Page 86 of Thorns of Death

Enrico’s eyes bore into me. He poured himself another glass of cognac, and he downed the drink. My lips parted in indignation, but before I could say anything, he closed the distance between us and cupped the back of my head. He pressed his lips to mine. I grasped his bicep while he devoured me, the taste of cognac swirling from his mouth to mine, setting me aflame. This man was intoxicating.

When he pulled back, I was dazed, my fingers clutching his vest like my life depended on it.

“There you are.” Manuel’s voice came from behind me and I whirled around to find him and Enrico’s sons standing there. Manuel’s eyes were unreadable, but the boys grinned like they’d just gotten a front-row seat to a porno.

Embarrassment washed over me.

“We have a surprise for you,Matrigna.”

I groaned. “I told you stop calling me—”

“Surprise!”

The air left my lungs as I stared frozen at the smiling faces. My friends were here. Reina, Phoenix, Raven, Athena, all dressed in matching pink dresses.

“How… What are you…?”

I glanced at my husband who’d come to stand next to me. He wasn’t smiling. His face was a cold mask, but something in his dark gaze warmed my heart. His hand came around my hip and he bent his head, his mouth by my ear as he whispered, “I’m sorry it was just us in the church. This is for you. Surprise,amore mio.”

Emotion swelled inside me and something in my chest cracked, warmth pouring through the creases. How could someone who had threatened my sister-in-law and all but forced me to marry him be so fucking sweet?

I pecked him on the cheek, and without another word, I took off toward my girls. A huge smile graced my face as I reached them, squeezing them all into a circle. We crashed in a messy hug, laughing. You’d think we hadn’t seen each other in months, not just a few weeks.

“Fuck, I’m suffocating,” Raven mumbled, laughter coloring her voice.

“Holy shit,” Reina breathed. “I can’t believe you aremarried.”

“I knew you were obsessed with daddy dick.” I choked hearing Raven’s words.

“There are kids here,” I said, giving her a pointed look.

“Oops.”

I eased back to see their faces, signing and talking at the same time. “I’m so happy you’re here. It’s been a hell of a day.”

Phoenix shook her head, her eyes darting behind me as she signed without speaking. “I’ll say. Did he force you to marry him?”

I answered wordlessly. “Kind of, with a tiny bit of blackmail.”

All the girls widened their eyes, their gazes traveling to Enrico, then Manuel, to the boys, then back to Enrico.

“At least he’s hot,” Athena signed. “Getting laid will be fun.”

Raven chuckled. “Someone’s gotta take one for the team.”

“Are you a stepmom now?” Phoenix asked.

I glared at her and signed, my hand movements slightly erratic.“Don’t say that word.”

The girls snickered, throwing their heads back and laughing, when the clearing of a throat interrupted us.

“I want to know what you’re saying too,” Enzo demanded, his expression slightly darkening.

“They’re probably saying how hot we are,” Amadeo said, his wolfish grin wide.

The girls laughed, shaking their heads.

“Ladies, you better be careful,” I warned, smiling. “Enzo and Amadeo here are heartbreakers. They’ll seduce you and then leave you.”