Chapter 44 #3
“Like a snack for a wolf?” she jokes.
“Like I want to rip out the eyes of every other person in this room just because they get to look at you too.”
“Well, it might become a blood bath in here then, because I feel the very same way about you in this tux,” she admires, running a hand down my lapel.
Even though we’re in a room full of people, it feels like we’re in our own little bubble. That is until I hear a familiar voice purr at my back.
“Hello, Raf. I thought that was you.”
I tense, and Chiara looks up at me, confused for only a moment before recognition dawns.
I turn us slowly towards the voice that grates on me the same way nails down a chalkboard do. White-hot anger for the woman before me rises up, and I feel like a cannon ready to fire.
“In the flesh,” I state, not bothering with a greeting back.
“You look…dashing as always,” she says, appraising me, and now it’s Chiara’s turn to tense beside me. “Still boxing, I see,” she says, going to touch my eye, like she has the fucking right to have hands on me.
I pull back, and she drops her hand and clears her throat.
“Don’t mind him. He can get a bit grumpy when he’s got a lot of pent-up energy, if you know what I mean,” says Chiara sweetly with a coy wink. “I’m Chiara. It’s nice to meet you…” Chiara pauses to allow her to answer.
“Victoria Williamson.”
“Your name sounds familiar; do you two work together?”
Honestly, I might joke she’s not cut out to be a comedian, but her acting is top-fucking-tier. I snake my free hand around her waist, pulling her closer to me, watching Victoria study every interaction between us.
“No. I’m his ex-fiancée.”
“Oh,” says Chiara, feigning surprise as Victoria delights in thinking she’s shocked her with the admission.
“You just look different from the pictures I’ve seen online.
” She leans in like she’s going to tell her a secret.
“You really need to tell whoever is taking your photos that your left side is not your good side.” Victoria pales, rendered speechless.
“I’m a photographer, so you can trust me,” Chiara says good-naturedly, like she’s giving an old friend advice.
“Then again, on second thought…” she continues, tapping her lip for effect.
“It’s kinda hard to find the good side of a cheating, lying bitch.
Luckily, he upgraded when he made me his wife. ”
Victoria’s eyes widen, and she looks at me then Raf.
“Wife?” she questions, but we remain silent, which only fuels her indignation. “Wow, you got yourself a real classy one here, Raf.”
I laugh darkly. “Oh, right. I forgot the cheating, runaway bride wrote the rulebook for classy.”
She narrows her eyes to slits. “I thought maybe we could’ve addressed this like mature adults, but it seems I was sorely mistaken.”
“The ship for addressing anything like mature adults sailed the day you left,” I say. “Please don’t come near me again.”
“Well, that might be difficult, seeing as I’ve moved back to New York and I’ve been appointed partner at Bartholomew Jones Entertainment Lawyers.” She smiles with satisfaction.
It’s not lost on me that Arty’s father has brought back the one person I never wanted to see again.
I knew this case was going to be a fight.
Getting personal is just the fucking start of it.
“Oh, you might also want to pass the message onto your dad that you’ve decided to downgrade,” she says smugly. “He was convinced you weren’t over me.”
“Oh, Vicki, after you, the only way was up,” Chiara drawls, “so my pussy and I assure you that Raf is so fucking over you, it’s not even funny.
Feel free to pass the message onto Mr. Princi senior, too,” she says, smiling sweetly.
“Now, if you’ll excuse us, we’re going to get my husband some scotch.
This Champagne tastes as foul as that look on your face. ”
Chiara goes to lead me towards the bar, but I pull her back to me, collar her neck, and kiss her hard.
I pull back, feeling the calmest I’ve felt in a long time.
Surprise and wonder sparkle in her big green eyes.
In my periphery, I see Victoria stalk off, some heads turning in our direction, enjoying the entertainment, but I don’t so much as glance in their direction.
“Let’s get out of here. Get some proper food.”
“Raf, your father is going to fuckin—”
“Chiara. My life. My fucking choices. I can still do my job well without being in these rooms. I don’t need these people. I have everything I need right here,” I say as I lace my fingers with hers and squeeze before leading us through the room back towards the door we came through not too long ago.
“And I want to be wherever you are. So…I guess we’re going to Joey’s.”
I look over my shoulder and smirk. “I don’t remember saying we were going there.”
“No, but I think we both know I’ve earned the right to call the shots.”
“Maybe for now,” I say. “But later, Daddy’s calling the shots.”
“Yes, sir,” she says in a low voice. “I knew you secretly loved me calling you that.”