Marco noticed.His gaze flicked down to where Dante’s hand had disappeared beneath the tablecloth, then back up to my face.His smile widened.
“I hope I’m not interrupting anything,” he said pleasantly.
“Not at all.”Dante’s voice remained conversational, but his grip tightened.His thumb found the worst of the bruises and circled it with deliberate pressure.“We were just discussing business.Family business.”
The emphasis on family was subtle but clear.You’re not family.You have no place here.
Marco’s smile didn’t falter.“Of course.I wouldn’t dream of intruding on family matters.”He accepted wine from a hovering servant, took a sip, his gaze still fixed on me.“Though I must admit, I’m curious how you’re adjusting to married life, Caterina.It must be quite different from what you’re used to.”
My pulse kicked up.Dante’s fingers pressed harder against the bruises, and I had to work to keep my expression neutral.The pain mixed with something else entirely -- something that made heat pool low in my belly even as my hands wanted to shake.
“It’s been an adjustment,” I managed, my voice steadier than I felt.“But a welcome one.”
“How fortunate.”Marco’s tone suggested he didn’t believe me at all.“I’m sure Dante is taking very good care of you.”
Dante’s hand slid higher on my thigh, still hidden by the tablecloth, still pressing against bruises that were evidence of exactly how he took care of me.I felt my breath go shallow.
“Very good care,” I confirmed.
Across from us, Francesca was watching the entire exchange with barely concealed amusement.Papa looked like he wanted to throw Marco out but couldn’t without causing a scene.Mama had gone pale.Luca was staring at his plate like the veal held answers to the universe’s mysteries.
And Marco just kept smiling, his gaze moving between me and Dante like he was watching a show staged for his entertainment.
“Well then,” he said, raising his glass in a mock toast.“To family.Both old and new.”
Nobody drank to that.
But Dante’s grip on my thigh tightened one more time -- a reminder, a warning, a promise -- before his hand finally slid away, leaving me aching and confused and far too aware of how my body was responding to his possession even in the middle of this disaster.
This dinner was going to be a bloodbath.
And part of me couldn’t wait to see what would happen next.
“The veal is exceptional.”Marco cut into his meat with precise movements.“Your chef truly outdoes himself, Giuseppe.”
“Marco has always appreciated fine cuisine.”Papa lifted his wine glass.“Among other refined tastes.”
The comment landed with deliberate weight.
“Indeed.”Marco’s gaze slid to me, lingering just long enough to make his point.“Though some tastes evolve.What seems desirable at first can lose its appeal upon closer inspection.”
My stomach clenched.I reached for my water glass with a hand that wanted to shake but didn’t because I refused to give him the satisfaction.
“Fortunate, then,” Dante said, his voice carrying that dangerous quiet I’d learned to recognize, “that my wife’s appeal only grows with closer inspection.”
Mama coughed delicately into her napkin.Luca’s fork clattered against his plate.
Marco’s smile widened.“Of course.Congratulations again on your marriage.Such a… swift arrangement.One might say impulsive.”
“One might say decisive,” Dante corrected.“I saw what I wanted and claimed it.Some men hesitate.I don’t.”
The servers appeared with the next course.I felt grateful for the momentary distraction from the testosterone-fueled pissing contest happening around me.
“I hear the De Luca shipments have been… inconsistent lately.”Marco speared a piece of food with his fork but didn’t eat it, just gestured with it like a pointer.“Problems with the northern routes, wasn’t it?Perhaps marriage has softened your edge, Dante.Divided your focus.”
My pulse kicked up.I felt Dante go very still beside me, that predatory stillness that preceded violence.
“My shipments run exactly as scheduled,” Dante said.“Perhaps you’re confusing my operations with your own difficulties.I heard the Vitale family lost three shipments last month.Careless.”
