Chapter 11 #2
My grip on her tightened. Her body stilled. Chad held out his hand as Anastacia remained torn at what to do.
“I’m here with my husband, Chad,” she informed him as he shifted his gaze to me for a split second before he turned his attention back to my wife.
“Ana, come on. It’s just one dance,” he insisted, leaning in with a self-assured grin that made my skin prickle. “Lorenzo doesn’t mind, do you?” he added, his voice dripping with arrogance, making my temper flare.
“I suggest you fuck off before I give everyone in this ballroom a show.” I stepped closer to him, eyes including Victor’s fell on us.
“Meaning I’ll carve you open from navel to mouth before turning your intestines into a noose.
” My threat hung heavy as his body stilled.
His smile vanished, and I clocked a flicker of fear.
“Ana—”
“Don’t speak to her. In fact, stay away from her. She is nothing to you,” I warned.
“And what, she’s everything to you?” he questioned, catching me off guard.
“That’s none of your business, but by all means, keep talking and I’ll slice that tongue right out of your vile mouth,” I growled as Victor appeared beside us.
“What is going on here?” he asked, trying to judge the situation.
“I think you need to teach your team some manners, Fedorov.” I clenched my teeth together, my jaw ticking with anger.
I felt the weight of Anastacia’s gaze, practically pleading with me to stop, but I didn’t. All that mattered was that Chad and everybody in this room knew she belonged to me. No matter how we felt towards one another, I would never let anyone take what was mine.
“He’s sorry. He didn’t mean to disrespect you.” Victor held up his hands, his half bothered attempt at apologising.
“I don’t need nor do I want an apology. Just keep your team away from my wife and me,” I ordered.
“But he’s more than just a member of my team, he’s practically family.” Victor smiled, trying to make light of everything.
“Well, he’s not mine, is he?” I snapped, still feeling Anastacia’s hand on my arm, which shocked me. She took putting on a show to a whole new level.
I pulled her away from them, leading her outside as she finally let go of me.
"You didn't need to do that!" she exclaimed, her voice rising in pitch. Her eyes, usually bright and warm, clouded over, narrowing into intense slits. Her hands tightened into fists at her sides, and her brows furrowed deeply, casting shadows over her face as she glared at me.
“If you talk to him again, I’ll kill him,” I whispered. “You are mine. Not his.”
She jabbed her finger into my chest. “If you think you can control me, you’re wrong.” She pointed out, challenging my authority. “Was everything that just happened for show, letting everyone believe you’d kill for your wife?”
“I have already killed for you.” I breathed.
“No, Lorenzo, you killed that man because you wanted to.” She sighed.
“Yeah, you’re right, I did.” I said, taking that lie a little too far. I expected her face to fall, to show any other emotion than the one she was giving me, but it didn’t.
“At least you were honest.” She snatched her wrist from my hold. “I’m going to see if Red will drive me home. I’m done for the night.”
“Ana—”
“Goodnight, Lorenzo.”
And just like that, she was gone. I could have chased her, but my feet didn’t move.
I pulled out my phone, dialling Red’s number.
He answered within one ring. “Boss?”
“Ana wants you to take her home,” I informed him.
“What did you do this time?”
“Just drive her home, Red. Leave her there and come back here,” I ordered.
“You sure you want me to leave her there alone?” he asked. There was that damn concern again.
“Just do as I ask.” I hung up the phone, not waiting for his reply.
Tonight was a complete shit show.
And I’d make her pay for walking out on me.
“Ana!” I called out, knowing if I called her name loud enough she’d wake up. “Ana!” Oh shit, she might just murder me. I clearly had too much to drink after she left me earlier.
“Lorenzo, shut up,” Red hissed. “What’s the point in waking her up? Are you dying for an argument, or what?”
“Those arguments are the best part of my day. I love to see how much she hates me.” I laughed as all Red and Emmet could do was tut and sigh in annoyance. “Besides, she should wake up! She left her husband at that damn ball. What wife leaves their husband alone?”
“A smart one.” Emmet scoffed. Fuck sake, not him too. “Don’t wake her up, Lorenzo. Just talk about it in the morning.”
“It might be too late for that.” Gino cocked his head towards the stairs as we all glanced up to see my wife standing there in those delicious next to nothing pyjamas.
She was clearly pissed off, her expression the perfect mixture of annoyance and disgust. Lucky me.
“There she is, my ice queen wife.” I cheered at her arrival, her lips pressed into a thin line as I could barely hide my amusement.
Everyone beside me froze, knowing the storm that was about to unleash. Her gaze locked onto mine with a certain ferocity that made each one of them flinch. As she made her way towards me, I drank in every inch of her.
“You embarrassed me tonight, Ana. Does it feel good knowing I had to spend the night alone covering for you?”
Her voice remained calm. “I embarrassed you? Wow, that’s rich coming from a man who stumbled in here, calling my name at the top of his lungs to get my attention. We all know why I left, Lorenzo, and that’s down to you and your bullshit.”
“My wife should be seen, not heard.” I scoffed, chuckling straight after. God, how drunk was I? Why couldn’t I stop talking?
Everyone seemed to hold their breath as her hand shot out, her palm connecting with my cheek. A sharp crack echoed through the house as the force alone sent me stumbling backwards. Everyone remained silent, waiting for my next move.
I was beginning to think she enjoyed slapping me.
“I’ll never be that wife, Lorenzo. If you long for one like that, I suggest you look elsewhere.”
“You’d love that, wouldn’t you?” I asked, suddenly becoming sober with each word she threw at me.
“Too right, I would. Good luck to her.” She turned on her heel, retreating towards her bedroom.
“I’m not done, Ana,” I called after her, but as usual, it gained no attention.
“Well, I am.”