Page 67 of Whispers in the Dark
But we have rules.
Rules to prevent things from getting messy.
I tug at the ends of my hair. What I wouldn’t give to eliminate those goddamn rules!
“What’s on your mind, big guy?” Vin rests his chin in the palm of his hand.
I shake my head and lean forward. There’s no way I can tell him the truth. That this marriage is a lie. A carefully constructed arrangement that allows Alina to access her inheritance. Or that somewhere along the way, lines have blurred. That I’m feeling things I shouldn’t for myfakewife. Or that on the plane ridehere, we made out for the first time like a couple of teenagers hiding in the basement closet.
So, instead, I pull out my phone and type,Do youthink the Vasilievs will take revenge?
Vin leans back, rubbing his jaw as he considers it. “Probably,” he says. “But we’ll be ready.” He grips my shoulder, solid and reassuring. “No one’s stepping foot in our home again. I made damn sure of it. It’s safer than Buckingham Palace. In fact, some of the guards I hired used to work there.” His eyes narrow slightly. “You really worried about them or is something else eating at you?”
I roll my bottom lip between my teeth, tapping my index finger against the table.
“You know you can talk to me, right?” he says, concern slipping into his voice. “I mean, we don’t need to talk about our feelings and shit, but as your big brother, I’m here if you need help.” He clasps my shoulder, and I show him an appreciative grin.
“And now let’s take it slow,” the instructor tells everyone.
The music shifts to something sensual and sultry, the kind that instantly alters the air.
My gaze drifts back to the stage. Eli has Madeleine. Leo has Scarlett. But when I spot Alina, my vision darkens.
Some young staffer, clearly lacking good sense, offers her his hand. She shakes her head with a polite smile, but he presses. And the second she looks over her shoulder at me, something in me snaps.
“Better go show everyone whose wife that is,” Vin murmurs, amusement lacing his voice.
I abruptly stand, causing my chair to crash behind me. My steps eat up the distance to the dance floor, my pulse pounding harder with every stride.
I grab him by the collar and haul him back, shoving him away. The color drains from his face instantly as he throws his hands up, trembling.
“Mauro!” Alina gasps behind me.
I loom over the man, every muscle coiled tight, my chest heaving as fury thrums through my veins. My hands curl into fists at my sides.
“My…wife!” I roar as loud as I can manage, hoping the whole goddamn island can hear me while not giving a fuck about the scathing pain running up and down my larynx.
But the moment Alina places her hand on my back, I feel the fury slowly dwindle from my body. The rage ebbs almost immediately, retreating under her touch. I shoot the man one last warning glare. He dips his head, apologizing profusely before scurrying away.
When I turn to her, she cups my cheek, biting her bottom lip. “Dance with me?”
Without hesitation, I slide one hand against her waist and use my other to lace my fingers through hers. She reaches up, not quite tall enough to circle my neck, so her free hand settles against my shoulder instead. And then we move with the music.
“You’re starting to make this a habit,” she muses, biting down on a grin.
I grunt in response.
“I’m not complaining. I like dancing with you.”
I arch a brow, caught off guard.
“I’m serious,” she adds, her voice softening. She exhales, searching for the right words. “I feel…” She shakes her head. “I don’t know how to explain it. It just feels right being in your arms like this.”
A whistle is heard to my right, and I see Vin cheering and clapping. I scowl and discreetly flip him off.
“I don’t know if you realized it or not,” she continues, “but you called me yourwife.” She glances up at me through her lashes. “And I kind of liked it.”
My steps slow as she rests her head against my chest.
