Page 23 of Urgent Vows
Usually, I would chastise someone for talking to me like that, but my new wife amuses me. Most women are too afraid to talk to me with anything other than deference. My mother and sister being the two exceptions, but even they tread more lightly than Catalina has done since we met.
I still remember the way she lectured me about taking the time to get to know her sister to help alleviate Carlotta's fears before the wedding. No one else would have dared to take me to task like she did.
I'd done what she demanded too.
She has suffered abuse from her father for years and she should be afraid of her own shadow, but she is not afraid of me. The most terrifying man in all of New York.
Her lack of fear toward me gives me a strange sensation in my chest.
I ignore it.
"Focus on breathing deeply as often as you can, Mrs. De Luca," the doctor adds. "Consistent shallow breathing can lead to infections and even pneumonia."
From what she said earlier, my wife is already aware of this. Because of her previous bruised and broken ribs.
A wave of fury crashes through me, but I control it. I will vent my anger later, on the one who deserves it. Her father.
Catalina's brows draw together in a frown and I think she's going to get snarky with the doctor again, but she asks, "How am I going to get home?"
"The same way we came." Does she think I'm going to abandon her here?
"Are you going to carry me out of here wrapped up in a sheet? Someone sliced my dress into pieces, getting it off me."
I did not have a choice. Doing it any other way would have caused her unnecessary pain. "What size are you and what sort of clothes would be most comfortable for you right now?"
She tells me her size and then says, "Honestly? I wish I could just put on a nightgown, but I know that's not how the don's wife should be dressed outside of my bedroom."
"Our bedroom," I correct her before she starts getting ideas about having her own room. "So, a loose fitting dress?"
"Maybe a maxi dress with a princess waist. Something I don't need to wear a bra with."
I would prefer her to wear a bra whenever she is in public because her gorgeous breasts are mine alone to ogle. However, in this instance, an exception can be made.
Tomorrow, however, I will have my mother buy Catalina undergarments that will not constrict her ribs.
"Aldo, send one of the men to buy my wife a dress like she described and some kind of jacket or sweater to wear over it."
"Don't forget underwear." Catalina blushes again, as embarrassed by the request as she was me talking to the doctor about being able to have sex.
I nod to Aldo, to let him know to do as she says.
She gives me a testy glance. "Make it a lightweight jacket or sweater," Catalina instructs Aldo. "It's seventy-five degrees outside."
"The SUV will be colder from the aircon," I point out.
"If I get chilled, we can either turn it off," she says in a tone that borders on belligerence. "Or you can give me your jacket like a gentleman."
"You do remember that I am still your don." My own voice is not gentle.
She scowls at me.
What is wrong with her? I find her lack of fear of me refreshing, but this blatant antagonism in front of others is unacceptable.
"You are my husband first," she claims.
I do not argue because I am not sure if I agree or disagree with that statement and until I know, I will not say anything.
One thing I am sure about is that she must show me respect in front of others, and her attitude is anything but respectful right now. I let her see the displeasure in my expression.
