Page 28 of Vicious Union

I’m going to have fun tonight, damn it. And no one can stop me.

CHAPTER 9

Emilio

Caterina is drunk.

She’s on her fifth glass of wine. I tried to stop her throughout the night, but she kept saying, “It’s a party!” and chugging more. Whenever I looked over at Francesco to see if he had any issue with what his daughter was doing, he didn’t seem to. He was out on the dance floor having a good time.

I even tried taking her drink from her, but she’d just go to the bar and get another. When I reminded her it costs money, she shrugged and said, “Not my money.” Then she laughed in my face.

Now, she’s on the dance floor with Gabriella, Lara, and Ophelia. The four of them are laughing and spinning around like they don’t have a care in the world. I walk over to my brothers and ask them if they have a problem with that.

“Problem with what?” Massimo asks. “My wife having fun?” He snorts. “Hell, no. I love when Ophelia has fun. In fact, I think I’m going to go join her right now.” He practically runs onto the dance floor and scoops Ophelia up into his arms. She tosses her head back and smiles.

“That really doesn’t bother you?” I ask Rocco, who’s still standing beside me. “That Lara is on the dance floor without you? That she’s dancing the way she is.”

Rocco looks at me hard. “You were always the one who needed things to be perfect. To be about reputation.”

“You used to care about our family’s reputation. You still do.”

“Of course. But now I care more about our family’s safety than anything else. We have more to lose now.” He nods at our wives. “More at stake. Especially with Dante still out there. Who knows when he might show up and cause trouble? I have to make sure my family is protected. After the things Lara and I have been through, I just don’t care as much about the perception of things.” He sighs. “So, to answer your question, Emilio. No. It doesn’t bother me to see my wife dancing with her friends. Once, it would have. Now, I love seeing her happy. You should learn to appreciate that Caterina is a woman who knows how to have fun. It might do you some good.” He claps me on the back before walking onto the dance floor and pulling Lara in.

She leans right into him, resting her head on his shoulder.

I look at Caterina, who’s dancing with just Gabriella now. She’s laughing loudly and shimmying her body in a way I find vulgar.

Why was I given the wild bride? I don’t want the wild bride. I want a respectable woman who’ll follow my wants and wishes. Caterina has a mind of her own, and it drives me crazy. It makes me want to spank her even as I want to kiss her. No other woman has made me feel this way.

I hate it.

I walk over to Francesco, who’s by the bar, ordering a drink. “Do you not see how your daughter is acting right now?”

Francesco glances at her, then shrugs. “She’s dancing. She loves to dance. I’ve always encouraged that in her.”

“She’s drunk, Francesco. Don’t you think that’s a little inappropriate for a woman to behave like that? At her own wedding?”

“I mean … I don’t love it. But Caterina isn’t my little girl anymore. She’s a married woman today. She’s getting her first taste of freedom, and I can’t fault her for that.”

It’s not her first taste of freedom, I want to say, but I hold back. “So, there’s nothing you’re going to do about that?” I point at Caterina, who’s now twerking. Twerking. I shudder.

Francesco chuckles and pats my shoulder. “She’s your responsibility now, Emilio. Not mine. I love my daughter, and I’m going to see her happy. She’s just dancing. It’s her wedding day. It’s harmless. Her reputation won’t be ruined by doing that. I suggest you go out there and dance with her. I think she’d appreciate it.”

“How do you know? Has … has she talked to you about that?”

“No. But I saw the way she looked at you at the rehearsal dinner. She likes you.”

I’m stunned by Francesco’s words. Caterina doesn’t like me. That’s impossible. She hates me just like I hate her. That’s why we’ll never work and why this marriage was a mistake.

Before I can respond, Francesco is walking away.

I’m not going to have anyone tell me what to do. The only person who can do that is Rocco and that’s because he’s my boss.

I refuse to go dance with Caterina while she acts like a drunk lunatic, so I stand on the sidelines until it’s time for us to retreat to our suite for the night.

* * *

“Our what?” she asks over the loud music.

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