Page 41 of A Touch of Fate

“That doesn’t constitute for much in our world,” he drawled. “If he hurt—”

Danilo shot to his feet before Samuel even spoke up. He stood in the doorway. Unlike my brother, I hadn’t heard him approach.

Samuel’s eyes locked on my brother as he strode into the living room in long, confident strides. “I ask you not to shove your nose into my private business.” Samuel stopped in front of my brother. They were the same height. The air bristled with their dominance as they tried to stare each other down. It was clear they had a long history of these stare downs. Samuel smiled in a way that made me nervous. “But I can assure you I took all the necessary precautions to hurt your sister as little as possible on her first night.”

Boom. My mouth fell open, and blood shot so rapidly into my face, I was sure I would combust. Did he really just say that in front of my brother?

Danilo rocked forward as if he was going to attack Samuel, who braced himself. Then both men looked at me, and my brother straightened, righted his tie, and turned to me. He kissed my forehead and strode out without another word.

Samuel regarded me coolly. He pushed his hands into his pants. “I know this was quite embarrassing for you. But your brother has dropped very similar comments about both my sisters in the past, so it was time he got a taste of his own medicine.”

I gave him a doubtful look. “Do you always share details like that with other men?” I felt very uncomfortable thinking that other men would know about what happened behind closed doors.

Samuel stepped up to me and touched my shoulder. “No. I don’t intend to share any kind of information about our life, especially what happens in our bedroom with others.”

“Okay.” I could feel my face cooling off. “I would like to return to Sofia and your mother.”

Samuel nodded. “I should probably make sure Danilo doesn’t say anything to my father that causes an unpleasant atmosphere.”

I scoffed. “Good luck.”

Once our families took their leave, Samuel joined me on the porch in front of the fireplace. The lights from the other houses reflected on the surface of the lake like doors to another sphere.

Samuel had a tumbler with a generous amount of a dark amber spirit in his hand. I could still feel the gentle buzz from the wine and that one sip of the espresso martini, but Samuel obviously could tolerate far more alcohol. He had drunk four glasses of wine for dinner, plus whatever Danilo, Pietro, and he had consumed in the office, which likely hadn’t been little, and now the tumbler. I had to admit I worried how well his body tolerated the amount of alcohol. It indicated that it had a lot of practice.

“Danilo said he and Sofia will return to Indianapolis tomorrow.”

I nodded. “Danilo told me.” I’d hoped he’d spend a few more days here with me to make the transition easier. Giorgia had already returned to Indianapolis early in the morning becauseher brother needed to get back. And now my brother, the last link to my old life, will follow tomorrow.

Samuel regarded me with a thoughtful expression over his glass. “Will you be okay?”

“Yes,” I said firmly. I would be. “I just need to adjust to my new life.”

“Whatever you need, tell me. I’ll have a bodyguard in the house whenever I’m not present. I’ll introduce you tomorrow morning before I leave for work.”

So soon?I didn’t voice my thoughts. Maybe I shouldn’t have been surprised. This wasn’t a dramatic love story where the protagonists couldn’t bear the idea of being separated.

“I hope he won’t hover. I don’t like to be watched,” I said.

“He’s very good at what he does. He’ll spend most of the time in the staff room beside the kitchen unless you require his assistance.”

Samuel glanced at his watch, an elegant, dark blue Patek Philippe Aquanaut. “I should probably head to bed. I have an early meeting at eight because of a shipment of slot machines.”

I stifled a yawn. It was already eleven, and I was usually an early riser, which meant I went to bed around ten at the latest. “I’ll come with you.”

Samuel downed his drink and pushed to his feet. He motioned for me to go first so I moved toward the doors, which he then held open for me. “Thank you.”

Samuel was being very considerate and polite, and that was nice in a way, but at the same time, it emphasized that we were still strangers. This didn’t feel like a married couple going to bed together. None of the lightheartedness, banter, and intimacy a normal marriage entailed.

When we arrived in the bedroom, my eyes involuntarily moved to the bed and what had happened last night. I’d felt empowered and womanly. It had been a far better first time thanI’d ever dared hope for, and now I wished for more. Samuel cleared his throat, his gaze intent as it settled on me. “Go ahead. Get ready first.”

I moved into the bathroom and changed into another off-white silk nightgown with lace trimming, then returned to the bedroom. Samuel checked his phone in the middle of the room, his brows furrowed. His shirt was unbuttoned, revealing his muscled upper body and the line of dark blond hair disappearing in his pants. His belt hung loosely around his waist, and the top button of his pants was open. I wished I were brave enough to go to him and unzip his pants. Brave enough to show Samuel what I wanted.

Samuel didn’t notice my entrance immediately. He was immersed in his phone, but eventually, he looked up and pushed his phone in his pants. He gave me a distracted smile and brushed past me into the bathroom.

I wheeled toward the bed and frowned when I spotted his phone on the nightstand. He had two phones?

Worry and suspicion filled me. I wanted to come up with an innocent explanation. Many people had a business phone and one for their private life, but Samuel was a Made Man and future Underboss, so business was closely interwoven with his private life. There was no clear line separating the two.

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