Page 58 of Whispers in the Dark
“Never thought I’d see the day where Mr. Grumpy was in love,” Vin says, stretching an arm across the back of the booth. I’m ready to flip him off when he tells me, “It suits you.”
Alex slides in next to Vin, and Eli takes the open seat beside Leo, filling in the space at our table.
I cross my arms over my chest and glare at Vin.
“What?” he asks with confusion in his voice. “I just gave you a compliment.”
True. He did. But I’m still annoyed about earlier.
Alex glances up from his phone. “I’m guessing he wants to know why you decided to call Gregory without running it by him first.”
Vin shrugs. “What’s wrong with inviting him to the party?”
I lift a brow.
“Fine.” He leans forward. “Don’t you find it odd that your wife hasn’t informed her father that she’s married?”
I won’t pretend the thought hasn’t crossed my mind. But I’m assuming it’s because this is all only temporary, something Vin and the rest of them don’t know, and she probably doesn’t think there’s a need for her father to know…right?
Vin’s phone vibrates, and he looks down at the screen, his features quickly morphing to serious. “Marco just sent confirmation that the distillery has been destroyed.” His dark eyes glance up, looking between us. “We’ll leave for the island tomorrow.” His gaze darts to Alex. “And you’ll take Mom and Clara to France.”
The four of us nod.
Even though the estate has become one of the most secure places in the country, things will be tense for the next few days, and it’s best to keep the women away during that time without them knowing why.
My sight shifts to the dance floor, expecting to see the women enjoying themselves as they did just a moment ago.
Only this time, they aren’t alone.
Two men I don’t recognize have joined them, leaning in close, saying something that makes Alina laugh.
Most likely asking her to dance.
My jaw tightens.
It will be a cold day in hell before another man lays a hand on my wife.
I’m on my feet before I consciously decide to move, shoving back my seat, which crashes to the floor. Leo and Eli look over, finally realizing what’s going on, but they’re too slow.
I bypass them, storming the dance floor as I shove people aside until I make it behind the one man standing too goddamn close to Alina.
I tap him on the shoulder, and the second he looks my way, I spin him around and grab him by the collar, dragging him away.
Vin stands by the exit with a shit-eating grin on his face. “Taking out the garbage?”
I grunt as I make my way outside and deposit the man to the ground, watching as he scrambles to his feet.
He raises his hands in defense. “Sorry, man. We’re old friends. I didn’t know she was married!”
“Mauro!” Alina steps outside, panting. Her hands rest on her hips as she glances toward the man scurrying down the sidewalk. “He’s an old friend from school,” she says quickly. “He was only asking if I wanted to dance.”
I shake my head, stepping closer. I lift my hand, tipping her chin until her eyes meet mine. “Only. Me.” The words scrape their way out, tight and rough, sending a sharp ache down my throat, but I don’t care. Not when she needs to understand what I’m saying beneath them.
She studies me for a beat, then crosses her arms over her chest. “So…” Her mouth curves, cautious but amused. “Does that mean you’re asking me to dance?”
Well fuck. I don’t dance. Never have and never planned on it.
But for her?
