Page 101 of Urgent Vows
"External appearances are easy to change, but you cannot paper over the cracks of character."
"Carlotta has character. Not wanting to be traded into marriage like a commodity doesn't make her a bad person."
"No, but neither does lying and pretending an intention to go through with the marriage make her a good one."
SEVERU
I arrive in the parking garage at the same time as my wife, sister and mother return from their shopping trip.
Working from home is sometimes more efficient with fewer interruptions. If I left my office when I learned they were headed home, that does not mean I cannot keep away from Catalina. Or that I am missing her.
We see each other every day for dinner and sleep in the same bed, but that is all we do in it. She turns away from me at night even though I see her watching me with hunger in her beautiful hazel eyes.
I do not apologize for anything and yet I've said that I am sorry three times now to my wife. It is not enough for her. A man of action, I have plans that will get me back into her good graces. I will reveal them after her father's funeral.
They will show her that I trust her, and that she did not make a mistake trusting me.
I've never been in this situation before. If I had married Carlotta, I never would have been, but even the thought of that makes me more furious than being at this temporary impasse with my strong-willed wife.
Catalina is my equal which I never expected to have in my wife. It is not a man-woman thing. Since my father's death, I have never considered another person as my equal. Not even my brother. Because ultimately, he still has to defer to me.
So does my wife and yet…behind closed doors, whether in the bedroom or out of it. That is not true, but shouldn't it be? I am Don of New York.
I despise this confusion.
My mother and sister exit the car, but Aldo reaches down to help my wife out with a hand around her waist.
I'm going to kill him.
I'm across the distance between us before I realize I am moving and I jerk Aldo's hand away from Catalina. "You don't need to touch my wife to guard her."
Aldo's mouth tightens and his eyes narrow, but he steps away from Catalina. I don't expect this reaction. Aldo is loyal and one of my best trained men. What the hell is going on?
"Hello, Severu," Catalina gives me a tight smile and then looks at her head bodyguard. "Thank you, Aldo. Will someone bring the bags up?"
"Of course, Signora Severu."
She nods and turns to go. My wife walks away without another word for me, but for once I'm not watching her. My gaze is fixed on Aldo.
I grab him by the throat and shove him up against the armored SUV. "What the hell, Aldo?"
His eyes narrow and he stares at me in a way he never has before. Like he's pissed at me. "Maybe the shopping trip could have waited until your wife was fully healed."
She ismywife and Aldo needs to remember that. She's had nearly a week to recover and she told me she was fine with going this morning when I asked her.
I shove Aldo away from me, letting go of his neck so he falls against the hood of the SUV.
"She said she was feeling up to it." I can't believe I'm justifying myself to my Soldier.
Aldo straightens his tie and collar. He doesn't say anything in reply, but his expression says he wants to.
"Are you implying my wife lied to me?" I ask.
My concern for Catalina is overriding my anger. A first for me.
Hell.
"No." Aldo's vehemence shows he is already loyal to Catalina.
