By the time I finally get to take my seat at the bridal table, I’m ready to go home.
With my bride.
My eyes move to Tess, who looks exquisite in her wedding gown. The tears she cried earlier did nothing to ruin the makeup. Her anger, Christ, it makes her look like a true queen.
My queen.
I didn’t get any work done yesterday, unable to focus on anything but Tess… getting married. It was too late to cancel, and with every passing minute, I felt more caged… out of control.
Until I was forced to face my true feelings and admit the unmistakable truth to myself. I wanted Tess. Her fear, her passion, her feistiness. I wanted it all to myself because I’ve fucking fallen in love with her.
I didn’t recognize the emotions, because I’ve never loved a woman before.
It was sobering, coming to terms with the real reason I was trying to get rid of her. She has power over me no one’s ever had. She can break me.
I’ve been taught to keep my friends close but my enemies closer. The same goes for Tess. I need to keep the only weakness I have right by my side and protect it with my life.
If Tess falls, I fall.
If she dies, I die.
No amount of whiskey could bury the realization, and thirty minutes before the wedding was set to take place, I spoke with Christos and my father. They couldn’t argue. One of the benefits of being the head of the mafia.
I’ll find a suitable wife for Christos, but Theresa is mine.
I’m still adjusting to the emotions I finally allowed to take root in my chest. Mostly, they make me feel like I’m going to lose my mind. The only thing keeping the chaos at bay is Tess.
It’s fucking crazy. The person responsible for the turbulent emotions in my chest is also the only one who can calm them. I’m like a rabid dog who becomes nothing more than a helpless puppy around his master – Tess.
I’m so fucked.
But at least she’s mine.
Andreas comes to the table, and I rise to my feet to hug my friend.
“You’re welcome,” he mutters, his voice thick with amusement.
“Fuck off.”
We chuckle as we pull apart, and I turn to my wife. “Tess, I want you to meet someone very important to me.”
She does nothing to hide her true feelings as she shoots me a glare while rising to her feet, then as if she’s flipping a switch, a smile sparkles on her face. It’s for Andreas, not me.
“This is Andreas Deroukakis. He’s my second in charge and best friend.” And one of the few men I’ll trust with Tess’ life.
“Pleasure to meet you,” Tess says.
When Andreas holds his hand out, I push it away. “You don’t have to touch her to greet her.”
My friend lets out a bark of laughter, then turns his attention to Tess. “You look beautiful, Tess. Congratulations on the wedding.”
“Thank you.” With her duty done, Tess drops down in the chair beside me, letting out a tired groan.
Andreas leans closer, murmuring softly, “Your bride doesn’t look too happy.”
“Of course not. She hates me,” I state the obvious.
“Still, she said yes.” Andreas pulls back, and his eyes lock with mine. “Something to think about.”
I watch him walk away, thinking about what he just said. Tess could’ve made a scene, but instead, she said her vows.
Sitting down, I let my eyes drift over her face.
Sure she’s angry, but she doesn’t look like someone who thinks her life ended today.
“Why did you say yes?” I ask.
Tess doesn’t even bother looking at me. “It’s easier to kill you in your sleep.”
The corner of my mouth curves up, and I let out an amused chuckle. I wrap my arm around her shoulders, and leaning into her, I whisper, “I think you said yes because you can’t get enough of my cock.”
I expect her to rip free from my hold, but instead, she lifts a hand to my jaw and brushes her fingers over the stubble like a loving wife would. “Just because I hate Asshole senior doesn’t mean I have to hate Asshole junior. How does it feel knowing the only need I’ll have for you is your cock?”
Bravo.
The Tess from the first day we met would’ve cowered in my presence and flinched at a fly, but the woman sitting next to me has become a true mafia queen. She’s learned to stand up for herself.
And fuck, if it’s not a turn-on.
I want to make her so fucking strong even my enemies will cower before her.
Frowning at me, she asks, “What’s that look for?”
“What look?”
Her eyes narrow. “You actually look proud right now.”
“That’s because I am.” Lifting my hand to the side of her neck, my thumb caresses her skin as I press a kiss to her mouth. “All things set aside, I’m proud that you’re finally fighting for yourself, Theresa.”
Her face goes slack, her lips parting as she does a double-take, clearly not expecting my praise.
“The stronger you are, the more power it gives me.”
Tess’ eyes flit over my face, searching for something. “You want me to be strong?”
“Of course. Your feistiness might drive me insane, but it’s the one thing I’ll never try to suppress. You’re a queen now. You need to be feared. It’s the most valuable commodity in our world.”
Confusion flutters over her features. “What about my dreams?”
“What about them?”
“Will you allow me to live out my dreams or try to control me?”
The corner of my mouth lifts again, my fingers gently tucking a curl into place while my gaze drifts over every inch of her exquisite beauty. “You can do anything you want to, little dreamer. As long as you do it by my side.”
A frown forms on her forehead, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. “I find that hard to believe, considering you’ve done everything in your power to control my life.” Pulling away from me, she leans back in her chair. “I’ll never trust a word from your lying mouth.” Giving me a sardonic smirk, she adds, “After all, I’m not that naïve.”
Well, at least our marriage won’t be boring. With time I’ll conquer Tess’ heart. I’ll drive her as insane as she drives me.
The speeches begin, my father first, then followed by Andreas. One person after the other spills their advice and jokes into the microphone until it’s time to open the dance floor.
The opening song is the only thing I had changed for today, and as Biblical by Callum Scott begins to fill the air, I pull Tess into my arms.
My eyes lock on hers as the words weave a spell around us, or at least, around me.
A slight frown settles between her eyes as she listens to the lyrics, then she mutters, “Seriously, who picked the song?”
“I did.”
Her frown deepens, then she lets out a sardonic chuckle. “Yeah, right.”
Lifting my hands to the sides of her head, I lean down and take her mouth, wanting her to keep quiet so I can have this moment.
Just like the kiss after we said our vows, Tess doesn’t try to stop it but instead gives herself over to me. I drown in her addictive innocence that I somehow haven’t yet corrupted.
If only she knew the power she held over me. I’d be truly fucked then.
Fear slithers into my heart, wrapping tightly around the emotions I have for this woman.
She can never know how I feel, not until she loves me, or she’ll use it to destroy me.
Breaking the kiss, my eyes drift over her face, my thumb brushing her bottom lip.
“I live in the land of confusion,” she whispers, still trying to make sense of everything that’s happened today.
That makes two of us, kardiá mou.
Realizing I just referred to her as my heart, I pull away and sigh in relief when Dad and Helena come toward us.
Dancing with my mother-in-law, the air is tense between us.
“I’ll take care of her,” I say to set Helena at ease.
“I know.”
Fuck, can this wedding be over already?
