Page 17 of Lorenzo's Claim

Gino let out a throaty laugh as Anastacia continued to pound my back. Someone so dainty sure could pack a punch. “Let’s just get her home.”

I carefully placed her on the backseat. Although, I should have bloody thrown her in there instead. Maybe I wasn’t feeling as heartless as I should have been.

“Are you joining me in the front, or are you keeping Anastacia company?” he asked, already rounding to the driver's side.

“I better watch her in the back. She seems to be good when it comes to escaping.” I scoffed as he smiled.

I slid in beside her, noticing she hadn’t yet secured herself.

“Put your belt on,” I ordered as I clicked mine into place. There was no movement as it was pretty damn clear she was doing her best to make my life hell.

“Anastacia, I said put your?—”

“I heard you! I’m not a damn child!” She reached over and clicked her belt into place before turning around to face me. “Thanks for ruining my night, by the way.”

“My pleasure.”

Gino began the drive home, nobody saying a word for a while. Jazz music filled the car, and I suddenly felt something drop onto my shoulder. Moving my head carefully, I noticed Anastacia had fallen asleep and unintentionally rested her head on me. I studied her for a moment. Her face serene as if she didn't have a care in the world. Her lips curled upwards into a gentle smile, and it made me wonder what she was dreaming about. There was no way it was me, otherwise she’d be scowling.

“If I didn’t know you, I’d say you look like a man admiring his wife,” Gino piped up from the driver’s seat.

“Good job. You know the truth then,” I whispered.

“I know I do, but it’s not too late to?—”

“Drop it, Gino. You know my reasons, as well as my feelings, behind everything. Never question me or my plans again.” I shut him down, or so I thought, but he felt the need to continue.

“I know that but I saw how you reacted with Rox, and yes, I’ve seen that side of you, but never because of a woman.” He caught my eye in the rearview mirror, and I could tell he was trying his best to see if he could change my mind or get me to admit some nonexistent feelings.

“That woman is my wife, and there is no way in hell I’d let Rox anywhere near her. I don’t like sharing what’s mine. It meant nothing.” I narrowed my eyes at him as he quickly dropped the subject. “Let’s just get her home, and then, I’ll deal with the fuckers that let her slip past them.”

We pulledup to the house, and she showed no signs of waking up whatsoever. I had no idea what to do since I had never been in this situation before. I was removing her seatbelt when the door flung open, revealing one of my men who clearly had too much to drink.

“Boss, who’s the woman?” He questioned, already pissing me off. I ignored his stupid remark as I scooped her into my arms with ease before carrying her up the steps to the front door. I could feel him following behind. “You don’t fancy sharing her then?”Cunt.

My guys had been briefed relentlessly for today. They knew I was getting married, and that she’d be here. Was he so drunk that he forgot something that important?

I tightened my grip on her, refusing to let her slip from my embrace as I reached behind to draw my gun from the back of my waistband. "I don't share my wife," I declared, my voice a low growl filled with unwavering determination. I levelled the weapon at his head, watching as his jaw went slack and his eyes widened in sheer disbelief.

“Shit, Boss, I forgot. I had one too many. I?—”

I interrupted him abruptly with a single bullet piercing the space between his eyes, and he crumpled to the floor in a lifeless heap. Everything around us was suddenly silent, except for the echoing ring of the gunshot. I glanced down at Anastacia, who lay undisturbed, her breathing steady and unbroken. The fact that she didn't stir, even as the sharp crack of the gunfire shattered the silence, left me baffled.

“Clean this shit up,” I ordered, as Gino had already pulled out his phone to call Red.

The second I entered the lobby, the men I trusted tonight were lined up looking sheepish.As they should.

“Boss,” Wes started.

“I don’t want to hear it. You all fucked up tonight, and once I put my wife to bed, I’ll be back to deal with each and every one of you,” I snapped, not wanting to waste my time on them any longer.

I ascended the stairs, making a beeline for Anastacia’s bedroom. I was in for a treat the second I reached the door, realising it was bloody locked.Why the hell did I install a lock on her door?!I could have kicked it in, but I didn’t fancy ruining my house just so she could sleep in her own bed.

I looked down at her body, knowing her dress had nowhere to hide a key, and we’d obviously left her bag in the car.

Could I have asked someone to grab it for me? Yes, I could have.

Was I going to? No, I wasn’t.

---