Page 38 of The Enforcer

“You’re mad.”

He bit the inside of his cheek to keep in a sarcastic retort.

“Not now.” They were still on the dance floor. Surrounded by guests who were dancing, chatting, and having a drink and a laugh. This wasn’t the place for a scene.

That’s why he led her toward the patio. He tried his best to keep a scowl from his face as he passed guests, patting him on the back, trying to make small talk. He gave the appropriate answers, until he had Mary outside on the seemingly abandoned patio.

He let go of her the second the door closed behind them.

“Why the fuck would you invite Kristoff? Explain yourself.”

Her baby blues narrowed, and she folded her arms. “I really don’t like your tone right now.”

What the hell?

“There must be something wrong with my hearing, ’cause I’m damn sure you didn’t just say you don’t like my tone.”

She took a deep breath, as if he was the one trying her patience. Again, what the hell?

“You’re not in the military anymore, Hector. Neither am I. So please don’t bark at me. As for an explanation, I was hoping to start our marriage fresh, since it is a new beginning for both of us. You said there would be no marriage of convenience, and I’m planning to hold you to that. Well, guess what? This means that you are my family now. One of the few family I have left, and I wanted to do something nice for you.

“I was trying to help you bury the hatchet with your brother. Obviously, you don’t want that, and that’s okay. I will listen if you think I’ve crossed a line, but I will not accept being snapped at or being questioned like I’m some child. Now, if you will excuse me, I have to get back inside because… oh, who am I kidding? I’m going back in because I’m angry at you.”

With that, she gave him her back and strode back inside, her head held high.

He stared at her retreat, dumbfounded. What the fuck had just happened? He was the one wronged here. She should fucking apologize for sticking her nose in business where she had no business sticking it.

“You’re being an asshole,” a voice sounded behind him.

He turned to find Achilles against a brick wall, arms folded across his chest.

“How amIthe asshole here? She meddled in something she had no business poking around in.”

“That’s called having a wife. It’s what they do. Get used to it. And I think she was trying to help. Family is a big thing to Mary. Her own sister and mother didn’t bother to show up to her wedding today. That must have hurt, a lot. In her mind, she was probably sparing you that pain or something.”

Fuck. Voiced like that, it made sense. Still. Didn’t mean he was going to admit it. Achilles would never let him live it down.

“Since when did you become the chick whisperer?”

“I have mad skills with the ladies.”

“Fuck off.”

A laugh followed. “Just think about it, man. You know what they say: happy wife, happy life.”

He padded back inside and found Mary near the buffet, having a talk with Cortez.

“Boss man, I was just asking your bride to hook me up with one of her friends.”

Mary eyed him warily, but he didn’t give a fuck. He put an arm around her waist and pulled her against him.

“What happened to your girl?”

Cortez’ face fell. “We’re on a break.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that,” Mary said, her eyes full of sympathy.

Apparently, the puppy hadn’t worked out so well after all. He was just about to point that out to Diaz Security’s Casanova, when Kristoff showed his face.

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