Page 36 of Now and Forever

“I thought you seemed surprised to see him.”

“He’s associated with Roríguez, but our truce wasn’t with Herrera. We’ve banned his products in our city. He’s tried to undercut our dealers and more critically, his shit isn’t safe. He laces it. You can’t make money from dead clients.”

“I didn’t know he was invited.”

“He wasn’t on the guest list we approved. That and the news that your brother attempted to arm you last night have me on edge.”

“About my family?” I asked.

“You’re now a Luciano.”

I thought about what he said. It was more information than Papá would ever share. “Thank you for talking to me. I appreciate that you explain yourself. My father doesn’t always do that. It’s his way. Final. No discussion.”

Dario grinned. “It’smyway final.”

I nodded.

“That said, discussion is the only way to learn. I didn’t agree to a wife simply for a regular fuck.”

I remembered him saying he hadn’t wanted to marry. My expression contorted as I moved.

“Are you sore?”

“Yes,” I replied honestly. “If regular means every night, I think I’m going to need a few nights off.”

Dario’s laugh rumbled through the air. “We can discuss the frequency of regular after we get to our place.” He looked around the room. “I recommend you go and cover yourself with a robe. I would expect my mother and aunts will be here soon.”

I scooted to the headboard and sat up, pulling the blankets over my bare breasts. “Here? Why?”

“They’ll claim it’s to help us, but in reality, it’s to see if we?—”

“Had sex?” I said, mortified. “They’ll see the blood.”

Dario nodded.

“What if…what if you hadn’t been my first?”

“I had a plan, but I didn’t need it.” He leaned down and kissed me. “Thank you.”

“Maybe we should strip the bed,” I suggested.

“They’re old women, and this is what they do.”

Crossing my arms over my breasts, I stared straight ahead. “I don’t like this.” I looked at my husband’s smug grin. “Maybe I can skip breakfast.”

He shook his head. “A few hours and then we’ll leave.”

I winced as I moved my legs off the side of the bed. The twinge in my muscles wasn’t as mortifying as the blood and semen stain in the light of day. “I was worried about a red wedding.”

“So was I. This exceeded expectations. No blood was shed during the ceremony.”

“Just mine—after.”

Dario was now standing, wearing only his boxers, and I was nude. Yesterday, I would have thought it embarrassing to be naked in front of him. After last night, my lack of clothing seemed almost natural.

He came closer and tugged me against his solid form, including the bulge not hidden under his shorts. “Don’t let the old ladies bother you.”

Inhaling his scent, I looked up. “I don’t have a choice—in anything. It’s the way I live my life.”

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