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“I didn’t say that.” Aria didn’t need to know how the Bratva had almost gotten me. It wasn’t something I wanted people to know.
Aria rose from the chair, smoothing the long dress out. I was glad she’d chosen something floor-length. It made things easier. People might suspect I’d left my marks on her upper thighs. “Good choice. The dress covers your legs.”
“Someone could lift the skirt and inspect my thighs.”
I had seen the way many men had leered at her yesterday when they thought I wasn’t paying attention. “Someone tries to touch you, they lose their hand.”
Aria’s eyes widened in shock. She’d have to get used to my possessiveness. “Come on.” I led her out into the hallway and closer to the main hall. A few male guests were still in the lobby, but the majority of voices came from the dining room.
Aria stiffened. “Are they all waiting to see a bloody sheet?” Her skin turned red.
“Many of them, especially the women. The men might hope for dirty details; others might hope to talk about business, ask a favor, or get on my good side.”
Aria made no move to descend the stairs, so I nudged her forward gently. We walked down close together and I had to slow my steps considerably to adapt to her shorter legs. I’d never walked hand-in-hand with a woman, so this was something new.
Romero greeted us with a smile. “How are you?” he asked Aria and then looked like he wanted to swallow his tongue.
Asking a bride that kind of question after her first night was definitely inappropriate. I chuckled, but my mood dropped when the gathered men sent me winks and grins. Everyone thought I’d spent the night banging my stunning wife. Aria surprised me when she pressed closer to me. It took me a second to realize she was seeking protection from their attention. I wrapped my arm around her waist and sent them a warning look. They averted their eyes.
“Matteo and the rest of your family are in the dining room,” Romero said.
“Poring over the sheets?”
“As if they could read them like tea leaves,” Romero confirmed, then gave Aria an apologetic look.
“Come.” I led Aria toward the dining room despite her tension. The presentation of the sheets was something we couldn’t evade. Everyone was waiting for us and fell silent when we entered. My father, the Famiglia Underbosses, the Cavallaros and Scuderi had gathered around the dining table. Most of the high-ranking Outfit men had already left with their families this morning to return to their respective territories.
Aria squirmed under the attention. Soon she’d have to face the women who looked like famished dogs with their sights set on a piece of meat. Father nodded toward me with a look in his eyes that made me want to push Aria behind me. Thankfully, Matteo chose that moment to walk up to us, looking a mess with bags under his eyes and stubble. For him, that was the equivalent of a stylish meltdown.
“You look like shit,” I told him as he sipped on his espresso.
Matteo’s eyes darted from me to Aria. “My tenth espresso and I’m still not awake. Drank too much last night.”
“You were trashed. I’d have had your tongue cut out for some of the things you said to Aria if you weren’t my brother.”
Matteo gave Aria a grin. “I hope Luca didn’t do half of the things I suggested.”
Aria blushed furiously and leaned into me once more. I stroked her side in reassurance. She didn’t have to be wary of my brother. She twitched, giving me a surprised look. To be honest, I wasn’t sure why I’d felt the need to console her at all.
“Quite a work of art you presented us,” Matteo said, nodding in the direction of the bloody sheets, causing Aria to stiffen in my embrace.
I searched Matteo’s face, not sure if he suspected I had spared Aria. It couldn’t be because of the sheets, because if something about them looked fake, he would have warned me.
Matteo’s eyes held a knowing gleam. The asshole could read me too well. Father and Fiore waved at us to come over to them. Stifling a groan, I indicated Matteo that I’d have to move to the table. Matteo smiled but didn’t move an inch, obviously not in the mood to talk to them.
Aria followed me toward the table. Her face reflected anxiety, and I could only hope that she’d be able to keep up the charade. The men rose. Father’s leer made me want to drag Aria right back out, but that wasn’t an option.
Scuderi spread his arms and I reluctantly released Aria so he could embrace her. I couldn’t hear what he said, but Aria didn’t look happy about it. Fiore smiled and shook my hand. “It seems you are still satisfied with our choice for you.”
