Saint closed his eyes, and I glanced over his shoulder to find Anete Morone, all dressed up in a gold satin gown that hugged her curves perfectly. I couldn’t help but think the gala’s golden theme had been picked to compliment her dress.
Saint turned. “Anete,” he greeted with a firm undertone, yet friendly ring.
Without looking my way, she leaned in for an air kiss, but I then made sure she noticed me by stepping in and stopping her descent on my husband by holding out my arm for a very untraditional and not so feminine handshake. “Hello, Anete.”
She glared my way and ignored my hand. “Oh. Nina, is it?”
“Mila,” I corrected with a smug grin. “Mila Russo. Saint’s wife.”
“Of course.” She righted herself. “How could I forget?”
“Yes, how could you?”
“Anete,” Saint chimed in, “if you’ll excuse us. I would like to go and introduce Mila to the Valenti family.”
He gently tugged me in the other direction just when I started to get my wits about me, ready to make sure she knew Saint was my husband and not hers.
Saint pulled me close as we walked through the crowd. “Need I remind you what happened the last time you had a pissing contest with Anete?”
“Yeah, well, remember my fire you referred to earlier? That woman has the natural talent to pour gasoline over it.”
An amused grin spread across his face, and I rolled my eyes.
“I’m about to introduce you to one of my business associates.”
Instantly, my curiosity was piqued.
“I think you’ll get along well with his wife. She adores her husband.”
“If she adores her own husband and not mine, I’m going to love her.”
A tall man, about the same height as Saint with dark hair and chocolate eyes, approached us. “Saint.”
For the first time, Saint let go of my hand to greet the man. “Antonio Valenti. It’s good to see you here.” He turned to the petite dark-haired woman on Antonio’s arm. “Alessia Valenti, looking as stunning as ever.”
Instead of going in for an air kiss, she nodded and smiled politely without once taking her hand from her husband’s arm. “Thank you, Saint.”
I immediately liked her.
“This is my wife, Milana.”
She smiled warmly in my direction. “It’s so nice to meet you, Milana.”
“You too, and please…call me Mila.”
I showed her the same courtesy she showed me by merely smiling and nodding at her husband.
Antonio turned to Saint. “Could I have a word?”
Saint glanced down at me, not wanting to leave my side.
I gave him a subtle nudge. “Go on. I’ll be fine.”
“You sure?” he whispered as he leaned closer.
I smiled. “Yes. I’ll stay right here. Promise.”
“I won’t be long.” He kissed my cheek before straightening. “Ladies, excuse us forun momento.”