Page 31 of His Wife

He brushes my hair over my shoulder, leaving a trail of kisses across my naked neck before his lips touch my ear. “I know.”

ChapterThirteen

ALEXIUS

“Gentlemen.” I walk into the private lounge. Gian and Saint together with their wives are already there, lounging on the leather couches. “It’s good to see you all.”

“Alexius.” Saint stands and buttons his suit jacket, holding out his hand. I take it for a good handshake before turning to Gian, greeting him in the same manner. Both these men have been friends of the Dark Sovereign for a long time, and they are about the only people, apart from my brothers, I trust in this world.

“Let me introduce to you my wife, Leandra.” I touch the small of her back, the lace of her silver column sheath dress soft against my fingertips. “Leandra, meet Marcello Saint Russo and his wife, Milana.”

“It’s so nice to meet you,” Mila says with a warm smile, her striking red dress about as bold as her husband’s presence.

I turn to the others. “And this is Gian Silvestro and his wife, Daniela.”

“Nice to meet you,” Leandra greets, her voice reflecting the confidence she carries in her shoulders.

Daniela smiles when she notices Leandra’s confused expression. “It’s called partial heterochromia iridis,” she says. “It’s when one half of an eye is a different color. In my case, half hazel, half green—same green as my other eye.”

“I’m sorry.” Leandra’s cheeks flush with embarrassment. “I didn’t mean to—”

“It’s okay,” Daniela assures her. “It makes most people look twice. But you, Mrs. Del Rossa,” she teases with a smirk, “we’ve all patiently been waiting to meet the woman who tamed the firstborn Del Rossa.” She tucks a red curl behind her ear.

“It’s good to finally get together,” Gian chimes in. “It’s been too long.”

“Too long indeed,” I agree.

“I’m surprised Nicoli hasn’t joined you.” Saint steps in next to me, his pin-striped tie as perfect as his black, pressed suit.

“Nicoli has some family business to take care of in my absence.” Meaning he has a killer to catch. It was against my own better judgment that I took this trip while we had a church fucker popping eyeballs, cutting off ears, and shoving crosses between the legs of the girls who work for us. But there was no getting out of this trip to meet up with the Russo and Silvestro families as head of the Dark Sovereign.

“We’re so sorry for your loss,” Milana says. “I wish we were able to attend your father’s funeral.”

“Thank you,” I reply.

“I had the utmost respect for your father, Alexius.” Saint swallows the last sip of his bourbon. “I came really close to breaking our rule of not being seen together.”

Gian hands his wife a glass of champagne. “Sometimes, I wonder if it’s not time to let that one rule go. Things have changed. Maybe we should reconsider. We are, after all, the second generation of this friendship between our families. Times have changed.”

I shake my head. “I might not have agreed with my father on everything,” I give Leandra a sideways glance, “but I agree that the decision to keep our circle a secret is in our best interest. Unfortunately, some might mistake this for an alliance, and the strength of this so-called alliance will be felt all around the world, right to their bones, and it will put us all at risk of being seen as a threat.”

“As much as I’d like not to, I agree.” Saint takes a seat on the leather couch, Milana sitting down next to him. “The last thing we all need is a bunch of fuckers coming at us. Besides, not having the world know about our business ventures makes everything run smoother.”

“Well, I know the three of you have a lot to discuss,” Milana says. “But let’s have dinner first, and then we’ll give you three some privacy.”

I nod and take Leandra’s hand, leaning closer, taking a moment to appreciate the delicate scent of her perfume. “Have I told you that you look absolutely stunning tonight?”

Her cheeks turn the prettiest pink. “You mentioned something along those lines before you decided to bunch the skirt of this dress around my waist. It’s still creased.”

“Hmm-mmm,” I hum, thinking about how I took her bent over the couch, muffling her cries with a beige scatter cushion. “You wanted me to fuck you.”

“Says who?”

“Says the pair of panties you didn’t wear underneath that dress.” I still and turn to face her. “Be glad I told you to put on a pair before we came here, or I’d be in that restroom over there,” I nod in the direction, “fucking you against the goddamn vanity.”

She sucks her cherry-red bottom lip into her mouth, the sight making my cock twitch. “Now I kind of wished I didn’t listen to you.”

“Jesus, woman.” I lean closer. “My cum is still coating your cunt, and yet you feel the need to play with me right now.”

---