Page 262 of Kissing the Villain

I rolled my eyes. “Does it matter, Luca? Either way, your side of the aisle will have more people. Kali is my only bridesmaid, and you know how I feel about my family.”

“The Belles will take part in the wedding,” he said in a firm tone.

“Aiden is with me. Non-negotiable.”

“Fine. Whatever you want. We have more important things to worry about.” He pressed his lips together. “Marcello,” Luca said in an authoritative tone. “You will be my best man.”

I burst into a fit of laughter.

Luca glanced down at me. “What now?”

“You can’t order everyone to be at our wedding. It’s customary to ask. Nicely, I might add.”

Kali chuckled softly and shook her head when our eyes met. She knew Luca was acting like an ass. He was so used to ordering people around that it hadn’t even occurred to him to ask his brothers to be at our bridal party.

“Men don’t ask,” Luca shot back. “We tell. Marcello, you’re my best man. Bastian and Damian, you two are my groomsmen. Aiden, I guess you’re Alex’s whatever the fuck she wants you to be. And Kali, you’re tasked with getting the younger Belles to join us.”

Kali leaned her elbows on the table and looked at Luca. “Sonny’s sister, I’m assuming?”

“Yes. Drake’s sister, too. Make the introductions.”

“Luca,” I groaned. “Stop being so bossy.”

He dipped his head down until our lips almost touched. “I am the boss. In the bedroom and this fucking town. Get used to it, wife.” He lowered his voice and whispered in my ear. “Keep talking back, and I’ll take you upstairs and spank your ass.”

“Jesus, Salvatore,” Aiden complained. “Can you at least wait until I’m not around? She’s my sister.”

His nostrils flared as he looked at my brother. “Don’t tell me how to talk to my wife.”

“Okay, you two,” I interjected. “I hate when you fight. Can you please get along?”

Kali tapped her nail against her glass. “I think a toast is in order.” She raised her glass in the air. “To the happy couple!”

“Cent’anni,” Luca said, a traditional Italian salute, as we tapped glasses.

96

LUCA

Alex paintedon the floor in my mother’s studio. She lay on her stomach with her butt in the air, the paintbrush gliding across the canvas. I loved watching her work. Apart from being inside her, there was nothing better in this world. She looked so free and in her element. My mother had the same look when she painted, as if nothing mattered while creating another masterpiece.

“Stop staring at me,” Alex said with a sexy smile.

“It’s what I do best.”

She pointed at the plush armchair beside her. “Sit or leave. Make your choice.”

I laughed at her feistiness. No one but Alex could ever tell me what to do and get away with it.

“We both know who is in charge of this relationship. But I hear marriages take compromise to work.”

“They do.” She sat up with her palms on her thighs. “So you better learn how to share the power in this relationship.”

I smirked. “Okay, baby. Whatever you want.”

“You’ve been saying that a lot lately.”

“I’m just happy to have you back.”

---