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“I was just offering up my services,” Dante continues, getting over my attitude. “It’s going to be tough being married to the ass behind me. Just remember, I was the first choice. It could have been me today standing opposite you on that altar.”

“No thanks, I prefer Damien.”

This time I definitely hear a laugh. But again when I look up, Damien pretends he’s not listening in on every word.

“Seriously?” Dante questions.

“Seriously,” I say nodding. “I’m very aware that I was originally meant to be betrothed to you, Dante, but were you really going to marry a woman you’ve never met and know nothing about?”

“If the woman’s as beautiful as you, why not?” he shrugs. “Plus, my brother did and succeeded considering how much you’re defending him.”

“You’re brother’s insane,” I tell. “You don’t have to be too.”

Dante grins, “Okay I definitely like you,cognata.”

My brows furrow, “What does that mean?”

I seriously need to learn Italian. Damien’s prone to speaking a lot of Italian as well. Words I don’t understand. I speak a little Spanish and I am able to decipher some Italian words at times but now that I’m married to Damien, I might as well brush up on both languages.

“It means sister-in law,” he informs me. “Don’t worry. My brother has you now and it seems he’s met his match in you as well.”

I cross my arms over my chest, “Your family has serious problems. And please for the love of God, if you want a wife sobad, date a woman and ask for her hand in marriage first, got it?”

He smirks before stepping backward so he’s standing beside his brother.

“No woman’s ever said ‘got it’ to me before,” he says in a hushed tone but I still hear it.

“She continues to surprise me with each passing day, brother,” Damien replies in the same tone.

And then he looks at me with a smile. It’s a soft sweet genuine smile I don’t think I’ve ever seen on him. I notice he has fine lines beside his eyes. Like laugh lines. It’s sexy and they crinkle even further when he smiles.

I realize he’s genuinely happy and I briefly wonder how many moments of genuine happiness he’s actually had in life. It’s sad. Even the night I met him, there was something about him that wanted to make him feel as good as I wanted to feel. Something about Damien makes him seem like a very sad person if I really think about it. Which is probably why my heart keeps acting so haywire. I must be confusing empathy and one horny night with actual feelings for him.

He notices how intently I’m staring and the smile immediately drops. He breaks eye contact like he suddenly remembered where we’re standing.

In a room full of vultures, like he said earlier.

Dante leaves to speak to their sister and I’m left alone with the head of the pack.

“How are you, wife?” he questions, stepping closer to me.

My nose wrinkles, “Please, don’t call me that.”

“Cassie, you do remember a wedding ceremony and vows that give me the right to call you that for the rest of our lives, don’t you?”

I look up at him with an eyeroll, “You’re chipper today.”

“You could do with a smile as well. Should I get a bottle of whiskey?”

I slap his chest for that comment and he lets out a surprised laugh before shifting even closer. I feel my chest stop beating for a second when our eyes connect.

He has such a hold on me. And I’m afraid he knows it. I’m scared of what he might do with the knowledge. Especially considering all he’s been able to accomplish.

A shiver goes through me when he places a hand against my cheek and I feel my core stir. It’s the same way I felt when he was kissing me at the altar. Truthfully, that kiss was hot and made me feel so many complicated things. For a moment I wanted nothing more than to rip his clothes off..

I wonder if Damien would make love. Or if he’d fuck me hard again. Knowing him, it’s probably the latter. And I definitely know which one I’d prefer.

Can you blame me though? The man is as gorgeous and I have not gotten that night out of my head.