is not how a woman acts on her wedding day.”
I cross my arms and slump in my seat. “It is when she’s married to a jerk.”
“You do not get to speak of my nephew that way.”
Enzo holds up his hand. “Aunt Francesca, that’s enough. I can fight my own battles. But I appreciate the enthusiasm.”
Francesca flushes but sits back in her seat, going quiet. At least that’s one thing Enzo is good for: putting Francesca in her place.
