Page 42 of Beautiful Devil

“How’s your wife doing? Is she holding up okay?”

Before he can finish that sentence, I’m on him. My fist connects with the right side of his face and even though he’s taller than me, I have the element of surprise on my side. I punch him again, this time making contact with his nose, and I’m pretty sure from the crack I just heard, it's now broken. I get two more quick punches in, one to his left ribs and his stomach before he lands one on my right cheek.

Fuck, that hurt.

He shoves me off him and holds up his palm in a stopping motion while his other hand is cupping his nose that’s now oozing blood. Yeah, definitely broken.

In a muffled voice, he asks, “Fuck, Fab. What the fuck was that for?”

“Don’t talk about my wife,stronzo,” I answer him between ragged breaths.

A look of shock crosses Marco’s face. I’ve known him my whole life, and he is not a man who shows emotion of any kind, so I’m a little taken aback by the surprise registering on his face. Hell, if I’m being honest, I’m stunned, too. I don’t know why him asking about Gia set me off, but it did. And fuck if I’m about to tell him that.

“Is this because I asked how she was doing? Fuck, man. I didn’t mean anything by it. I honestly just wanted to make sure she was okay. She was white as a ghost during the ceremony, and you should have seen her when I walked in the bridal room. She—”

I don’t let him finish his sentence and before I know what’s happening, I’m on my feet. Reaching for Marco, I grab the collar of shirt and throw him against the wall beside me. I can hear the blood rushing in my ears. I’ve built up too much anger and frustration. How did I get myself into this situation, with her of all people?

“For fuck’s sake, Fab, stop. What the fuck?”

I don’t answer him. I just stand there, panting hard, as I take in his appearance. Blood smeared all over his face, bruises forming around his eyes, along with what’s sure to be a broken nose. His white dress shirt is ripped and covered in blood as well. Without saying a word, I let go of him and walk into my bathroom, grab a white hand towel and give it to him. The damage is already done, but this is my peace offering and way of saying sorry. He gives a slight head nod when he takes it, which tells me all is forgiven.

Grabbing the bottle of Macallan, I refill our glasses and make my way over to my desk. Sitting down, I recline in my chair as a sharp pain radiates through my back.

Fuck!

Marco flinches as well as he takes a seat in the chair across from me, throwing the now-blood-soaked hand towel in the garbage as he rests his glass on his knee. Staring at me intently as he tries to pick his next words carefully.

I’m on a short fuse tonight so I bark at him, “Out with it already.”

“Are you going to attack me again?”

“Depends if you piss me off again.”

He’s silent for another minute, probably deciding if what he wants to say is worth it or not.

“What’s going on?” he asks finally.

“What do you mean?”

“With you. Why are you here, beating me up on yourwedding night,instead of beating something else?”

I have to give him credit. He inadvertently asked about Gia without mentioning her name. Probably too afraid I'll lose my shit again. Wiping a hand down my face, I take a deep breath before answering him.

“The fuck if I know. I was wound up and on edge. Needed to let off some steam. And despite my many faults, I was raised to show respect and would never force myself on a woman, especially Gia.”

“Okay, so why don’t you go to Secrets then and blow a load in one of those whores? That’s got to be a hell of a lot more fun than beating the shit out of me.”

I lean forward in my chair, making sure to hold eye contact. “Let me make something perfectly clear. I’m a married man now. And though we may not have entered this marriage on the purest of intentions, I intend to uphold my vows that I made to my wife today, one of which is to be faithful to her—meaning no cheating. This is the last time I want to hear about this, got it?”

“Yes, boss.”

Done with this conversation and this day, I just want to be left alone.

“Unless you came in here to tell me anything useful, get the fuck out.”

I take that as a no because he downs his whiskey, rises from his seat and walks out of my office, leaving me alone in the quiet. Ignoring the pain in my back, I lean back in my chair and close my eyes. It’s been a long day and I’m exhausted. All I really want to do is explore Gia’s body and get lost inside her, but that can’t happen. God, just thinking about her and I’m already hard. Getting up from my desk, I reach for the bottle of Macallan – forgoing a glass this time – and drink straight from the bottle.

Still turned on, I decide my best plan of action is to rub one out in the shower.

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