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“You sound surprised.”
“To be honest, I was.” The wine hits the glasses. “Thank you for arranging it.”
My lips twitch. “You’re welcome.”
“What did you do today?”
“Nothing of note.” The vegetables are done. I turn off the heat and transfer the pan to a cool burner. “I still don’t have a way to take Diaz down. He’s as slippery as a fucking snake.” The man has been wreaking havoc in the streets for years now, but he never leaves behind evidence to pin anything on him. No matter how far back I dig.
“I’m sorry.” She appears at my side and offers me a glass of wine. I make sure my fingers brush hers when I take it. She presses her lips together. I hide my pleased grin behind a sip.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“Is there a reason why you’re so open about your business with me?”
I stare, careful to keep my expression blank. “Would you rather I go back to keeping you in the dark?”
“Of course not.”
“Then I’m afraid I don’t understand the question.”
She sighs and stares at the counter down to her left. “I don’t know. I guess it’s just strange to hear someone be so open about things. My father rarely spoke to me about the business.”
I’m aware Salvatore Furnari treated his only daughter like a porcelain doll, keeping her out of business dealings. Until I entered the picture.
“You are going to be my wife,” I remind her. “You are a Furnari, but you will become a MacKenzie. You are entitled to know what goes on in the family.”
Surprise widens her eyes as she looks back at me. “Oh.”
“Yes.” I grin. “Oh.”
Her lips curve in a smile and she shakes her head. “Do you enjoy catching me off guard?”
“I like making you smile.”
Her smile falters. “Stop it.”
“Stop what?”
“Being so… perfect.”
I laugh. “Trust me,macushla, I am far from perfect.” But I plan to be the perfect husband for her. She deserves nothing else.
Once again, she averts her gaze. “How long until dinner is ready?”
I debate whether or not to allow her to change the subject, but when I see the tension lining her eyes, I turn back to the stove and say, “Five minutes.”
“I’ll go set the table.”
She sets down her wine glass and retrieves plates and silverware from the kitchen before escaping to the dining room. I make quick work of assembling the meal into a serving dish. Then, I retrieve the mozzarella bread from the oven and carry both to the dining room.
Catarina is setting down the last utensil when I enter. She mumbles that she’ll get the wine glasses before slipping past me.
I exhale a heavy sigh. I swear, my fiancée is as skittish as a kitten at times. Then, without warning, I catch a glimpse of the strong-willed, formidable woman who caught my interest at Mystique. A lifetime of living as a demure mouse has taken its toll on her, but I’m determined to coax her out of her shell so she can be her true self.Thatis the woman I look forward to spending my days and nights with.
By the time Catarina returns, I’m seated in an attempt to help put her at ease. I’ve noticed more than once how my height seems to affect her. Especially when she’s feeling off-kilter.
