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“Not now, Victor,” I interjected as he remained rooted to the spot.

He clearly wanted to keep the peace, but as far as I was concerned, there wasn’t any, and there never would be.

We entered the reception as we were greeted with claps and cheers. I took her hand in mine as I led her to her seat. She didn’t try to snatch it away nor did she make a snide comment. She just went along with it. Was it some sort of game, or was she genuinely good at putting on a front for everyone?

She lowered herself gracefully onto her chair as I settled into mine beside her. We had a secluded table, just the two of us. Of course, that was my mama’s doing. She was determined to make me change my mind and fall in love with this angelic psychopath.

“You two look exquisite together.” My mother appeared with a beaming smile, one that Anastacia mirrored. “Anastacia, you look beautiful. My son finally did something right for a change.” She shot me a glance, and I knew once again that she didn’t approve.

“Thank you, Mrs. Ricci. It’s lovely to meet you.” That sweet smile had everyone in this room fooled—everyone except me.

“Likewise, and please, call me Carmella.” My mother kissed both of Anastacia’s cheeks before heading off to take her seat.

“I see you smile for everyone except me. That hurts, you know,” I teased.

“I sincerely doubt it does, but even if it did, you’ll get over it.” She winked as she seductively wrapped her lips around the straw of the signature cocktail. Another one of my mother’s ideas. I doubted Anastacia even realised how sexy she looked at that moment. All I could think about was how perfect she’d look on her knees with her lips wrapped around my cock.

Time passed quickly until it was time for the father-daughter dance. Something I wasn’t sure she’d actually agree to, but when Victor stood before her with his hand outstretched, she had a change of heart to her earlier words and placed her dainty hand in his tattooed one.

I guessed she didn’t want the alliances in the room to look down on him. I relaxed back in my chair, watching him twirl her around the floor, but not once did she smile. She was closed off, unable to scream and shout at him like she probably wanted to.

As my eyes drifted over them, she distanced herself. Her expression changed, her brows furrowed, knitting in the middle as she gritted her teeth whenever she spoke, and it didn’t take me long to realise how heated things were getting between them.

Fuck it.

She may not like me, and I didn’t like her either, but there was no way I could sit there and let Victor talk to Anastacia in whatever way he was. I couldn’t hear what was being said, but judging by their faces, it wasn’t good.

I rose from my seat, not wasting another second as I strode over to where they were on the dance floor.

“Anastacia, we’re leaving. Say goodbye.” I spoke firmly, not wanting to look as though I was trying to comfort her in any way.

“There’s no need. I was done here anyway. No need for goodbyes as I’ve said all I needed to earlier.” She breathed out, composing herself. “I’ll be in the car.”

“Red will walk you out.”

“I don’t need a babysitter.” She scowled at the thought.

“There are many people here that I still don’t trust.” I glanced at Victor who had no idea I was talking about him. “Red will take you to the car and wait with you.”

She gave up the fight as Red lifted a hand from where he stood by the exit.

“Lorenzo, I was speaking with my daughter, you had no right to interrupt that way,” he snapped the second she was out of earshot.

“Victor, I can interrupt anyway I want since she’s now my wife. You didn’t give a shit about her when you practically sold her to me, or when you brought her to our wedding under false pretences, so I suggest you give her time.”

“Lorenzo, we still have things we need to discuss.” He didn’t even acknowledge anything that was said about his own daughter. He went straight back to business. Did he even care about her at all? Was he bothered?

“Our alliance is valid. There is nothing we need to discuss.” I turned my back to him, not wanting to keep this shit going any longer than needed.

“How dare you turn your back to me, boy,” he seethed, gaining some extra attention.Boy, fucking boy?!The anger that pumped through my veins was more than I usually felt, but I knew I couldn’t kill the bastard in the middle of the wedding reception, so I kept my cool as well as I could. “Where’s the damn respect?!”

“Respect is earned, not given.” I turned back to face him, my voice unnervingly calm and collected. “You are my wife’s father, that is all. You're lucky I don’t put a bullet in that skull of yours after that disrespectful comment.” I breathed, still trying to keep my gun tucked away. “Enjoy the rest of the evening.” I extended my hand to him which he happily shook. It’s not something I wanted to do nor was it something he deserved, but I needed this man to let his guard down with me. I needed him to not expect anything when I led him to his death.

“Good luck with her, Lorenzo.” Her mother smiled from beside Victor. I’d almost forgotten she was there, to be honest. There was something about her wishing me luck that didn’t sitright with me. Clearly, Ana’s own parents didn’t give a shit about her.

I nodded curtly before heading off to check if my wife actually did as she was told and waited in the car with Red.

Much to my surprise, she did.