Page 64 of Tragic Empire

Armani ignores his antics but asks, “Should we be? You’re married.”

“We didn’t exactly have a traditional start to this arrangement,” I answer, folding my arms. “You know that. Did you two expect this?”

The men share a look.

“I mean…” Armani rubs the back of his neck. “Ana, darling, the two of you have been sharing a bed for over a month now.”

“I’m surprised you didn’t start sucking face sooner,” Colton adds. “You’re both hot. Hot people make out, it’s simple math.”

“Math?” I ask incredulously.

“Hot wife plus hot husband equals—” he stops speaking and starts making smoochy noises.

A high-pitched laugh erupts from me before I can stop it. “You are incorrigible.”

“You love it,” Colton tosses back, grinning wide. “I’m delightful.”

Armani scoffs. “Ignore him. The point is, we’re happy for you. And for Cassio. You both deserve to find happiness together.”

Colton nods rapidly, agreeing without question. “And Cassio is a ride, girl. I want details when you finally get on that thang.”

My mouth drops open, and I watch humor light up in his eyes.

“Oh my god,” Armani groans. “No details for me, thank you.”

“What if I need advice?” I ask, nibbling on my bottom lip. “I can’t exactly ask Jade, and I was only with Cole once…”

The tattooed Moretti brother goes from a little disgusted by the idea of details to giving me a soft and encouraging smile in an instant.

“Advice I can do, pretty girl,” he says happily. “Colton just likes to taunt me about my good looking family. I don’t mind hearing details if it’s about you and my brother—and Colton keeps his fake thirsting to a minimum. Sex is as natural as it gets.”

“He would know,” Colton quips. “Armani isKing of The Sluts, after all.”

The cowboy is shoved unceremoniously, and I laugh at their antics.

“Dick.”

“That’s hardly an insult. You love dick.”

“Quit talking about dick in front of my wife,” Cassio demands, returning to the living room with damp hair and dawning a dark blue set of loungewear. His arm wraps around my shoulders as he settles onto the couch, tugging me close. “What do you want for dinner?”

You.

Swallowing hard, I suggest, “Steak frites?”

Cassio nods. “Whatever you want,forza.”

All I want is him.

God, when did that happen?

ChapterTwenty-Two

Cassio

Kissing Ana tastes like liberation. Our wedding kiss was a performance, meant for outside eyes. It didn’t last long enough for me to truly take it in. But the first after that… it was a lightning strike of shock, shooting me right through the chest. I hadn’t expected Ana to initiate the contact as I wasn’t sure how close to moving on from Cole she was. But as soon as I felt her lips press against my own, I feltfree.

Chains of the past that once held me tight, shattered into a million pieces. I didn’t think or feel anything other than her. Ana Moretti consumed me. My once hopelessly grieving wife became my salvation, waking me up from years of bitter sleep.