Page 25 of Wicked Throne

"Gorgeous necklace," she said and shook Diamond's hand. "I had heard rumors that you'd gotten married."

Before I could say much more, Diamond began to fawn over me. Her hand went to the nape of my neck and she trailed her fingers through my hair.

"Thierry is so full of surprises," I heard her say, her Georgia accent becoming more pronounced. "He sure knows how to woo a woman. Don't you, babe?"

Talia raised an eyebrow of her own. She turned to a passing waiter. "Champagne for the couple, it's on the house."

The waiter scurried away and she turned back to us. "Well, I won't keep you and your new bride, Thierry but I understand that you wanted a meeting with the other families. I'm here to let you know that they don't want to join forces with you."

"Ah," I nodded, my hand had wound its way around Diamond's waist. I didn't want to think about how good it felt resting there. "So they sent you."

Talia shrugged, her chocolate colored curls giving a slight bounce. "My father is not well these days. I am his voice and the voice of the organization. We won't meet again. Eat and drink your fill....but you are not welcome here or anywhere else that is owned by the five families after tonight."

Crush them,my mind thought.

But I couldn't overplay my hand.

I would bring them to their knees soon enough.

"Are you sure there is no way I can change your mind?"

Talia looked at her nails in a bored fashion. "Absolutely not."

Giving a slight nod. "Understood."

Talia's face gave a tight smile and forced her features to look even more snake-like than I could think was possible. "Have a goodnight."

Both Diamond and I watched her and her silent goons leave. A chill went up my back and only faded when she was finally out of sight.

"Your ex, I presume?" Diamond asked later.

"From nearly twenty years ago," I nodded.

"She's very...."

"What?"

"She's very bold...on other circumstances, I'm sure I would have liked her. She has taste...her shoes had to have cost a fortune."

A deep laugh rumbled from my body. I was sure that Talia Giancana had reminded my wife of herself just now. It was funny but I had never thought much about it but Diamond and Talia were similar in many ways.

Bold.

Well dressed.

Well educated.

Alpha females.

Ruthless,I thought.

It wasn't until we were outside and walking towards the waiting car that I realized how ruthless Talia could be.

The sound of a motorbike could be heard. Before I could turn to see what was happening, bullets were spraying.

Everything happened so quickly as I dove in front of Diamond to keep her from getting hit. All around us people were screaming and the sound of glass breaking filled my ears.

Enzo...where is Enzo?My mind raced as I took in Diamond's shocked face beneath me.