Page 7 of His Violent Vow

She shivered. Kat stared at his offered hand. Gritting her teeth, she accepted it. They posed for the necessary wedding photos. Kat smiled the entire time. Even when they moved to the reception, she spoke cordially to their guests, never missing a beat.

Aldo Marino might have his share of faults but he certainly did a great job rearing his daughter into the life. It was as if Kat was born for this role.

“Are you enjoying yourself, wife?” Angelo asked when they were finally seated.

He rented out an entire five-star hotel and its spacious grounds just for the wedding party.

“Bite me,” she said under her breath while smiling at a couple who greeted them well wishes. Angelo always liked a woman who knew how to multitask.

“Later, I would love to do just that,” Angelo agreed. He spoke in a low voice.“As I recall, you liked it when I used my teeth. Do my bite marks still grace your pert nipples?”

Kat’s fists flew but he caught them easily, then kissed her again. She initially resisted but like before, she eventually surrendered. She bit his lower lip, drawing blood. Angelo laughed, pulling away as Aldo Marino approached their table. Angelo expected the Don to greet them earlier.

“It’s good to see the two of you getting along,” Aldo said.

Angelo pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his bloody lip.“Yes, your daughter has charmed me from the first moment we met, Aldo,” he answered.

Kat grabbed her wineglass and took a long sip. She appeared flustered.

“That’s wonderful to hear. I was initially afraid there would be no wedding at all today. Angelo, may I speak to you in private?” Aldo asked.“It won’t take long.”

The bastard didn’t waste any time, did he? Angelo noticed he didn’t even spare his daughter a second glance. Kat looked a little dejected and for some reason, that pissed him off. The fact Aldo didn’t acknowledge her told Angelo volumes about their relationship, that Aldo only saw his daughter as a bargaining chip, not a real person. That must suck, Angelo thought.

Family was supposed to take your side, not abandon you when a better deal came along. Angelo didn’t have the best relationship with his birth father. He’d be dead in the gutter if the previous Vitale Don hadn’t taken him in and taught him the meaning of loyalty. Even if Angelo wasn’t related to any member of the Vitale Familia through blood, they were his real family.

“It’s my wedding, Aldo. No business discussion,” Angelo said firmly.

Aldo slumped his shoulders and sighed.“Very well. We’ll speak another time.”

“Wow,” Kat said softly after her father had left.“I’ve always pictured him as some kind of king, ordering everyone around and manipulating them on his chess board. It’s oddly satisfying seeing him humbled.”

“You have an unexpected vengeful streak in your body, Wife,”Angelo commented.

“Does knowing that disappoint you, Husband?” she asked.

He noticed she’d taken to calling him Husband when he started referring to her as his wife. Yes, this union would be more entertaining than he thought.

“No, it’s the exact opposite. It delights me. We might be more well-suited to each other than I thought,” Angelo said.

“Trust is the foundation of every relationship, yet after last night, you left me with little confidence,” Kat answered snidely.

“You’ll get over it eventually,” Angelo said, reaching for her hand and giving it a squeeze.

“I doubt it,” Kat murmured softly.“Don’t worry, Husband. I might not like you, but I’ll play my role when we’re in public.”

Well, then. Kat made her stance clear. Her promise should have been enough. Really, Angelo couldn’t ask more of her, except he wanted to get rid of Kat’s animosity toward him eventually, because in her, Angelo suspected he might find an equal.

Chapter Four

The rest of the evening passed by in a blur. The cutting of the cake, the bouquet toss, the first dance with her husband, then her father.

Kat grew nervous as the evening drew to a close. Some of the guests took their leave, but others partied on. The guests on her husband’s good side had rooms reserved in the hotel. Angelo unexpectedly reached for his hand across the table and gave it a squeeze.

“Is there something wrong?” he asked.

“Just a little nervous about tonight,” Kat admitted. Then she froze. They weren’t friends. Clearly, her new husband was the worst, so why did she share her fears with him?

“Why? There’s no reason to be afraid,” Angelo said. He released her hand when she pulled away. He frowned, as if he truly couldn’t comprehend why she was acting antagonistic toward him.

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