"Shut up."
"You've just proven my point."
Rolling my eyes and shaking my head, I sighed. "I know it's not how it's done, but I'm not just another wife. There's so much more I can do than host dinner parties and fluff the drapes."
"I have staff to fluff the drapes, and I hate dinner parties. If anything ever happened to you, amore, I wouldn't be able to live with it. But I wouldn't mind your input. You're right, you infiltrated a lot of places, and people trusted you because they thought you didn’t matter. Word will get around, and there will be a target on your back, but we'll deal with that when it happens." His voice had changed to a whisper, and I looked up to him. His eyes were closed, eyebrows furrowed together, and it seemed like someone had taken his best friend. Like he was imagining the worst.
"Thank you." My heart felt lighter knowing I was useful to him. "You know all you have to do is say the word and I'll be there standing with you."
"I know and thank you. You have no idea how much I appreciate your loyalty." He kissed the top of my head, his lips warm against my hair.
Loyalty, that was it. What this life was built on. My vow of loyalty was more important than our marriage vows. The realization settled over me, heavy and final. I belonged to him now, not just as a wife, but as a soldier in his army.
CHAPTER 22
NICO
Glancing at my watch,I felt increasingly annoyed with each sweep of the second hand. She was late, ten minutes late. Mistakes happen when people don't follow the schedule. Pulling at the lapels of my jacket, I was ready to march up the stairs when I saw her, standing at the top.
She was a vision standing there in the burgundy dress chosen for her. The colour was deep and rich like aged wine, with the fabric catching the light with every slight movement. Emilia floated down the stairs, the light cape attached to her shoulders cascading behind her. The rose pendant that had belonged to my mother was the perfect accessory, perched on her chest, with the diamonds glinting against her skin.
"I'm sorry I'm late, there was a problem with the zipper." She smiled up at me.
"You're forgiven." The lights caught the shimmering beads on the dress, and the plunging neckline offered a delicate glimpse of her breasts' curve. That was a mistake, something I would need to pay more attention to when her shoppers picked clothing. Every man in that ballroom would be staring. "You look amazing." I reached for her coat and draped it over hershoulders. The black cashmere settled perfectly over the gown. Holding out my hand, she placed hers in mine, and we headed out to the car.
The venue was crawling with people, photographers lining the streets trying to get a glimpse of the Chicago elite. Flash bulbs popped like fireworks, voices calling out names. Our car crawled along until we pulled to a stop. My door was opened, and I got out and reached back in for Emilia. She shrugged off her coat as she stepped out of the car, looking up at me, smiling. The cameras went wild, the flashes creating a strobe effect. We both knew there would be eyes on us, and if there were any hint of unrest between us, it would be picked up on.
We walked up the red carpet, stopping occasionally to have a picture taken. The carpet was actual crimson velvet, flanked by white roses in massive arrangements. I clamped my hand around Emilia's waist and pulled her close. "I almost think you like this," I said through my forced smile.
"About as much as I like your hand on my waist."
"Come now, amore, you're not still mad at me."
"Still, never stopped taking your pick." She shrugged, and I looked down at her as she looked up at me, beaming, her eyes dancing with humour, and all I wanted to do was take her right now. Finally, we were through the doors and out of the cameras' view.
"We might be inside, but we're still in the zoo," I mumbled, and I looked at the frown crossing Emilia's face. The foyer was opulent, all marble and gold, with massive crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. "Still on display, still in the cage letting people watch our every move." I didn't miss the slight nod she gave me before wrapping her hand around my arm, smiling.
"Well, then we might as well give them a show." She bumped me with her hip, and I shook my head.
"Behave yourself, wife."
"Oh, don't worry, I won't."
"If you don't, I will make you pay when we get home."
"Relax, Nico, I'm not about to cause trouble, even though I could." She winked and pulled me along into the ballroom and found our table easily. The ballroom was breathtaking, all white and gold with thousands of candles creating a warm glow. Ice sculptures adorned the buffet tables, and champagne flowed from fountains. I hated coming here, but the large donations I made to this hospital ensured that law enforcement was never called when my men needed more attention, so it was a necessary evil.
The evening wore on, and I'd lost my wife somewhere. I was pulled into pointless conversations every time I turned around. Someone wanted information about the downtown building my architecture firm designed, and someone else wanted to know whether the skyscraper on West Monroe would have space available for rent. The constant chatter buzzed in my ears, and I grew increasingly alert that Emilia wasn't in the room.
Excusing myself from the interrogation, I went to the table and set my drink down. Crystal clinked against the white tablecloth.
Me: Where are you?
A buzzing sound came from the chair beside me. I felt around and found the clutch that matched her dress. "Fuck." I mumbled under my breath.
Me: Antonio, where's Emilia?
The text bubbles popped up almost immediately.
