Page 44 of Unruly Defender
“What the hell happened?”Clemente snaps and he’s standing in front of me before I can so much as blink.“Are you okay?”
“She’s fine, a little shaken-up maybe, but she’s strong,” Henley says as his arm sneaks around my waist from behind and places a kiss on the top of my head.
His freshly showered scent along with his aftershave—sandalwood and cinnamon, along with a hint of citrus—wrap around me, making me lean into his touch.I wish all of this was behind us so we could finally do some normal things like go out to dinner or a movie.
Clemente watches me with hawk eyes before they slide back to Henley.“Did you want to bring her along?”
“Everything is set?Handled?The part where you needed to contact your uncle about too?”Henley questions.
Clemente winces and it’s actually the first time I’ve seen him do this.I reach out and this time I’m the one who’s asking, “Are you okay?”
“Other than the fact I’m suddenly engaged to be married, yes, all dandy.”Clemente rubs a hand over his mouth before he drops it and his face is back to its familiar all business look.“A business deal, nothing I can’t handle.”
I feel my eyes widen.Did he just say?He can’t be serious.“Are you telling me you struck a deal and your end was to marry some girl you don’t even know?What the hell, Clemente?You can’t be serious.Your own father didn’t pressure you into this part of the family traditions.You know what happened to our father and my mother.”
Clemente shrugs.“This is different.I don’t do love and it was necessary.Besides, my uncle values the tradition and so do all others of the familia.I’m the head of this familia now Gracy, I can’t ignore my responsibilities.Besides, from what I’ve heard she’s supposed to be the beauty of Italy, she’s going to look pretty on my arm.”
“She’s going to look...are you insane?”I screech and jab a finger against his chest.“Do I need to rip your brains out through your nose to check your sanity?”
His left eyebrow raises and his attention goes to Yates.“Thirst for blood and brains, eh?”
Yates grins.“She’s an Unruly Defenders’ old lady, you can’t blame her for standing up for your future wife.”
“You can pick her up from the airport in two weeks when she arrives.I was going to send the limo but maybe it’s better if you—”
I cut him right off and huff, “You didn’t just say that.”I close my eyes for a brief moment and take a gulp of air to calm down.“Please don’t tell me you’re that guy.You know, the one who’s a gloating, self-absorbed dick who is so damn impersonal that he sends a freaking limo to pick up his future wife to let her arrive all by herself to marry your insane, self-absorbed ass.Oh.My.God.Are we seriously related?Because if we are, we are going to have to spend a lot of time together so I can give you some proper advice on how to unjerk yourself, mister.”
Laughter rings out around me and I have to shoot a glare around the clubhouse because this shit isn’t funny.An arranged marriage?I can’t begin to imagine what this woman might be thinking or what she’s in for.
Clemente has always been sweet, kind, and caring to me but I’ve also seen the coldness his eyes can hold.And let’s not forget the fact he’s the head of the familia.Talk about a lot of responsibility, stress, and a status to uphold.
“I agree to have you around me a lot more, Gracy,” Clemente says, affection wrapping around each word.“It’s why I suggested you pick her up at the airport but clearly I’m going with you.But I want her to feel welcome and I hope having you with me will put her at ease in some way.”
“Nice save,” I mutter and gulp down the rest of my rosé.“And what was that about bringing me along?To do what exactly?”
“Front row seat of Rush getting arrested for murder, among other things,” Clemente casually throws out.
“Murder?He’s finally going to get arrested for killing Henley’s father and his own?You guys leaked the evidence that implies he’s behind all of it and how those men’s death wasn’t an accident at all?”Excitement fills my veins.Finally, there’s light at the end of the tunnel to put an end to all of this.
Clemente is about to say something but Henley’s voice thunders from behind me, “Maybe it’s best she stays here, and we need to be going, right?”
Clemente tilts his head slightly and I can see a nerve twitch underneath his left eye as he stares at Henley.What’s that about?
“We’re going, but she’s coming with us,” Clemente states.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Henley starts.
“It’s not up to you, it’s my decision.She’s my sister and I’m telling you she’s coming with us.”
Okay, then.I guess I’m about to find out what’s going to happen next.
