Page 58 of Forced Vows

"No way. You didn't want anything to do with planning the party. You had your chance to give your input on the present and you said—"

"I know what I said," I interrupt.

"You gave me free reign and I know she's going to like it. Don't ruin it with your made man ego."

"Don't think that's a thing."

"It's a thing," Catalina assures me.

"My wife took the time to buy your fiancée a gift and you will give it to her." Sev's tone isn't or-I'll-kill-you-now, but it's close.

The synthesized four beat rock elevator chime is loud in the silence of the club.

Cazzo. That's probably Róise and her family now.

Maybe I can send Angelo to pick the cat out with her. The Angel of Death has a soft spot for animals.

The doors slide open revealing an older woman with bright orange-red hair, Róise, and the bodyguards I assigned her.

Róise's dress doesn't have pink accents. It is pink. From the hem of the flirty skirt that hits well above her knees to the tight, glittery bodice that cups and presents her perfect tits enticingly.

Her shoes aren't stilettos like the first night we met, but the silver strappy sandals add a couple of inches to her height. Her beautiful legs are bare and an image of her wrapping them around my waist while I pound into her flashes through my brain.

My cock stirs with immediate interest.

I count dead bodies to put my libido back to sleep.

Nestled in Róise's chin length burnished brown curls is a tiara made with some kind of pink gemstone, set in platinum. It could be white gold, but I would pick platinum if I were buying it for her.

Her necklace and earrings compliment the tiara and something primitive inside me rebels at the thought of another man, even her uncle, buying her jewelry.

Beside her, the older woman who barely reaches five feet, leans on a…glittery pink cane. They make pink canes? That glitter?

Other than the cane, the older woman's pale blue dress is every bit as understated and sophisticated as my mother's.

Róise's gaze travels around the club, going bright and a smile curves her lips as she takes in the decorations.

I guess pink isn't so bad.

Her eyes connect with mine and another jolt of arousal powerful enough to run the club lights zaps me deep in the balls.

Accidente. This woman.

With barely a pause, Róise's gaze moves on and warms when she spots Catalina beside me.

"Cat! It's fantastic," she cries as she heads toward my sister-in-law.

Cat? I mouth to Sev.

He shrugs, but his mouth sets in a firm line. He doesn't like other people giving Catalina nicknames.

I shove his shoulder with mine. "Your possessive bone is showing."

"Say that to me this time next year," he taunts right back. "Don't think I haven't noticed the way your eyes follow her whenever she's in the room."

"You've seen us together twice and tonight I haven't even spoken to her yet."

"Exactly."

---