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"Hello, Bernardi."
We both turn around at the sound of the voice.
A man stands before me, tall, dark, and handsome, with tattoos peeking out from under his suit. He's part of another famiglia my family has ties with, the Lombardis.
But I don't like Nico one fucking bit, and I make sure to show it as I snarl a hello at him.
"Where is your bride?" Nico asks with a smirk. "This surely isn't her? Aren't you Marzia Da Costa?"
"Yes." Marzia nods.
"Yes?" Nico smirks. "You should teach your toy some fucking manners, Adrian. That's not how you address a man above you in stature."
"She doesn't need behavioral lessons, least of all from you," I seethe at the man. "Now, move along."
"Now, now, now, Adrian, what would your father think if he knew you were treating a business partner this way?" Nico scoffs. "I don't think he'd be pleased at all. You should show me some respect, both of you."
"I don't need lessons either," I spit out. "Move along if you don't want to cause a ruckus."
He gives me a crooked smile. "Relax, I'm just trying to find out more about this lovely lady. She isn't your fiancée, right?"
"No," I finally admit.
Marzia takes a step closer to me as Nico's wandering eyes drink in her body in that dress that I'm now finding much too tight for an occasion like this.
"So then, Marzia…" He winks at her. "You are available, aren't you?"
"Available for what?" Marzia asks.
Before Nico can reply, I step in front of Marzia, hiding her behind me. "I suggest you take a walk to cool off, Lombardi," I hiss. "She's not available in the slightest, and if I see you trying anything with her, you can kiss your fucking dick goodbye."
He laughs loudly. "Dio, no need to be so defensive, Bernardi. She's a beautiful girl. You can't blame a man for trying, can you? And since you're marrying Nicoletta Carlucci, you might as well share this little toy with the rest of your guests. It would be the only polite thing to do."
"She's not available," I growl.
"Says who?"
"Says me."
"And me."
We all look to find my father standing next to us.
Nico's behavior changes in a split second and he returns to being the kiss-ass I know him to be. "Ah, Signore Bernardi, how nice to see you," he rushes to say. "I was inquiring about this lovely young lady here... I can only imagine what a burden she is on your family and I was merely offering to take her off your hands—"
"She's not available," Father says calmly. "She's my son's property and I believe he's been plenty clear about not wanting to give her up."
"Of course." Nico smiles tersely. "But if you do ever change your mind... You know where to find me." His eyes drink in Marzia one last time.
I fight the urge to punch the smirk off his face. He walks away and I step aside, allowing Marzia more space.
She breathes a sigh of relief.
Father watches me with a thunderous expression. "What the fuck were you thinking?" he hisses. "The Lombardis are an important ally, you can't treat them that way. You're testing my patience, Adrian."
"He was treating Marzia like a piece of meat," I hiss. "All of these people are. They need to know she's off the fucking market."
"Maybe Marzia doesn't agree," Father muses. "And this might be the perfect opportunity to find her a husband and get her off our hands once and for all."
I grab Marzia's hand roughly and pull her against me while my eyes shoot daggers at Father. "How many times do I have to fucking say it? She's mine. No one else can have her. And if someone tries, I'm not responsible for my actions."
Father glares at me before groaning and running his fingers through his hair. "Fine, have it your way. But you can't keep her a captive forever. The girl deserves a life of her own." He walks off, leaving Marzia alone with me.
I realize my hand is still in hers and I pull it back, glaring at her as if all this is somehow her fault.
"You're very possessive today," she says with the hint of a smile.
"I just don't like those men looking at you like you're a piece of fucking meat."
"Oh, but you're allowed to do it?" Her eyes sparkle with amusement. She's not trying to rile me up, she's just messing with me.
It's actually kind of cute, and if I didn't have a raging hard on from seeing her in that sin of a dress, I might go along with it. But not now, not with everyone's eyes on us. "Dinner's starting. We better get to the table."
A large banquet room has been prepared for today's occasion. Marzia and I sit together, me at the head of the table with her to my right.
