Page 41 of Reign of Fate
“Our children will know nothing but love,” he says. He lowers his head, but his phone rings, and we’re interrupted. I’m doing a little happy dance inside that Ivo wants to have more children.
FOURTEEN
Peace by Death
ELISA
This is the first time in many years that I’ll be attending anUltimo Mortefunction. My last experience was less than pleasant, and I can’t say I’m looking forward to a repeat of what previously occurred. However, Ivo needs me by his side, and I won’t let him down.
I wish I’d never agreed to a red dress. It makes me stand out like a beacon in the night. The figure-hugging, long silk gown is chaste from the front, but dips down to the curve of my lower back. The only jewelry is a thick white-gold bangle on my wrist, adorned with vibrant red rubies. My makeup is dramatic, perfect for the occasion, and my hair is knotted and twisted in a messy braid and pinned up off my neck.
Even in my three-inch heels, Ivo still towers over me in his immaculate tuxedo. He looks stunning and even more dangerous with his brooding expression as he sees me for the first time this evening.
I glance down at my dress to see if something is out of place. “Is something wrong?” He doesn’t respond. I say, “I thought you liked this dress.”
“I love the dress. I love you in the dress. I’m not going to love the men ogling you all night,” he grits out.
I give him my best sexy smile and tease him by saying, “You haven’t seen the back.” Then I spin around slowly so he can take in the entire gown. I look over my shoulder. “Well?”
“If you’re trying to make us late by seducing me, Raffaele will have my balls cut off,” he replies. “Tell me you have a jacket to put over that.”
“It’s chilly tonight. I have a wrap. Will you help me with it?” I hold out my hand for him to take it from me, and he slides it over my shoulders, then presses his lips to the curve of my neck.
“Later, I’m going to enjoy ripping this dress off and burying my cock in your tight pussy,” he says, making my body tingle with excitement.
Before I have a chance to respond with a witty retort, he’s leading me by the hand to the car and helping me into the passenger seat. Driving in their own car is Massimo and another one of Ivo’s men, following us. Throughout the drive, Ivo finds ways to touch me, with a hand on my leg or holding my hand. It’s a sweet, romantic gesture. He’s done this often in the last few months, and every time he does, I feel a little more for him.
When Ivo first proposed the idea of marriage, he said he couldn’t love me, but we would have mutual respect for one another. I accepted because it was the most I could hope for, but now I find myself falling in love with my husband.
I see him with Adriana and know that Ivo is more than a killer. He’s an amazing father who adores his little girl. He’s the man Raffaele considers a brother, and no one else could ever dare come close to saying that. I’m well aware that my husband has blood on his hands, and I know he has a reputation for enjoying the kill, but he’s been gentle with me.
Several times, I’ve come close to telling him how I feel, but I stop myself because I know he won’t say those words back. He had one love, and she’s gone. It will gut me if he becomes cold and distant, so I’ll keep my love a secret, and perhaps one day, I’ll have the courage to tell him.
Ivo stops the car in front of the casino and comes around to open the door, handing the keys to the valet and then escorting me inside. The place is already bustling with activity, but as soon as we arrive, the room grows quiet, and all eyes are upon us. I find it very unsettling. I’ve never enjoyed being the center of attention, but Ivo warned me this is part of being married to the consigliere ofUltimo Morte.So I take a deep breath, hold my head high, and walk alongside my husband as he circulates through the room.
The guests are even more in awe when Raffaele arrives with Evangeline. With them come Evangeline’s brother, Aris, and his wife, Nina.La Famigliahas been part of this project, and this casino has been a joint effort for both families. All the underbosses seek a moment of Raffaele’s and Ivo’s time, leaving Evangeline and me to play hostess to the wives of these men. The fake compliments and smiles are enough to make me nauseous. When they think I’m not looking, I can see their turned-up noses as they eye me up and down, passing judgment. The older women look at me with condemnation. I know what they’re thinking. My dress is too sexy or they’ll invent some other trite reason to tear me down. I’ve heard it before, and it shouldn’t bother me, but it does. No one likes to be the subject of gossip.
The room is crowded, and many high-profile officials have arrived. Ivo sees me from across the room, gives me a smile, and motions for me to join him. As I make my way over to him, a waitress bumps into me, knocking my glass out of my hand. Liquid splatters all over the front of my dress. I couldn’t care less about that, but then the three women standing nearby begin to snicker, and one says, “Serves her right. She probably killed Guido herself to be rid of him.” And another comments, “How else could she seduce the second-in-command with a husband around?”
The poor waitress is trying to help, and I’m useless, and on the verge of tears. Evangeline steps forward. She’s furious. I’ve never seen her this way before.
“How dare you!” she exclaims. “I have a good mind to have Raffaele eject you from this party. It’s women like you that give all women a bad reputation. What is it about Elisa, huh? Is she too beautiful? Too sweet? Too intelligent? You’re horribly offensive, and I want nothing to do with you.”
Evangeline came to my rescue, but, unfortunately, I wasn’t the only one who heard her go off. Raffaele strides across the room, his face filled with fury, and with him is Ivo. Raffaele wraps his arm around Evangeline’s waist. His first concern is for her safety, and, being the overprotective husband, he wants his wife out of harm’s way.
Ivo’s voice is lethal, and his tone makes me tremble when he tells the three women, “Leave! Get the fuck out of here before I throw you out.” I look around us. We’re attracting a crowd.
I step forward, placing my hand on his arm. “It’s all right. Please don’t—”
Ivo stares into my tear-filled eyes. “No one speaks to my wife that way. It’s disrespectful and unwarranted.”
“You don’t even know what was said.” He was on the other side of the room. How could he possibly know?
“I know that if Evangeline reacted as she did, it was inappropriate. I’ll know what was said,” he says menacingly, glancing back at the women. “I won’t put my hands on you, but you have husbands and sons who will pay for your words,” he warns. By this time, the husbands of these women have learned what’s happened and have joined us.
“A car will drive you home, Inelda,” one man says.
“All three will go,” says another.
