Page 58 of A Sinner's Truth

“Perfect. You can be my arm candy. I can’t wait to see their faces when I introduce you.”

“Whose faces?”

“Girls from school. Drew still keeps in touch with pretty much everyone. I only see them if I’m dragged along with him to an event. But they’re the typical mean girls. I’ve never had anything to rub in their faces before. Now, I have you.” I smile at the thought.

It’s petty. I know, but I can’t help but be proud to be Santo’s wife. Even if it’s only for a year, I decided that I’m going to make the most of the time we have left together. I’m going to embrace the wife thing. Fake or not, I’m going to be the best wife Santo will ever have.

The thought of him moving on after me doesn’t sit too well, but I’ll accept it. I don’t expect forever, and he certainly doesn’t want it either. At least not with me.

“Why do I feel objectified?” Santo smirks.

“Because that’s exactly what I’m doing.” I laugh.

“I like it. But just for the record, I couldn’t give a fuck what anyone else thinks and neither should you,” he says.

“I know, but it’s just… I guess I’ve never had much to be proud of before,” I tell him. It’s lame.

“You’re proud of being my wife?” Santo asks.

“Of course I am. Why wouldn’t I be?”

He presses his lips against mine. “Let’s show 'em all what they’re missing then.” He winks.

Walking into Unhinged with my hand firmly clasped in Santo’s is a different experience. I’ve been to the VIP section before, but when you’re the wife of Santo De Bellis, there’s a-whole-nother level of service I’ve never seen.

The security at the door greeted Santo by name, then politely nodded at me and referred to me as Mrs De Bellis. How they knew who I was, I have no idea.

Santo’s hand twitches around mine as we walk up the stairs, where the VIP section has been roped off for our party.

I hear him before I see him. “Aria Swan, you outdid yourself!”

I have to wrench my hand out of Santo’s when Drew hugs me. He then picks me up and spins me around, then puts my feet back on the ground.

“It’s Aria De Bellis. You like it?” I ask Drew as my eyes flick around the space.

“Like it? I love it. Thank you,” he says. “Come do a shot with me.” Drew walks off. Before I can follow him, an arm wraps around my waist and my back is pulled up against a hard chest.

“Don’t let him do that again,” Santo growls into my ear.

I spin around. “I get your jealousy knows no bounds, but he’s a friend. That’s it.” I have no intention of telling Drew he can’t hug me.

“I can’t help but want to murder every fucker who looks at you. Imagine what I want to do to the ones who touch you?” Santo raises a challenging brow.

“Well, it’s a good thing you have something calledself-control.” I tap his chest. “Come on, it’s a party. Let’s do a shotwith the birthday boy.” Taking Santo’s hand, I lead him over to where Drew is seated with a heap of his friends from school.

They all look up when we approach.

“Everyone, this is Santo, my husband. Santo, everyone.” I wave a hand, having absolutely no intention of personally introducing him to them all by name.

One of the girls stands from her seat, her eyes unashamedly checking out my husband as she holds out a palm in his direction. “I’m Sonya.”

Santo looks at her hand like it’s going to burn him. When he reaches out to shake it, it’s a quick exchange before he pulls back again. “Nice to meet you,” he says while wrapping an arm around my shoulder and tucking me into his side. His lips press against my temple, and I melt.

We sit down and Drew hands us each a shot. “Happy birthday!” I yell and clink my glass against his.

Five shots and three vodka and cranberries later, I’m starting to regret bringing Santo here. Every girl in my supposed friend group is ogling him. They’re not even pretending to be discreet about it. I’m starting to feel very territorial, to the point that I want to rip their hair out of their heads and tell them to back the fuck off.

Santo seems oblivious to the attention. His hands haven’t left my body. He’s constantly touching me, kissing my head. His eyes don’t linger from me for long. I see him looking around the room now and then but then he’s straight back to watching me.

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