Page 46 of The Reaper's Bride

“Armando's father once warned me it was a stupid thing to do. I think he had a good point… especially if a man’s wife has a knife.” Alessio slants a wicked grin my way.

“He sounds like a wise man,” I say, smothering laughter.

“He is. Anyway, Bibi’s always feared my father and soon learned to fear Sil, Jr., but it took a few years for her to learn to fear me.”

“Is that what you wanted? To be feared?”

“I was two and a half when my father took her to be his new bride and bedded her, Caterina. What do you think?”

At such a tender age, I think all he would’ve wanted was to be loved, and my heart aches for the little boy he once was. “Did she mistreat you?” I ask, horrified at the thought until I recall the fact that his father literally started torturing him when he was younger than Valdo is now.

“She’s vain and jaded and a certified schemer, but she’s not stupid.”

“And, your mother… Stefania?”

“She died,” he clips, not offering any more information. “Traffic’s a bitch, isn’t it?”

I agree, not wanting to risk the night’s mood with unwelcome questions.

We head to one of his favorite restaurants, a Vietnamese place he says is well known for their vegan dim sum. “Vegan?” I don’t bother hiding my surprise.

“I don’t always have to eat meat to be a predator,” he replies with a wink.

Other couples are waiting for tables, but the owner spots us immediately and whisks us to a private booth near the back. Alessio shrugs at my raised eyebrows. “We helped him take care of a problem recently. He must’ve recognized my face.”

“Are there any people in this city who don’t?”

“One or two.”

Those one or two people must be off tonight because we sample rice wine with our delicious meal and then walk into a nearby casino afterwards where no one asks to see my ID. Alessio is armed but no security personnel ask to look under his jacket. I don’t really care about gambling, but I’m on Cloud Nine having Alessio teach me the basics of Blackjack.

“Can I learn poker, too?”

“You can learn anything you like. Just remember to play for the fun of it, but never bet more than you’re willing to lose. The odds are always with the house.”

I nod, soaking in his words, and I can’t help noticing all the women who stare at my husband with blatant want in their eyes. I can’t blame them - he’s gorgeous and his alpha male appeal is impossible to deny. I hook my ankle around his leg at the table, leaning into him and laughing at nothing in particular. “Are you drunk on rice wine, Mrs. De Luca?” he asks with his hand resting possessively on my thigh.

I shake my head, giggling as the worst of the admirers gives up trying to catch his eye. “Maybe a little.” He kisses my forehead, making my heart sing, and praises me when I win my first hand. My pile of chips grows, but I already feel like the Queen of Las Vegas with him by my side.

After that, I ask to see the fountains at the Bellagio and he indulges me. “What do you enjoy doing?” I ask as we stroll along the sidewalk with our hands linked.

“You’ve heard the stories about me, I’m sure.”

“I’ve heard about what the Reaper does on his Capo’s orders. I want to know what Alessio enjoys.”

He shakes his head. “Alessio enjoys what he does on his Capo’s orders. But, he also likes getting his wife drunk and teaching her dirty new things.”

I smack his chest. “Be serious.”

“Who says I’m not being serious?” But at my pleading look, he relents. “I like this. I like showing you around places you want to see. I like throwing Valdo into the pool when he’s being a little shit.” I giggle at the image. “I like playing poker with Armando or talking about racing with him. What do you like? Besides reading and getting your pussy licked by me.”

Too tipsy to be mortified, I laugh loudly at that last sentence before thinking over the question. “I haven’t made up my mind about everything yet. There are so many things I’ve never done in the name of keeping me safe. I’m enjoying this though. I never thought our marriage would feel like… oh my God!” Failing to finish my thought, I race toward the famed fountains when they come into view, tugging Alessio along by the hand. He comes with me willingly because I could never move him an inch if he resisted. I’m unable to take my eyes off the waters, gaping like a child while Alessio continues to hold my hand. “They're magnificent. Like a million stars sparkling around us.”

“We can’t see many stars here. You never thought our marriage would feel like what?”

I blush, meeting his gaze. “Like something I could love.” He glances away. Right. Made Men. Feelings. An unusual combination. “Tonight feels like our honeymoon.”

“Honeymoon?” he scoffs. “Dim sum and gambling?”