Page 15 of The Leader

“Obviously I won’t fight it,” she continued. “After all, it’s only for two years. I can live with that.”

Still, no hint as to what he thought. His hand around her waist was drawing circles, keeping her on her toes for some reason. Okay, so the reason wasn’t that inexplicable. She was drawn to him like to no other man before. Still, that wasn’t enough for a basis for a marriage. She had no idea what he was thinking, feeling. No idea at all. And that made her uncomfortable. She worked with numbers, algorithms, stuff that by its definition was computer-based, without any emotion to it, but still logical. Sadly, Giovanni Detta wasn’t a piece of software she could tweak when needed, or upgrade once a month.

From the corner of her eye, she spotted Gina’s sour expression. Her red dress made her cousin stand out in any crowd, but especially a small one of perhaps fifty guests. There was an accusation in her eyes, as if Jazzy had stolen her place in Gio’s arms. Jazzy felt no sense of guilt. She hadn’t wanted to be here, but now that she was, she liked it. Of course, that could change come tomorrow; but right now, defying all logic, considering how things had went down, it felt right.

Standing next to Gina was Mary. Her smile lit up the room as she was speaking in an animated matter to Gina, who was barely listening. It always amazed her how someone like Mary, who had seen the worst parts of human nature, could still be a positive source of light. It amazed and humbled her at the same time. Unlike Jazzy, Mary didn’t seem to hold any rage or hate toward the man that had nearly raped her as a child. There was this peace inside her, a willingness to forgiveness, a determination to see the good in anyone. On all accounts, she would have made a much better bride to a man like Giovanni Detta.

“Why me?” she had to ask. “And don’t tell me it was because you wanted me and I wanted you. A man like you doesn’t make life-altering decisions based on a whim.”

“What would or could have been doesn’t matter anymore. It is done. You’re a Detta now. That’s all that matters.”

“I’m afraid I’m going to need more than that. Also, I’m not just a Detta. I’m still a Rossi too.”

His eyes narrowed. “Youwilluse my name.”

Ah, there it was. Not even married for an hour, and he was already laying down the law. “See, this is exactly what I mean. You knew me for all of five minutes when you decided to pursue me. Did you ever consider for a minute that I might be the wrong Rossi girl for you? I’m not going to agree with everything you say just because you think you’re my lord and master.”

“Lord and master?” He pulled her close to his chest, his warm breath on her ear. “I like the sound of that.”

“I bet you do,” she murmured.

“Are you telling me you don’t prefer me to master you in the bedroom?”

Her eyes darted around, afraid someone might overhear. “Could we please not talk about this here,” she hissed. Thankfully, most of the guests were either eating or dancing. Even her sister Carmen was taking a spin with Gio’s youngest brother.

Instead of pulling back, which she had expected him to do, he nibbled on her earlobe. Heat washed over her when she imagined what else he could do with those lips.

“I’d like to talk about it now. So there will be no misunderstanding between us.”

She snorted. “Shouldn’t you have discussed our compatibility in the bedroom before we signed the papers? It’s kind of late now, don’t you think?”

This earned her a nip at her ear. Oh God, why did this make her almost melt?

“You will let me take you however I want,bella. And not only in the bedroom. It could be anywhere, at any time, in any position I like. This feeling you have right now”—she shivered when he stuck his tongue in her ear—“that’s only the beginning. As for your question, no, I never doubted that you were the right Rossi bride.”

She had no idea how to react to that or get back to their original conversation. Before she came up with a way, his brother Vincent “please call me Vince” cut in, taking Gio’s place.

“Finally. A chance to dance with my pretty sister-in-law,” Vince said, giving her a wink.

Jazzy didn’t know much about the Dettas, other than what info a quick internet search had provided her with. She did know that Vince was the second eldest of four brothers. There were two others; Jackson, the lawyer, and Luca, who was currently doing time for tax fraud. Nobody had mentioned Luca yet, but there was an empty chair next to the brothers’ seats with a black ribbon on it. Which basically answered the question of whether the Dettas still stood beside their brother, despite of him being a convicted felon.

Vince had ‘player’ written all over his face. It made her think of her sister’s husband, Franco. Her eyes searched the room for her sister. Carmen was now dancing with a family friend. She still looked a bit pale, but Jazzy knew she loved to dance, so she wouldn’t be sitting anytime soon.

“You don’t like me much, do you, Jocelyn?”

She was surprised he’d picked up on that. At the same time, she felt a hint of shame for judging him while she didn’t know him. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to give you that idea. I just… my mind is somewhere else.”

His gaze followed hers and landed on her sister. A hint of understanding crept into his trademark piercing blue Detta eyes. “On your sister, Carmen.”

“Yes.”

“I haven’t seen her husband Franco yet.”

“You know Franco?”

A chill crept into his eyes. “Yes.”

“I’m sure he’s around here somewhere,” she said, swallowing down a hateful remark over the possible whereabouts of Franco. Which was probably in some broom closet. The Detta mansion was huge, two stories high. The rat bastard could be anywhere.

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