Page 96 of Mafia King: Matteo
“I guess we should be going?”
“If it’s not, we’re leaving anyway. Otherwise, I’d be tempted to cart your firm ass to the bed and tie you up for hours,” his voice deep with desire.
“We’ll make up for it later,” I reply as I take his arm, and Federico helps me into my coat before opening the front door. Gio opens the limo door for me and goes to the passenger side. I assume he’ll escort us into the affair.
The ride in the darkness is appropriate for a masquerade ball. The snow is picking up, and ominous shadows dance on the streets of Long Island as we make our way into the city.
I texted Izzy, telling her I had to update her on my wedding and inquire if they were on time.
My phone beeps.
“Izzy and Dmitry are on time and will meet us inside the doors on the right side of the museum.”
“Great. I’m looking forward to meeting them.”
“Did you ever think what would happen had Alexsei been offended by our engagement?”
“I try not to dwell on it. How did you like the wedding planner?”
“Francis is nice. I have no clue what the DJ will sound like. I chose to eat inside instead of on the beach. I can’t imagine having sand in every crevice of my body should the wind blow in the afternoon. We’d be eating sand, which would ruin the surf and turf dinner.”
Matteo chuckles as he pulls my hand into his.
“You’re so thoughtful. See, I could never plan an event. I never thought about that.”
“I’ve had to think of many things since I met you. My brain was in meltdown mode after work. But today, making one hundred decisions with so many options exhausted me.”
“I’m glad you slept. You are ready for a long night.”
“Yes. I hope it all goes well. I’ve never been to an affair like this. Izzy went to the MET, so she popped her cherry.”
Matteo burst out with a hearty laugh.
“Really?” He recovers from his outburst and says, “The Volkovs do get around. I’m happy we have an alliance with them. I’m considering asking Dmitry to look at the tech company I picked up last year.”
“He’s the one to ask.”
We are in line for drop-off at the event, and limos stretch as far as I can see ahead and behind us.
“I think the timing will be perfect when we reach the door.”
“You’re perfect,” he says as he kisses my lips.
It took twenty minutes to reach the door. Matteo helped me out of the limo. Gio escorted us as the driver circled to pick him up later.
We walk through a metal detector, drop our coats in the coat room, and put our top hats back on our heads. I turn and see Izzy. I wave to her as we walk through the crowd.
“You look incredible,” I say as I hug her. Her belly is round and radiant in a yellow dress with a sweetheart neckline. The paisley red print overlays the dark material underneath. She holds a black and gold mask over her eyes, attached to a gold stick.
“Forget about me. Let me see that canary diamond,” Izzy demands as she takes my hand and eyeballs my ring.
“My God, that’s huge! I love it.”
“Thank you,” I said demurely. “It’s heavy, too,” I joked. Then I turned to her husband. “Dmitry,” I hugged him. “This is my fiancé, Matteo.”
The men shake hands, and for a minute, I’m afraid Dmitry will be in enforcer mode. He’s quiet. He’s a reserved man.
I hope this won’t be a war of two alphas all night. They can act like two angry dogs; both are out for blood.
