Page 27 of The Enforcer's Possession
I opened my mouth to argue, then saw Antonio Rossi approaching and thought better of it.The last thing I needed was Papa’s consigliere witnessing a marital spat three hours into the marriage.
Antonio moved through the crowd with practiced ease, a champagne glass in one hand and that neutral expression firmly in place.He nodded to several guests as he passed but didn’t stop until he reached us.
“Mrs.De Luca.”He said my new name with careful precision, like he was testing how it sounded.“You look radiant.”
“Thank you, Antonio.”I kept my voice pleasant despite wanting to tell him exactly where he could shove his compliments.“You look dapper as always.”
His lips curved slightly -- the closest thing to a genuine smile I’d ever seen from him.“May I have a moment with the newlyweds?”
Dante nodded once.Antonio stepped closer, dropping his voice to a level that wouldn’t carry beyond our small circle.
“I wanted to congratulate you both personally.”His gaze flicked to me, then back to Dante.“Giuseppe is pleased with the arrangement, despite his… reservations about the process.”
“Good to know.”The words came out sharper than I intended.
Antonio’s expression didn’t change.“I’m sure you understand that marriages in our world serve purposes beyond personal happiness.The strategic benefits of this union --”
“Are substantial,” Dante finished.“I’m aware.”His hand moved up from my waist to the back of my neck, his fingers warm against my skin.“Everyone gets something they want.”
Antonio studied us for a long moment, his sharp eyes taking in every detail of how Dante held me, how I stood stiffly at his side, the tension visible despite our attempts to hide it.
“Indeed,” he said finally.“Well.I won’t take up more of your time.Enjoy the reception.”He started to turn away, then paused.“Oh, and, Caterina?Your father would like a word before you leave.Briefly.”
Great.Exactly what I needed -- Papa reminding me that I’d made my bed and now had to lie in it.
Antonio disappeared back into the crowd.Dante’s hand remained at my neck, his thumb tracing the line of my spine in a way that made me shiver despite myself.
“Later,” he said.“We’ll speak to Giuseppe later.After I’m finished showing you off.”
Showing me off.Like I was a trophy he’d won.A prize he’d claimed.The thought made my stomach turn even as my body responded traitorously to his touch.
We continued circulating.More conversations with associates and family members, false smiles and strategic pleasantries.More of Dante’s hand on my body, claiming me in ways both subtle and obvious.
I’d just finished a conversation with Francesca -- who’d studied me with unsettling intensity while making comments about how I’d need to adjust to the De Luca way of doing things -- when I saw him.
The man was unremarkable at first glance.Mid-forties, expensive suit, the kind of face that blended into a crowd.But there was something in the way he moved, the deliberate path he cut through the guests, that made my spine stiffen.
Dante felt my tension.His hand tightened at my waist.“What is it?”
“I don’t know him.”I kept my voice low.“But he’s heading straight for us.”
Dante followed my gaze.His entire body went rigid, his posture shifting from relaxed to predatory in an instant.The change was so complete, so sudden, that several nearby guests noticed and stepped away unconsciously.
The man reached us.Smiled.It didn’t reach his eyes.
“Congratulations on your marriage.”His voice was pleasant, cultured.Nothing about it suggested danger.But Dante’s hand had moved from my waist to my shoulder, his grip tight enough now to be uncomfortable.“I’ve been asked to deliver a gift on behalf of an interested party.”
He held out a small box.Black velvet, expensive.The kind of thing that should contain jewelry.
Dante didn’t reach for it.“Who sent it?”
“Someone who wanted to express his… regrets that he couldn’t attend the ceremony.”The man’s smile widened slightly.“Marco Vitale sends his congratulations and hopes you’ll enjoy your wedding gift.”
The box suddenly looked sinister.Dante’s hand left my shoulder to intercept it before I could react.He took it carefully.
“Tell Marco,” Dante said, his voice dropping to a register I hadn’t heard before -- cold and absolutely lethal, “that any further gifts will be returned.Personally.In pieces.”
The man’s smile faltered.Just for a second.Just long enough to show he’d gotten the message.
