Page 26 of Honor and Claim (A New Reign #2)

Chapter Twenty-Six

Z

“ I love you so much.” Cosima sighs happily as she fixes the pink handkerchief she put into the jacket of my suit to match her dress.

I can see how much her mood has changed now that she knows we are going out.

I’d spent the last couple of hours making love to her, enjoying the fashion show she put on for me, and watching her get ready.

I honestly thought she would be complaining more about being cooped up, but she hasn’t made her dissatisfaction apparent to me, which I appreciate. She knows how important figuring all of this stuff out about the Amato family motives is.

“Over a little bit of pink?” I shake my head. “I have not put the bar on the floor before now, have I?” I tease her.

As I told her, I don’t give a shit what is or isn’t pink.

I dress for comfort and to be put together.

If she wants us to match, so be it. If it brings joy to her face, that's all that matters to me.

She is constantly trying to do that for other people.

Cosima is quick to do what most would find embarrassing if it lifts the mood. I want to be able to do that for her.

“It’s not just the pink. It’s all of you.” She pats the handkerchief. “Are you going to tell me where we’re going?”

“A dinner party.”

Cosima’s brows lift in surprise. “What kind of dinner party?”

“A few families will be there. Some from out of town.” Cosima’s glossy lips form a perfect O as she puts a few things together.

“Something is happening?”

“Something is happening,” I confirm. “A party to apologize to Sal after the last one.”

“Right.” She snorts a laugh.

“We’ll tell everyone about our marriage as well.”

Two birds, one stone. That is really fitting for the evening and the plans I have.

“Can I hear cheers to whatever is happening?” Cosima steps back, doing a twirl for me. The bottom of her dress flares out. She reminds me of a sweet treat, and I know at the end of the night she’ll be my dessert.

“I insist on it.” Cosima picks up a gold bottle, spraying it before walking through the mist. It has a honey smell to it.

She is quickly putting on her final touches.

I take her hand, helping her rub in the lotion I’d gotten for her.

Cosima’s skin is always so silky soft, reminding me of rose petals.

“Now come on before I flip up your pretty little dress and fuck you in those heels.” She links her fingers with mine.

“Is there anything I need to know about tonight?”

“If you want.”

“No!” She rushes to say. “I love surprises. I want to be as shocked as everyone.”

Oh, they’ll be shocked. I have been formulating this plan from the moment I realized Sal had his sights on Cosima. That wasn’t my only issue. I’d thought over a lot of what Dario had said about me having a target on my head if people found out all I could do.

Not to mention my work with the government. That I’ll never give up. That contact is too good not to have in my pocket. It has numerous benefits.

When we reach the bottom of the stairs, we head toward the front of the house, where War and Tova have already gathered. War locks eyes with me, and I give a stiff nod so that he knows everything is in place.

He was a bit hesitant about my plan, but the more I mapped it out, the more he got it. This isn’t only about Cosima; this is about a bigger picture, one I know War wants too.

“Oh, you’re coming too,” Cosima says excitedly when she sees Tova.

“War told me it’s dinner and a show.” Tova's excitement matches Cosima's. I give my brother a look, which he only shrugs at. The man really does have jokes these days. I suppose he’s not wrong.

“A show, you say,” Cosima responds dramatically. “I love a good show.”

“Wait, this isn’t a show like I’m thinking, is it?” Tova glances between us all, finally realizing that we’re probably not going to some theater production.

“Don’t ruin the surprise,” Cosima tells her.

“Okay, now I’m confused.”

“Don’t worry, little mouse.” War leads her out of the house. We follow behind but get in a separate car. I hold the back door open for Cosima to slip in.

“This can’t be too crazy if you’re letting us come with,” Cosima says as we pull down the driveway and out of the gates, headed toward the city.

“It’s best that everyone is there.”

She nods in understanding. “I trust you’ve got it handled.” She rests her hand on my thigh. I lift it and kiss it.

“Then no questions. I don’t want to ruin the surprise.” Cosima watches me as I start to put the plan fully into motion. It will be one domino after another. There is nothing besides my wife that I love more than a well-crafted plan.

She doesn’t ask any questions. Cosima is attuned to my playfulness and teasing, but she knows when things are about to get real. She trusts that I’ll always do what’s in her best interest. To protect her at all costs. That in itself is so satisfying to me.

My wife was born into this life and has her own switch she can flip. As much as I hate it that she was put in danger on that shopping excursion with the girls, I’m proud that she stabbed that motherfucker. It was a reminder that Cosima can handle herself when the time calls for it.

One of the many gifts my wife possesses is that she can still stay sweet and bubbly while drawing blood with a smile on her face. You really don’t see it coming.

“Just know that I can take care of myself. Your focus needs to be on whatever the surprise is.” I watch as my wife reaches down to the hem of her dress, discretely pulling it up to her mid-thigh, revealing to me that she has on garters.

Tucked into the top of one is a small knife. Fuck I love this woman.

“Both dazzling and dangerous. How did I get so lucky?” That gets me a smile. I lean over, tracing the top of the garter while placing a kiss on her mouth.

“You really did. Tonight, when we get home, I’ll show you just how lucky.” She breaks the kiss, pulling her dress back down. “But for now, you need to take care of things.”

It’s not long before the car is pulling up to the venue where everyone is meeting us. I lean over, taking Cosima’s mouth one last time. I don’t bother saying any mushy shit because even though there's a lot on the line tonight, I know without a doubt that we’ll be coming out the other side.

“Ready?” I ask, breaking the kiss.

“It’s showtime,” Cosima states in dramatic fashion.

I step out of the car, holding my hand out for her to take.

I can tell from the vehicles parked outside with drivers waiting that most have arrived.

Lightning flickers across the sky. “A storm is coming.” How fitting.

She leans into my side, peeking up at me.

Cosima gives me a cheeky smile. “I love dancing in the rain.”

I'll dance with my wife until the end of forever.