Page 48 of The Bratva's Arranged Bride

Before I got up, Tia had been prying a bit, and I didn’t know if that was because of genuine interest or a deeper curiosity that bordered on risky for both of us.

I wanted to be completely honest with her about the truth of my work and her father’s deeper involvement with the club, but it seemed she wasn’t at all versed in the way my world worked. If I were to unload everything on her, it would likely freak her out.

I had the feeling it would be detrimental to us both, and I didn’t want that.

I wanted her to see me for the real man underneath…not the blood, violence, and illegal undercurrent of it all.

Letting out a breath, I rounded a corner with my sights set on the private section, only to pause.

I caught the sound of Tia’s voice, veiled by a touch of reluctance and what I could only assume was fear.

Glancing down the hall, I found her standing there. But she wasn’t alone.

My brows furrowed immediately at the sight of a man with her, with his hand on her wrist, slowly moving up her arm.

A feeling of betrayal threatened to overcome me immediately, but the wave of it froze in its tracks the moment I picked up on how rigid her frame looked. How she looked thoroughly uncomfortable.

Then, that betrayal shifted into anger.

It flooded my system when I realized who it was.

Tommaso Gallo.

I vaguely knew of the idiot, given that he belonged to a fairly wealthy family of his own. His dad had made a name for himself through a real estate scheme, allowing the rest of his family to coast among the other elite in the city.

As far as I knew, Tommaso was an arrogant socialite with nothing better to do than frequent the usual crowds. He always had this air about him, like he was always searching for something to occupy his time. Like enough was never enough.

From what I could tell, my wife was in his sights, and I wasn’t about to let that slide.

“You should lighten up, you know,” Tommaso said with a slick smile, not once pulling his eyes away from her. “This is a club…you should have fun.”

My stomach twisted at the way he stood there, claiming her attention while mindlessly touching her as if it were his right.

I hated it. Loathed it.

A rage-inducing cloud of wrath surrounded me, making me clench my fists instinctively.

That possessiveness felt foreign to me, but it wasn’t about to let up anytime soon. Not while I watched him act far too friendly with Tia.

“Look, I’m just trying to get back…” Tia said, sounding in need of a break from his persistence, letting me know she likely had to bear more of him than she wanted to.

“What, can’t spend a little time with me?”

More discomfort spread through her features, and I’d had enough.

I didn’t care who he was—I wasn’t about to allow him or anyone else to assume they could swoop in and take what was mine, not after everything.

Stalking towards them, I clenched my jaw and tried to temper my anger as best as I could, despite wanting nothing more than to throttle him then and there.

“Tommaso,” I said sharply, eyes set on him with an unrelenting force. “I see you’ve met my wife.”

At my entrance, recognition moved through his eyes, and he took the slightest step back, letting go of her arm.

“Val…I was wondering when you were going to show up.”

Despite the attempt at civility, his tone was far too forced. He was a terrible liar.

My fingers twitched at my side, and I glanced at Tia to see the subtle hint of relief in her features.

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