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“Yes?”
“If you keep doing things like that, I’m never going to get to wear that dress.”
Dominic chuckles his hardy laugh and pulls himself off my body, “Then go get ready.”
As I crawl off the bed, he slaps my ass. The slight sting sends another wave shooting through me and for a second I question whether I really want to leave this room after all.
I hang the dress from the hook on the back of the bathroom door and quickly take a shower. I still haven’t unpacked my own toiletries but there’s an unopened bottle of my brand of shampoo and body wash, along with a fresh loofah and a razor sitting on the edge. I’ve grown kind of used to smelling like him but tonight, I want to shine. I want to prove to him and to myself that I have what it takes to be a part of his world. I spend the better part of an hour in the shower and then dry off. I style my hair and apply my makeup before slipping into the dress he bought.
It’s an elegant twist to the little black dress, simple and overstated at the same time with a lace trim that slips into a slight V between my breasts. It hits just above my knee and when paired with strappy high heels makes me feel larger than life. I walk into the living room and find Dominic showered, clean shaven, and wearing a fresh charcoal gray suit. His jacket draped over the back of the chair he’s sitting in texting on his phone. He looks up at me and I shimmy before him in all my awkwardness attempting to act as sexy as the expensive silk makes me feel.
His guarded expression waivers and the smile I've only witnessed in private, tugs at the corners of his lips and then quickly hardens. He places his phone in his pocket and stands in front of me, looking me over.
“Before we go, you and I need to get one thing clear.” My back stiffens at his tone, “Do you remember what I told you before our wedding?”
“Yes.” My voice cracks. Those words have played on repeat in mind every day both terrifying me and arousing me at the same time. This man is sinful and he’s quickly pulling me down with him.
“Tell me.” He orders. He’s stiff and cold and at this moment, I’d say and do anything to get the warm, tender side of him back.
“You said, if I agree to be your wife, I’ll belong to you. I’ll share your bed, have your children, and secure your legacy.”
“What else did I say?”
I swallow hard, “That you’d kill anyone who tries to take me away from you.”
“That’s right.” His tense shoulders relax slightly, and he wraps his arms around my waist, capturing my lips with his kiss, “Don’t ever forget it. You’re mine.”
Chapter 15
Dominic
We walk into the restaurant, with my arm wrapped around Callie’s waist and I feel her body tremble. “Are you cold?”
“No. I’m nervous.” The crack in her voice is endearing.
“You have nothing to fear from these men. Just follow my lead.” I reassure her.
These men are my associates. We are all a part of the Global Outlaws Syndicate. Some are competition but most are allies. I will need their help to mitigate the rift I caused by killing Don Marco’s man and to finally put Xander in his place once and for all. It’ll be a cold day in hell before Xander takes Callie from me or my life blood. My business. I’m not one to ask for help but I remind myself that this is necessary to secure my foothold on the narcotics trade and secure a higher rank in this syndicate. That was the main purpose behind marrying Callie in the first place. I had no idea she would come to mean so much to me, but I can’t lose sight of my end goal.
The heels of her shoes click on the dark hardwood floor as we step further into the restaurant and enter the private room where our dinner will take place. Callie still feels tense in my arms despite my attempt to reassure her. I watch the awe in her face as she looks around the luxurious restaurant. She’s been learning to bake at a five-star establishment in Jersey, she can’t possibly be intimidated by what should be just another restaurant in her eyes.
“Are you ok?” I ask.
“Yes. I’m just used to wearing a white coat and being in the kitchen, not out front.” I can’t help but find her nervousness cute.
The chatter in the room lowers and several pairs of eyes turn our way. She’s already making a statement in that dress, and they are all wondering who the woman on my arm could be. “You got this. Remember who you are.”
She nods her head and lifts her chin high, plastering a smile on her face that shines brighter than the chandelier hanging from the loft ceiling. My heart clenches in my chest that she seems almost proud of being my wife. A feeling that would be lost if she ever finds out why I married her in the first place regardless of if my intentions have changed. I lead her towards the tables, dressed in fine linen and fancy China. The tables are set in a rectangle, end touching end with nothing but empty space in the middle. There are varying sizes of fresh flowers in gold vases among the tables. Their scent invades my nose, replacing the sweet scent of lavender and jasmine that I’ve come to associate with her.
“Hey man. Thanks for coming through for us last month. I owe you one.” Chainz approaches me dressed in black jeans, a black tee-shirt and a leather vest that reads Krymson Destroyers MC. The signature chains he’s rumored to wear around his neck are never seen at our meetings. Callie’s eyes grow wide. I forgot to tell her that the syndicate is not just mafia members. I remove my arm from Callie to shake his hand.
“Glad I could help. I might be calling in that favor sooner than later.”
Chainz reached out for help last month when his supplier was unable to provide what he needed to secure a deal that was important for his club. I didn’t ask for details. That’s not what matters. We’re allies and when one of us needs help, whoever has the means, steps up. That’s what this partnership is all about. That’s what I’m counting on now.
“Do you want to fill me in now?” Chainz asks.
“Let’s see how the evening pans out. I need an audience with Carracci first.” We both catch sight of Don Marco’s dark black eyes piercing back at us. His face turned down in a nasty scowl.
