He had a point, but I would not admit it. “That was a long time before the wedding, not to mention that I didn’t intend for anything to get to the press.”
“At least I keep my fucking private,” Samuel snapped.
I ignored his comment. “And what the fuck were you thinking letting Emma sit all by herself while everyone danced? As her fiancé, it’s your duty to keep her company. She’ll realize you don’t want her if you keep it up.”
“I went over to her and asked her if she wanted my company, but she told me to go dance. And maybe you should focus on making sure Sofia is happy. She is your wife, and so far, you’ve been a shitty fiancé. I don’t have much hope for your abilities as a husband. It was fucking embarrassing how you kept chasing those blonde girls like a little pussy who can’t get over being dumped.”
I slammed my elbow against his throat. “Maybe I just like fucking blondes, Samuel. I’m not the one who’s been moping for years now because my sister chose the enemy and not her supposed brotherly soulmate.”
Samuel shoved me back, and soon we were grappling.
“What are you doing?” Sofia’s horrified voice made us jump apart.
I cleared my throat and straightened my suit and tie. Samuel did the same, but not without sending me a death glare. As if that had any effect on me.
“Why are you fighting like a pair of five-year-olds?” Sofia asked, stepping between us as if she was worried we might be at each other’s throat again if she didn’t.
“We just had a small dispute. Nothing for you to worry about,” I said.
She shook her head and glanced at Samuel. “Maybe you should go to Emma.” Her voice was stern, and to my surprise, he left without another word.
Sofia turned to me. Now that we were alone, some of her confidence waned. She was definitely nervous about being alone with me.
“This shouldn’t have happened at our wedding,” I said as my version of an apology.
“You’re right. There are quite a few shouldn’t-have-happeneds in our past. Maybe we should try to minimize them.”
“Things aren’t always as easy as you might think. The world isn’t black and white.”
She huffed. “I know what the world is like, don’t worry. I’m not a naïve eleven-year-old anymore.”
“Remo destroyed more than one life.”
“Maybe Remo began the process of tearing down my innocent view on the world, but you finished the job five months ago.” Her lips formed a thin line as soon as the words were out, her eyes growing wide.
I froze. I couldn’t believe she was comparing me to that man. I moved very close to her until she had to tilt her head back. “Don’t compare me to that monster. I’m nothing like him.”
“I don’t know who you are,” she whispered. “I thought I did but that night I saw a side of you I wished didn’t exist.”
“I never meant to hurt you. If I’d known it was you under that wig, I would have never laid hand on you.”
“I know,” she said bitterly. “If you’d known it was me, you would have ignored me like you have all these years.”
I shook my head. “You were a kid.”
“I wasn’t Serafina.”
My pulse spiked as it always did when I heard that name and the familiar wave of fury washed through me. I felt the almost irresistible urge to push Sofia against the wall and kiss her then slide my hand under her skirt and have my fucking way with her.
Anna appeared in the doorway, glancing between Sofia and me. “Can I have a word with you, Sofia?”
I stepped back from my wife, shoving my hands into my pockets. Anna slanted me a curious look.
Sofia nodded almost dazedly. A flicker of unease reflected on her face—a look I’d created. Fuck. I needed to keep myself in check around her. I’d already fucked up majorly once. I needed to stay in control and be the gentleman Sofia expected.
She disappeared with Anna without another word. It didn’t take a genius to know the girls would be talking about me.
Of course, Pietro intercepted me on my way back to the party.
“Can I have a word with you?” There was an edge to his voice.
I wasn’t in the mood for a worried-father lecture but offending my father-in-law on my wedding day wasn’t on my agenda, either, so I followed him back out into the courtyard. He took out two cigars and held one out to me. “Cuban. The best you can get. One won’t kill you.”
I took the cigar. Pietro took out his knife and cut off the end of his cigar then off mine. I suppressed a snort at this gesture. I had a feeling taking out his knife was supposed to send a silent warning. We smoked our cigars in silence for a couple of minutes before Pietro finally cut to the chase. “I couldn’t protect one daughter, but I’m determined to protect Sofia.” I didn’t miss his avoidance of Serafina’s name.
“Sofia’s my wife, and I can assure you, I’ll protect her, and if you worry that you’ll have to protect her from me, I swear you won’t have to. Have I ever given you a reason to doubt me?”
Pietro slowly shook his head. I wondered how this conversation would have gone if I’d admitted to the party incident. I had a feeling Pietro would have had a hard time not using his knife on me. “Samuel mentioned some concerns regarding your conduct with other women in the past.”
I’d kill him. “There’s a difference between those women and my wife. Not to mention that those women were into it, so even with them, I have nothing to feel guilty for.”
Pietro sighed and took another deep drag of his cigar. “Sofia is infatuated with you. That’s a consolation. Just don’t fuck it up.”
A little too late for that warning.
I nodded.
