Page 59 of Devious Kingpin
It was clear by the way the manager rushed to us that Dante was known. He greeted us personally, shaking Dante’s hand and then bowed his head slightly to me.
“The married couple,” he said, taking my extended hand and kissing the back of it. The gesture was so old-fashioned that for a moment I stared at him, floored. “Your wife is stunning, Mr. DiLustro.”
“She is,” Dante drawled, his dark shimmering eyes locking on me.
As we were led to the table, the looks turned to gawking. I glanced down a few times to ensure I didn’t have a hole in my pants or an open zipper.
Dante took my hand into his, pulling me closer. “Are you okay?”
My cheeks felt hot. It only ever happened around this man. I didn’t know whether it was his hand or his concern. I met his eyes, letting them pull me in. It was the oddest thing. My mind wanted me to fight him, but my body was the exact opposite. It encouraged me to let myself go. The conflict was driving me nuts.
“Why is everyone staring?” I asked as we were seated down.
It was the manager who answered. “Mr. DiLustro keeps peace in our city,” he announced. “Naturally, his wife would attract interest.”
Dante shrugged. “We all do our part,” he said, discounting it. “They’re just being nosy.”
The manager chuckled. “Mr. DiLustro refuses to take credit, but before he took over, we had Russians attacking us. Corsican mafia. The Irish. Our city was a battlefield.”
I stiffened at the callout of the Irish. My eyes flashed with annoyance. “Well, if something happens to me, you can count on the Irish to come back,” I snapped slightly annoyed.
The manager’s eyes flashed with surprise and his gaze darted to Dante with uncertainty. My husband lowered the menu, a hard look on his face and I straightened my shoulders, ready for battle.
But as always, Dante managed to surprise me.
“My wife has the Irish backing and I would support them if anything were to happen to her.” The waiter brought us a bottle of sparkling water, but Dante didn’t bother stopping. It would seem he wanted everyone to know whose wrath they’d earn if anything happened to me. “Anyone touches my wife, they can be certain that the Irish will be the least of their concerns.”
The manager cleared his throat, then excused himself. The waiter was right behind him. And all the while I stared at my husband dumbfounded.
Why did it feel like there was more to Dante than met the eye?
CHAPTER27
Dante
Astrange sensation coasted through my chest.
Pride.
It was clear by Juliette’s expression that she was surprised by my words and reaction. She had never tried to be meek. Unless she attempted to distract you, but that was beside the point. It was what I loved about her. Her strength. After learning what happened to her, I admired her even more.
I wanted her to know that I’d always be behind her if someone wronged her. And I’d damn well be in front of her if someone tried to hurt her. I’d shred them to pieces.
Her blue eyes that reminded me of the Ionian Sea stared back at me. When Priest and I were kids, our father took us on a vacation. It was one of the best ones since Mother didn’t tag along. The fact that it was Greece made it even better. We stayed at a little cottage overlooking the sea, and it was the bluest water I’d ever seen.
Staring at my wife now, she reminded me of that time. The happiness with my father and younger brother. The warmth against our skin. The sounds of the waves against the shoreline. Neither my brother nor I ever wanted to leave.
With the manager and waiter cleared, I picked up the menu. “So what are you in the mood for?”
Juliette got herself together, glancing down to her own menu. “Considering it’s a pizzeria, maybe a pizza?”
I nodded. “Good choice.”
As if watching us, the waiter showed up and we placed our order, then he made himself scarce again.
“You mean that?” Juliette questioned, her eyes studying me for any signs that I’d be lying.
“Mean what? That I’ll rip anyone to shreds if they hurt you?” She held her breath, keeping her eyes on me. “I do.”
