Page 43 of Precious Hazard

“It’s okay. I wouldn’t expect someone like you to comprehend the dream of finding a loving lifelong partner.”

“Someone likeme?”

She doesn’t answer, just continues reading.

“And? Why not?”

“Because you’re already married to your precious Cosa Nostra, DeVille. And anyway, it’s not as if any reasonable woman could fall in love with a jerk who outlines in a ten-page manifesto how she’s expected to behave while married to him.”

“That agreement was drafted specifically for you, Tara. It’s not something I would have done for someone else.”

“Oh, aren’t I lucky?” She tilts her chin, pursing her lips in the process. “A special contract for a special wife. That’s so nice. I’ve never felt so uniquely singled out before.”

“You know exactly why I had to do it.”

“Nope, not really.”

“Our first ‘date,’ when I wanted to take you to a nice dinner at a fine establishment, you showed up in a cropped sweatshirt with those plastic things in your hair. A lot of affluent and powerful people, people like the owners and CEOs ofreputable and influential companies, many of which the Family collaborates with, dine at the place we were headed.”

“And you were afraid your dignity would take a hit if you arrived with a date dressed in an old sweatshirt? I had no idea that your ego was so fragile.”

“Perception is reality when it comes to these people. And the Family cannot afford to be perceived as weak. Anyone can be made or broken based on their image and reputation, which is true in the Mafia just as much as within the corporate world. That’s why you won’t ever see a CEO going out in a polo shirt or a CFO wearing flip-flops. And since my job is to represent the Family, I won’t ever be caught in anything that disgraceful. My date won’t be either. And most especially, neither will my wife.”

“God, you must be a Virgo.”

“A what?”

“It’s a zodiac sign. When’s your birthday?”

“September ninth. And I don’t believe in astrology.”

“Yup, Virgo. Knew it right away. Jesus, I’ve never met a man with such a large stick up his ass.”

My lips twitch, and I barely contain my smile. I’ve clearly lost all my marbles because instead of being royally infuriated by her audacity to speak to me in this manner, I’m actually amused. Her constant needling irritates me to no end, but at the same time, I’ve found myself eager to see what she’ll think of next.

My reactions to Tara Popov are becoming more than a mere inconvenience. I can’t believe I still haven’t made that call to Miranda like I’ve been intending to for weeks. My ex-lover could have helped me exorcise this unhealthy attraction I seem to have developed toward my future wife. Why haven’t I contacted the buxom blonde already? Oh right. Because everytime I reached for my phone, Tara’s likeness popped into my thoughts. A picture of her, naked and pressed under my body, gasping for her next breath as she bites retort after snarky retort at me. While I fuck her senseless.

I shake my head and reach for my phone. “One of Gateway’s business partners is celebrating a company anniversary on Friday. You’ll accompany me.”

“Can’t. OurSlavais on Friday.”

“Slava? What’s that?”

“A big cultural celebration to honor our patron saint. All our friends and family are coming over for lunch.” She licks her thumb before turning the page. “Also, I can’t go on any fake dates until after. We’re expecting about three hundred guests, so Keva has recruited the entire household to help preparesarma. She’ll kill me if I try to ditch.”

Three hundred people?

“Alright. What time should I be there on Friday, then?”

Tara shuts her book with a loud snap and scrunches her nose at me. “Family and friends, DeVille. And you’re neither.”

In all my dealings with the Serbs over the years, I’ve gotten a glimpse of how flirty their guys get. There’s no way I’m letting Tara attend that damnSlavaunsupervised. “I’ll bring the wine…, my darling futurewife.”

Chapter 10

“He just invited himself,” I grumble as I arrange the ham sausage and slices of cheese on the large oval platter. “You can’t just invite yourself to someone else’s family celebration.”

Sienna picks up a sprig of flat parsley and starts arranging it on top of the bowl of tuna salad, creating an artistic flower design. “Drago told me that no invitations are needed forSlava. Isn’t everyone welcome?”