I groan inwardly and duck under Mikhail’s arm to insert myself between them, placing my palms on my husband’s chest and shaking my head. Mikhail looks at me, then at Marcus, and starts squeezing his neck. He’s going to strangle him. I try pulling on Mikhail’s arm, but he tightens his grip while Marcus tries to pry his fingers away and fights for breath. Everyone stares. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. I raise onto the tips of my toes and hook my hands around Mikhail’s neck.
“Mikhail,” I say, hoping that hearing my voice will shake him from his anger. “Please.”
He looks down at me and holds my gaze for a few seconds, then looks back at Marcus. “If I see you near my wife again,” he barks and lets go, “you’re dead.”
As expected, Marcus turns on his heel and runs off, coughing. He was always a coward. I am so angry at him, and if I see Allegra, I’m going to strangle her on the spot for spreading those lies.
“What did he want?” Mikhail asks.
I am not sure if I should tell him. He already looks half-mad, and even though he’s speaking to me, he follows Marcus with his gaze, as if he plans on going after him. The crowd around us has gone utterly quiet, and everyone is looking in our direction, whispering to each other. Dear God, could people be thinking the things Marcus said? I place my palm on Mikhail’s cheek to bring his attention to me.
“He just asked about some gossip. Forget it.”
Mikhail throws a look at the people staring at us, some of them even within listening distance, who are visibly eager to overhear our conversation.
He looks down at me. “What gossip?” he signs.
I grin. “You are so sexy when you sign, husband.”
“Don’t change the subject. I know you two were engaged.”
Oh, Nonna Giulia and her big mouth. “We were never engaged. He wanted to marry me. I said no.”
“He touched you.” Mikhail is signing so fast, I am barely able to follow. “If he touches you again, I’m going to end him.”
“He will never make that mistake again.” I touch his chest before continuing. “There is only one man I want to touch me. No need to be jealous.”
I see a corner of his lips lift a little. That’s good.
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
We should put a stop to the idiotic rumors that Mikhail is keeping me against my will. Right away. I raise my eyebrows, grab a fistful of his shirt, rise onto my tiptoes, and lift my chin. Mikhail regards me. He is still angry. I see it in his eye, and the way he is gritting his teeth. I sigh and place my palms on either side of his face. My beautiful, dark husband. Can’t he see how crazy I am for him?
“Kiss me,” I utter.
His nostrils flare, and the next moment, he crashes his lips to mine. Someone gasps behind me, but I just wind my arms around Mikhail’s neck and block out everything, and everyone, else. Let the fuckers watch, we’ll give them better material for the rumor mill.
“Get a room, you two,” Nonna Giulia says, passing us by.
I smile against Mikhail’s lips.
“Good advice.” He bends, scoops me into his arms, and carries me away from the crowd.
As we reach the gate, I look over his shoulder and find most of the guests watching our retreating forms. Allegra’s face is among them, horrified. I smile and wave at her.
When we get to the car, Mikhail opens the passenger door, places me on the seat, and then just stares at me. Based on his white-knuckled grip on the door with his right hand, he is still furious. His arm shakes with the strength of his hold, and I can almost imagine the metal cracking under his grip.
“How many men have asked you to marry them so far?” he asks through clenched teeth.
I bite my lower lip, wondering how to reply. If I take his question literally, then none. But if he means how many men asked my father for my hand in marriage over the past two years, he won’t like the answer. As a capo’s daughter, I was considered quite a catch. I did say no each time, of course. Half of them I haven’t even met, and most of them were Father’s business associates. Father wasn’t pleased when I systematically rejected each of his partners, but Milene was still a minor then, so he couldn’t use her as blackmail.
Slowly, I lift my right hand with three fingers up, and Mikhail’s eye widens. I bite my lip harder, then add my other hand, all five fingers splayed wide.
“Eight?” he inhales and closes his eye.
I lean forward, wrap my hand around his arm and place a kiss on his tightly pressed lips. He’s hot when he is mad.