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He already looked like a Greek God among men.
And now, if it was at all possible with this newfound playful part of his multi-layered personality, I knew I never needed to read a romance book again.
He was everything.
I blew him a kiss and sent him on his way.
Had it been any other day, I would have told him about Enzo, but not today. Enzo wasn’t going to spoil today for any of us.
Enzo would wait until later.
‘Sera,’ I heard my sister call out and after lifting my hand in response, I made my way through the gathering of people to her and Salvatore’s half-brother Gabriel.
As I watched the two of them together, my heart swelled.
Having a distance to cross and many “welcome” and “thank you for coming” to offer our guests on the way, I had many chances to watch the young couple from afar. They looked at each other just a little too long and he reached out to touch her at every given opportunity. I thought back to a time when I’d once shared a bedroom with her and to her childish declaration that one day she would marry Gabriel. As my heart unfurled at their obvious affection for each other, I knew I couldn’t be happier for her. They had reached adulthood and he looked to be on the same page as her.
Off to one side, I heard my mum and papa laughing with friends and my tense body relaxed. There was no way I was going to let the fat bastard who’d cornered me like a rat in a dark alley, ruin this day.
Who could have known that marrying a stranger would bring us to this peace?
I just prayed it would last, even if just for a short time.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
SALVATORE
It hadto be said that being in forced proximity to nearly a hundred people wasn’t to be found at the top of the list of what I would consider as having a good time.
But even I could see that it had its advantages.
I’d been able to watch, from a distance, some of the many families our invite had been extended to. Even a few that my gut told me not to trust as far as I could throw them. With a well thought out void between us, I’d spent every available opportunity taking in their body language, who they’d spoken to and whether being in the Boss’s presence caused them discomfort.
It had been informative and not alarming, which was always good.
I’d spent time with my grandfather, who for the first time since I’d been taken back into the family, had a woman with him who seemed attentive to his every need. This was great on two fronts, I loved that he had someone to look after him as he was beginning to look his age, where previously he’d looked no older than a man in his late fifties and secondly, Valentina, my stepmother, was more than pissed at having to share the family table with another woman.
I’d raised my glass of grappa at her a couple of times, as I’d noticed a scowl developing on her face when she’d offered to get something my grandfather wanted and he’d turned her down in favour of the quiet and considerate Janine. At home she avoided him like the plague, but here in front of the guests, she wanted the world to see what a dutiful daughter-in-law she made the pretence of being, and he was denying her that.
The vitriol with which she was speaking to Gianni was making my sperm donor look more and more uncomfortable and, it had to be said, I was enjoying the afternoon far more than I’d expected.
Enzo had also done a disappearing act, which made me happy at not having to share this day and the same space with his repulsive self.
But the very best thing, was watching my beautiful wife from a distance. She’d moved from person to person, listening attentively to them, sharing one of her all-encompassing smiles and playing with their children, until I could see that everyone we’d invited felt honoured just to be in her presence. She showed her open heart and in response I could see their respect for her growing with every minute that passed.
I knew I didn’t deserve her and probably never would. She was undoubtedly the better part of me. The light to my dark. I also knew I’d spend the rest of my life making that up to her.
But not today.
Today she needed to be punished for moving out of my sight for those few minutes earlier.
Today she needed to be taught just who the actual fuck was in charge in this relationship.
Today she was mine to toy with and the pleasure that unmasked inside me was hard to keep to myself.
‘You’re looking far too happy to be my elder brother.’ I heard Romeo speak before he sat down next to me.
‘Fuck off,’ I replied, before drinking the final sip from the glass I was holding.
