Page 157 of Villainous Kingpin
“Bas?” I whispered so nobody else could hear us.
His gaze found mine and the memories of all our firsts flashed through my mind. There was so much I could see in the intensity of his gaze that I feared whether he felt it too. Or was it just my imagination?
“I wasn’t going to run,” I murmured softly. “In the church.”
A rumble of satisfaction, or maybe disbelief, traveled up his throat and he bent his head to press a kiss to my mouth. But he said nothing, leaving me to wonder whether he even believed me.
We were in this for better or worse. We’d have to learn to trust each other.
“Bas?”
“Hmmm.”
“Can we talk tonight?” The day of Gio’s attack would have to be addressed. He had asked me why I left. Repeatedly. If we didn’t clear the air and come to some agreement, it wouldn’t be a good start to our marriage.
“I was hoping we’d do more than talk on our wedding night,” he answered, his dark eyes full of sinful promises.
“But maybe we can talk about the day-” I paused for a moment. It was hard to think about that day, never mind talk about it. “Talk about the day I left,” I finished.
Surprise flickered in his eyes.
“Tonight,” he agreed.
He slipped his hand into mine, and we headed to our seats where the soft music filled the large backyard with views of the Atlantic ocean stretched for miles around.
Once seated, Davina took my hand that clutched my dress and squeezed it gently. “It’s almost over.”
Our table seated Mom, Uncle, Dante, Emory, Priest, Ivy, Juliette, Killian, and Basilio’s uncle. My eyes darted to my mother who sat stiffly next to Uncle Liam. I couldn’t help but remember what she had told me about falling in love with Gio’s brother. It had to be Bas’ uncle.
I wanted to apologize to her. Hug her and tell her Bas wasn’t his father. Tell her Priest was the son she lost. She hadn’t even glanced to their side of the table. Although I caught more than plenty of gazes flickered her way - by Priest, Dante, and their father.
I didn’t know what to think of it.
Dante rose from his chair and clinked his glass to get everyone’s attention. I tried hard to focus on his toast but my ears buzzed so loud, I heard nothing but the thunder of my own heart.
Uncle was next. From the corner of my eye, I caught the tattooed, bulky body moving gracefully through the tables to sit down at the Nikolaev table. I shot up and everyone’s eyes came to me.
I froze and Sasha’s eyes met mine. A terse nod and a resemblance of a smile. I breathed a sigh of relief. It was his reassurance that he wouldn’t hurt Bas.
Davina took my hand and tugged me down. Slowly, I lowered myself back into the seat. Bas’ lips tightened and his dark eyes held mine. He leaned over, his breath hot against my earlobe. “If I catch you with him, he’s a dead man.”
A strangled laugh escaped me. I worried about protecting Bas from Sasha, while my reckless husband threatened to kill him. How perfectly ironic! A fucking circus.
My uncle started his toast. “From the moment Wynter was born and I held her in my arms, I gave her and my sister a promise. I swore I’d keep her safe.” His eyes narrowed on my new husband. “She’s my family and no matter her last name, if she hurts, I’ll come for her.”
“Nothing beats that speech,” I muttered under my breath except everyone at our table heard it.
“I bet I could outdo him,” Juliette snickered.
I shook my head. “Please don’t.”
She grinned. “Only because I love you.”
“And she wants your Jeep,” Ivy added, which earned her a glare from Juliette.
“Juliette is not getting a car,” Uncle snapped. “Not until she can prove she is safe to others and herself while driving.”
“That would be never,” Davina scoffed.
