Page 3 of Unruly Protector
The limo comes to a stop and we patiently wait for Gian, the driver, to open the door.I get out and hold my hand out for Caterina.Her fingers slide over my palm and I have to say, everything about this woman is enthralling.All those hours stuck on a plane didn’t diminish one single inch of her beauty.
“Where would you like me to place their luggage, sir?”Gian asks.
The man has served my uncle for over twenty years and is now my personal driver.I only need his services when I have a meeting that needs the limo, otherwise I’m driving myself.Of course, he’s also valuable in other things besides being behind the wheel, he’s a loyal employee.
“Caterina’s can be placed in front of my bedroom.Show Mattia upstairs, he can pick one of the guest rooms,” I absently reply.
I’m guiding Caterina into the house.My first stop will be to my office where I’ll call Arturo and Leandro to meet me today instead of tomorrow.I need to surround myself with other people to prevent being alone with her.
We almost reach the office when Mattia asks, “Why doesn’t Caterina get one of the guest bedrooms?”
I stop in my tracks and slowly face him.There is no need to address the matter or so much as hand this idiot an explanation.But this fucker has been on my nerves since the second he got off the plane, his hands on the woman that was promised to me.The whole charade Caterina blabbered about to keep her friend and guard close feels like keeping her lover close with this fucker spitting out this fucking question.
“Mattia, it’s okay,” Caterina says in a sweet voice, adding to my fury and with it fueling the flame to my suspicions of them being lovers.
“Gian,” I bellow.“No need to bring Mattia’s luggage inside.He’s not staying here.”
Caterina sighs.“Mattia, can you give us a moment, please?”
Mattia’s eyes bounce between me and Caterina.He decides to ignore Caterina.“Are you going to discard traditions and take her before the wedding?Do you think being the head of the Famiglia allows you to breach rules and traditions and make your own?”
I raise my chin and give the idiot a smirk.“Good to know you do realize who’s the boss.Though you’re a fucking idiot if you think you can speak to me like that.”
“Mattia,” Caterina says, the name a firm reprimand and yet she barely raises her voice.
“No, Cat,” Mattia snaps.
“Cat?Nice familiarity, asshole.You fucked her good too?Is this why you’re nervous about her being in my bedroom?Afraid I’m going to find out she’s been dishonored?Did you think the two of you would have two weeks to kill me before the wedding takes place?Which would be the moment I discover my future wife was in fact deflowered by a mere soldier?I think you’ve overstayed your welcome.Deflowered or not, this bitch is promised to me.And it’s none of your damn business when, how, or if I take her.”
His temper gets the better of him when he launches forward.Before I can raise my gun—and put a bullet in the head of the idiot who dares to attack me in my own home—Caterina is standing in front of me.
“Leave,” she says in such a calm and collected voice it intrigues the hell out of me.
How does she manage to keep control of her feelings in this heated situation?Mattia glares at me for a few more breaths before Caterina and I are alone for the first time.
She slowly turns around to face me and I believe I’m now seeing the true Caterina.The way she doesn’t jab a finger against my chest—the way my sister would do whenever she gives me a piece of her mind—but actually curls her fingers into a fist to punch my shoulder, indicates I underestimated her.
“Out of line,” she grits through her teeth.“That boy has never touched me.I would never let any man other than my husband touch me.I was trained for this moment.To be your wife.Don’t diminish my intentions or values.And for sure as shit don’t twist Mattia’s protectiveness into something it’s not.He’s young, he’s a hot head, but he’s well trained and has been my friend for years since we grew up together.Fucking him would be against all my beliefs.Not to mention he’s three years younger than me and the mere thought is insane since he’s like a brother to me.And again, I was trained for this moment.If you think I’m a brainless bitch who will spread her legs for any man and has no value for herself, then I do hope you sleep with one eye open so you see me coming.Because I will kill your ignorant ass to rid this world of your stupidity.”
“There she is.”I can’t hold back the proud smirk.
I knew this woman was hiding her inner temperamental spitfire, and I’m man enough to acknowledge when I’ve found my match.Even if this is merely one reply, I know this woman’s soul is deep and unique.A puzzle I can unravel and I know for sure it’s something she won’t allow and will put up a fight if I tried.I just fucking know it.
“Spitting out threats to kill me is kind of ruining the surprise, don’t you think?”I slide my gun back in the holster, take a step closer, and lean in so we’re nose to nose.“I have to give you credit, you do know how to keep your mask firmly in place.Do you take it off when your pretty boy is around?”
Her eyes narrow.“Nothing goes off when my little, non-blood related, brother is around.You don’t know me, Clemente.You don’t have to because I am the woman chosen to be linked to you for life.My loyalty and trust will be proven since I live to serve my place in the mafia world I was raised in with my eyes wide open.Failure isn’t acceptable in any shape or form.I can withstand anything you throw at me but, spewing lies about the one person I trust isn’t something I tolerate.Even more when that person is protecting me with his actions.Actions I admit weren’t exactly tactful, but he’s young and still learning how to control his temper.”
Her words ignite a bright smile to slide in place.Oh, I do think my uncle picked the right woman for me.My life just became much more interesting.
