I hear her chair scrape against the floor. “Whatever, big bro. You’re no fun for an old man.”
“Never said I was anything of the sort. I’m not old, I’m thirty-five. Just behave, and don’t––––” I finally have the courage to step into the room and off the stairs, pretending I was not listening to their whole conversation.
Everyone’s heads whip in my direction. My eyes connect automatically connect to my new husbands. His dark brown ones bore into mine with a small smirk across his full lips.
I clear my throat, and before I can even say good morning, Gianna, I believe, comes barreling over to me and wraps her arms around me, pulling me into a hug. Without being rude, I hug her back. Her hug is warm, welcoming, and loving all in one.
She pulls back and squeaks with excitement. “Hi, I’m Gianna your new sister-in-law and built-in best friend.” Her eyes are the same as her brothers, dark as chocolate. Her hair is the same as Enzo’s, but curlier than his and long. I mean, long. Down to her waist. Gianna’s body in a way mirrors my own, just a little taller than me and I have high wedges one. Curvy. “Sorry, to ambush you just now, but I couldn’t wait to finally meet you. Enzo is such a grump and was trying to let you get more acquainted first, but I couldn’t help myself.” She sounds out of breath like she was trying to get everything out that was going through her head. I immediately adore her and I know Lucia would too.
I smile back at her and say, “Oh, it’s okay! Enzo does not need to speak for me.” I turn my sight on my husband and glare at him and return my gaze back to Gianna. “I can speak for myself and I look forward to our time together.”
Gianna places her hands on her wide curvy hips, smiling at her brother. “I have to say big bro, she is going to keep you on your toes and I’m going to love sitting back watching it happen with my popcorn.”
Enzo who leans against the massive island in the middle of the average size kitchen. For a house this massive, I would have thought the kitchen would be gigantic. Nope. It’s cozy, warm and inviting. The cool colors of a grey-blue on the cabinets, a grey and white granite for the counter tops and the island. White accents are on everything with big massive windows to see every angle of the property.
I try to ignore how Enzo looks right now. Arms crossed in his black button-down shirt, highlighting every one of his muscles. How his black dress pants are sculpted to his thick, strong legs.My gaze avoids his nether region because I felt it against my ass this morning. I was not prepared for that. His hair is perfectly styled and the sides of his head are freshly shaven along with the trimming of his facial hair. It’s still there, but just perfectly manicured.
There are two other people in the kitchen. Well, two other men. One I recognize from our wedding because he got in the same car as us. I don’t remember his name exactly.
The one standing off to the side near Enzo is just as tall as my husband and just as built like a damn house. His hair is curly, like little ringlets all throughout his hair and his eyes are as blue as the ocean. Unlike my Enzo, his face is clean shaven with a deep scowl on his face looking at Gianna. I can see the tug and pull when he looks at her.
I move my gaze to the other man sitting at the kitchen island watching us. He stands out compared to the others. His skin is a lighter shade than mine and the Ricci’s with dirty blond hair that is styled with not a hair out of place. He’s dressed in a sharp black suit, mimicking my husband and the other man. I can’t tell since he is sitting down, but I would have to guess he is tall and is large as a freaking linebacker.
“You look beautiful this morning, Isabella. I hope you slept well.” Enzo breaks my thoughts and sips on his small cappuccino in this hand. It looks like a dollhouse cup in his hands. “I slept very well.” He winks at me.
Asshole.
I stand a little taller, place my hands together in front of me. “If being forced to marry you after you killed my fiancé, and then locking me up in a home I never agreed to right after would allow me to sleep peacefully, then sure, I slept like dead.”
The man next to Enzo tries to cover his laugh with a cough. The eyes of the man sitting at the island eyes bug out of his head, while Gianna cannot control her full-blown laughter.
Enzo’s jaw is tight with his gaze locked on to me and the look of playfulness is long gone.
“I did you a favor.”
My eyes widen at his statement. “You did me a favor? Are you kidding me right now?”
His jaw is tight. “I will repeat this one time and one time only,wife.” He slides one hand into this pant pocket. “You couldn’t stand being near him and that was obvious to anyone with a set of damn eyes.”
“You have no right to make any decisions for me!” I counter back.
He narrows his dark gaze at me. “That I do. I’m your husband, the head of this family and I can make all the decisions I please.”
I roll my eyes with frustration. “You’re ridiculous, you know that? All of you mafia men are the same. Acting like you know is best for everyone when you really don’t. I would have been fine. I can take care of myself.”
I can see a vein that is pulsating on the side of his neck as he sets the cup down a little too firmly on the counter making me jump in place. “Your coffee is near the coffee maker. I had Lorenzo get it this morning.” The man sitting at the island briefly looks up at me and smiles. Lucia would be drooling over how handsome he is.
Gianna breaks the tension by announcing, “I just had the best idea! Isabella let’s go shopping and get some lunch! It would a great way for us to get to know each other without these big bad mafia men hovering over us.”
“Gianna, I already told you no you’re not leaving the house, and neither is–––”
“I’d love to.” I’m done being told what to do. What to say. How to act. How to dress. All of it. I’m done. If Enzo doesn’t like it, then he should have thought twice about marrying me.
Turning to face her, I smile at her eagerness and say, “I would love that. I think that’s a great idea to get out of this house.”
Her lips pull into a big smile. “Great!” She turns to Enzo and says, “I want to be Isabella when I grow up. You have met your match big bro. Finally, someone who does not jump at your commands. This is going to be great!”
Enzo’s voice is deep and commanding when he says, “Lorenzo will be accompanying you. And I swear to fucking God, Gianna, no trying to get rid of him, and try to sneak away from his watch.” His eyes bore into me setting my whole body on fire. “I want and need you home safely.”
