Page 79 of Cassio

“Considering this was kind of thrown on me last minute, the date should be changed.”

“No.”

Just no!No explanation. Nothing. Just you do as I say. Yeah, he was crazy if he thought that was how it would go.

I stood up from my chair, smoothing my palms over my dress, then strode to the door with my back stiff, but before I exited, I threw Cassio a glance over my shoulder.

“You might have won the battle, Cassio King,” I warned him. “But I’ll win the war.”

ChapterTwenty-Six

CASSIO

Leaning against the wall, I watched Áine handle the guests throughout our engagement dinner. She refused to change. Whatever. Fine with me. I’d choose my battles wisely with her.

With my hands in my pockets, I observed her smile and how she gave the same amount of attention to each guest. Diplomacy was ingrained into her from an early age. She grew up in the spotlight, thanks to Thomas Evans’ rapidly growing political career until his untimely death.

She would be a perfect wife. From the look on her face, nobody would have ever guessed this arrangement happened with a last minute change in the bride.

Fake bride for a real bride,I thought smugly to myself.

Nobody knew it except Luca, Nico, and myself. And Luciano, of course. I wished Nico and Bianca could have made it. She wasn’t feeling well, and I imagined thinking about being surrounded by mobsters didn't sit well with my sister nor my brother-in-law.

My sister.

I would have never dreamt I had one. Yet here I was and couldn’t be happier. She was family and with her upbringing outside the underworld, she could help me with Áine. Both my sister and my little nieces. Nobody could resist them. Even Alexei cracked a smile with Hannah and Arianna around.

Áine kept a diplomatic smile on her face, thanking everyone graciously as they came forward and congratulated her. Jack announced earlier to the audience of close friends and family, mainly consisting of the Irish, that Áine was his biological daughter, and he couldn’t be prouder of her. All things considered, she took the news well.

Though I wasn’t fooled by her easy acceptance. My instinct was telling me she’d fight me every step of the way. Besides, her parting words when we left Jack’s office left no room for interpretation. She certainly had my attention.

“Why are you so gloomy?” Luciano stood next to me, sipping his favorite poison. Cognac. Jack ensured he had a special one just for Luciano.

“I’m not gloomy.” I watched Áine shake hands with yet another man, with Jack by her side. It fucking burned me to see any man touching her. It was platonic, but I didn’t give a shit. It made me want to cut off the hands of every man that dared touch that soft skin.

Maybe I’d start with Chad Stewart. Yeah, that would lift my spirits for sure. I disliked the prick. A burn radiated in my chest at the thought of him with my woman. I’d smash his pretty face and break every bone in his body if he ever looked her way again.

Sick motherfucker.

It was better if I didn’t think about him right now. Otherwise, I might scare my future bride.

“How is Grace?” I asked Luciano to change the subject.

I could instantly sense Luciano’s don’t fuck with me posture ease.

“She’s good. Another few months and the baby will be here.” To say Luciano and Grace had a rough beginning was an understatement. I didn’t expect him to bring her nor their son. If he could, he’d keep them all locked up. Just like my brother-in-law. Luckily neither my sister nor Grace took any shit from their husbands. “I should probably give you a heads up.”

I cocked my eyebrow, waiting for him to continue. “Grace wants you to be the baby's godfather. You know I do too, but I was going to let her choose and she brought you up.”

That was unexpected, especially knowing what Benito put her through. A strong emotion swirled in my chest. My best friend’s wife trusted me with their unborn child. Fuck, was I turning into a softy?

I cleared my throat to ensure my voice wouldn’t reflect any emotions that currently invaded my heart. “I would be honored. Is she sure though?” I questioned him.

“She should pick me,” Luca chimed in, gulping his drink. “I’m better with children. Just ask my nieces. And soon, I’ll have more to spoil too.”

“Luca,” I groaned. “Fuck, brother. They wanted to tell everyone themselves.”

“Grace already knows,” Luciano chimed in. “Those two are doing research on nurseries and baby safe paint colors.”