Page 40 of The Viper's Wife

“I hadn’t realized Alessia ran an art gallery,” Valeria says to the other woman.

“Yes, she’s clearly an art lover,” Giorgia says.

I snort. “She thinks most art is bullshit.” I turn toward Valeria. “But I bet she’d love to see your collages. Alessia is all for female empowerment.”

Valeria holds my gaze with a wide-eyedI will kill youexpression.

I grin.

“Is she coming to visit soon?” Giorgia asks.

“I’m not sure. She’s very busy.” And Father is likely to keep her busy, knowing it’s another way to punish me for not doing his bidding. I drink my mimosa in one long gulp, pluck the empty glass from Valeria’s hand, and collect it with mine before passing it to Giorgia. “Will you go fill these up, Georgie?”

She isn’t as skilled at hiding her emotions as Valeria. Annoyance flashes across her face like lightning. “It’s Giorgia.”

I smile at her. “Giorgia. Will you go fill up our glasses? Now.”

She swipes them from me and storms off.

I face Valeria. “Are you enjoying the party?”

“Yes, I was having the most lovely conversation with Giorgia about you.”

“All good things, I hope.”

She levels a flat stare at me. “Giorgia seemed to think so. She thought you were very handsome and charming, but thank you for disabusing her of that notion.”

“And what do you think of me?”

“That you’re cruel and narcissistic.”

I laugh, and a few people around us glance over.

I lean in toward Valeria, inhaling her sweet, delicious scent.

She tries to jerk away, but I wrap my arm around her waist and pin her against my body. She goes still as my mouth brushes the shell of her ear. “You didn’t seem to think I was so self-centered as I fucked you into a second orgasm.” I kiss her neck, and she rewards me with a gasp. “Say the word, and I’ll prove to youagainhow generous I can be.”

She turns so that our lips are almost touching and digs her nails into my wrist. Her breath tastes like champagne and oranges. “People arestaring.”

“Let them. That’s the point, isn’t it? We’re supposed to be the happy couple first, then I leave you for Jeanie.”

Valeria scowls. “Her name is Giorgia. Now let me go.”

I glance down at her mouth. “Kiss me, and I will.”

I barely get the words out before she crushes her mouth to mine. I tilt my head and force my tongue between her lips—I don’t care who’s watching, I want totasteher. She givesthe softest moan and then pulls away, her eyes wild, pupils blown.

I can barely think—all the blood’s pumping to my dick. My hands are full with her.

“Nico,” she whispers. It’s a plea.

I let her go, and she walks away.

All eyes in the room are on us until my brother and his wife enter the house, and then everyone looks to their don.

Salvatore’s gaze flicks from Valeria’s receding form to me. He frowns lightly.

I need a fucking cigarette.