Page 14 of His to Break

Knowing the drill because I’ve always had bodyguards, I remain seated until Leo gets out of the car and scans our surroundings. I notice a couple of men from the vehicles that escorted us do the same. If I wasn’t used to this level of protection, I’d be pretty freaked out by it.

When Leo is satisfied there aren’t assassins lurking nearby, he opens my door and helps me out of the car. As we walk into the boutique, a tall, blonde woman in her thirties is waiting for us. In a skintight red dress and towering heels, she looks like she’s going clubbing rather than working in a shop all day. I feel incredibly scruffy next to her. I’ve had to re-wear my black dress, the only item of clothing I currently possess.

“Mr. Volante,” the woman gushes. “Mrs. Vecchio told me you’d be coming in. She apologizes for not being here personally, but I will be happy to assist you with whatever you need.”

The way her eyes rake over my husband’s impressive body suggests she’d be delighted to offer services beyond whatever her job usually entails.

“You won’t be needed.” Leo waves her off with a dismissive flick of the wrist and she quickly retreats. He turns to me. “Look around. I need to make a call.”

Trying not to be upset by his abrupt manner, I walk around the store. It’s pretty in here. The floors and walls are a stark white, but it’s softened by beautiful floral arrangements and there’s a pink chaise longue with fluffy pillows and a low glass table in front of it. This is the sort of boutique where the client sits and sips champagne while the assistant presents them with different clothing options. It doesn’t seem as if Leo’s interested in receiving VIP treatment, though.

As I peruse the gorgeous dresses on the racks, I realize I’m not going to find much in here. Everything is really fancy and my style is more down to earth. I take a red silk gown from the rack and study it more closely. Leo’s voice drifts to me. Whoever he’s on the phone with, he clearly isn’t happy with them.

“You said you’d meet us at the fucking store.” He pauses for the other person to speak. “Well, where the fuck are you? You’d better be.”

I cringe, pitying whoever it is who’s bearing the brunt of his bad temper. He shoves his phone into his inside jacket pocket just as a young brunette saunters through the door of the boutique. Wearing skinny black jeans, a white organza top, and high-heeled ankle boots, she looks effortlessly stylish. She throws her hands up as she approaches Leo.

“I’m here.”

“About fucking time.” He turns to me. “Vinnie, come here.”

Stunned at being spoken to like I’m a dog, I trot over to his side.

“This is Vinnie,” he tells the young woman. “Help her choose a wardrobe. Get everything. I don’t give a shit about cost.”

“Leo!” I protest, more affronted by his hostile demeanor than his willingness to throw his cash around.

He glares down at me. “John and Dino will stick around. If they tell you to jump, do it.”

Shaking his head at the brunette, he storms out without so giving me so much as a goodbye peck on the cheek. His behavior is mortifying.

“Rude prick,” the young woman mutters. Leo didn’t even bother to introduce us properly.

“I am so sorry. I don’t know which charm school my husband attended, but he needs to ask for his money back.”

“Husband?” The incredulity in her voice takes me by surprise. “Leo isn’t married.”

Oh, shit. She looks upset. Has the insensitive asshole called in some girlfriend of his to help me shop? Perhaps it’s his way of getting back at me for blindsiding him and his brothers at Aphrodite’s the other night.

“I’m afraid he is. We married last night.”

Her piercing blue eyes study me closely. “You’re serious?”

I nod. The woman, who appears to be several years younger than me, gets out her cellphone and makes a call. She turns from me as someone on the other ends answers. “Mamma, I’m at Cass Vecchio’s boutique… with Leo’s wife.”

The screech from the other end of the call is so loud I hear it. What follows sounds like a string of questions, but I can’t make any of them out. As the brunette turns back to me, my heart sinks. Her piercing blue eyes and glossy brown hair are the same as Leo’s. I was too startled by events to see it before, but her facial features, though softer, resemble his.

“Of course she’s beautiful… I don’t know… Yes, okay… Later… We need to shop… Okay… Bye, Mamma.”

She shoves her phone into her purse and adopts an angry stance with hands on hips.

“What’s the matter?” I ask, although I suspect I already know the answer.

“I’m Olivia Volante, Leo’s sister, and you, Mrs. Volante, have some explaining to do.”

CHAPTER 7

Leo

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