Page 49 of Bratva Hunter

“I’m sure Marco wants to make sure we actually are married. Your grandfather mentioned a party. We’ll have photos done and offer them to the society page. That should settle this.”

His scent is a balm on my soul. I’m still angry, but he’s comforting. Am I really that weak? Breaking free from his grasp, I dig back into my lunch. I motion. “You should eat.”

He scans the counter as Mrs. Martin hands him a plate. “Thank you.” He scoops portions of various dishes onto his plate and takes the seat next to mine.

A few minutes later, my grandfather steps back into the kitchen. “I called Banner Campbell. His company, CPSP, will handle security for the party.”

Roric cocks his head. “Maybe we should step up security while we’re here.”

My grandfather nods. “They’re sending men to do just that.”

Chapter 13

RORIC

We’ve been in Dallas for two days. Light streams into the room through the edges of the blinds as my eyes focus. The room has a massive bathroom, a sitting room and a den. Rosa’s family has accepted me whole-heartedly, like I’ve always been one of them. The security guys have the property well in hand in case Marco or his thugs try to breach. Rosa breathes softly in my arms. She’s wearing sweats again, but navigated herself back into my arms in the night. She may not want to accept we’re married, but her body knows. Later this morning, she’s headed out with her mother to get her hair fixed. I’ll be happy for the blonde hair to go. Maybe I should go with them for added security.

“You can let me go.”

I nuzzle her neck. “Never. Look where you’re sleeping. You moved back to my side of the bed.”

She pulls away. “Whatever.”

I reluctantly let her slip from my grasp. She gets up, and I call out to her. “Don’t you think it’s time to forgive me?”

“Have you apologized?”

I bound out of bed, entering the bathroom before she can close the door. “I have. I am sorry for not telling you who I was. I apologize for your uncles taking you. I regret not telling you sooner that you matter to me. I was wrong.” Dropping to my knees, I take her hands in mine. “I love you. You love me, too. I know it.”

She wrenches her hands from mine. “Whether or not I love you is a moot point. You lied.”

“Yes. I lied. I will do my best to never lie to you again. You have to give me a second chance.”

She turns and strips off the sweats as my cock flies to attention, bobbing against my abdomen.

She points. “Fat chance.”

Shaking my head, I step out of the bathroom to call my father.

Later in the afternoon, Rosa and her entourage of women giggle in the first-floor guest room. Her grandmother arranged for dresses with accessories for the party, and they’re all choosing what to wear for our reception Saturday night.

Jackson approaches. “Want to go to town to get a suit?”

“Yeah. I guess I should.” We walk past Banner, who’s sitting on the wraparound front porch, chatting with another man. He extends his hand. “Everything on the property is secure.”

Jackson smiles. “Excellent. Thank you, Banner. Have you met my grandson-in-law?”

I nod. “Roric.”

Banner shakes my hand and asks Jackson. “You two heading out?”

“We’ll be back soon.”

He motions for me to get into his 1967 Corvette L88. My tongue hangs out of my mouth. This car is worth millions, and he just drives it around Dallas. “Aren’t you afraid someone will scratch this?”

“Oh, it’s been scratched. I’ve repaired the body work a couple times. But I bought this off the showroom floor, so it’s always been mine.”

The drive to downtown is pretty quiet. Is this guy saving up to pounce on me with questions when we stop? He pulls in front of a Mister Tuxedo in Snider Plaza. The salesman greets us at the door, welcoming Jackson by name. He motions for us to follow into the store. “Do you know which type of tuxedo you want?”

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