Page 176 of Shades of Loyalty
Winding down—just like her patience.
I can see it in her eyes. She’s completelydoneplaying bride. All she wants is to rip that damn dress off, toss it into the farthest corner of the room, and not look at it again.
Okay, maybe she will—but not for the next three months, at least.
Not that she needs to worry about taking it off herself.
Because the second we’re alone—in the house she doesn’t even know we’re driving toward—I’m going to rip it off for her.
She’s not completely wasted. I made sure of that.
Tonight, I need her aware. I need her to feeleverysecond of it.
There was supposed to be fun involved, so she drank a few shots with Vicky and Katya for sure. But that’s where I drew the line. She complained at first, but I made her stop with just a few words.
“Shut your pretty lips,” I whisper in her ear. “You’re gonna forgive me in less than an hour. I’ll make it up to you, my love. I promise.”
She just blushed, nodded, and agreed that too much alcohol wouldn’t do her any good—
Especially when the real fun for us is just getting startedafterthe party.
I turn the wheel one last time, pulling into the driveway.
“Are you sureyoudidn’t drink anything?” she asks, laughing.
“I’m very sure, wifey. Why are you asking?”
I glance at her before I turn off the engine.
“This isnotthe right house, Daniel. What kind of drug did Yuri slip you behind my back? Should I call an Uber?”
I grin. Fuck. I’m getting way too excited for her reaction.
“Just trust me with this, alright? We’re exactly where we’re supposed to be, promise.”
I lean in, peck her cheek gently, then grab the keys and her water bottle before getting out. I walk around to her side, opening the door and offering my hand like a gentleman.
She looks up at me, smirking. “I have no idea what you planned—and I’mworried, let me tell you that.”
“No need to worry,” I murmur as I kiss her gently. “You’re going to love it.”
I take her hand in mine and lead her toward the house.
It’s not some massive villa like the one we live in with the rest of them.
It’s small, painted white, and planted right on the edge of the beach.
“Did you rent it?” she asks, “like an Airbnb?”
I grin, not wanting to spoil the surprise yet. “I’ll tell you when we get inside. There, come on.”
Both of us walk toward the entrance where I open the door immediately. I let her walk inside first before I close the door, and finally, turn on the light.
Alright, I do have to admit, it’s something I need to get used to. The Caruso Villa is way bigger than this small house.
But it feels like… Home.
“Do you like it?” I ask her. She turns to me slowly.
