Chapter 5 #2
“Yeah, but I’m done now, and so is she.” I said, knocking back the whiskey Gino handed me.
“Lorenzo, I apologise again, and I hope this doesn’t affect our working relationship.” He sheepishly smiled.
"Our working relationship will be just fine as long as you keep your eyes and hands off what's mine.” I handed him my empty glass as he nodded. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to pay my wife a little visit. Gino will see you out.” I didn't wait for him to respond.
There was no point. I strode out of the private room, down the spiral staircase, and onto the crowded dance floor.
It didn’t take me long to find her. I would have spotted her anywhere.
I watched her sensually move her body to the music with each step I took.
The thought of wrapping her ponytail around my fist while slamming into her tight pussy taunted me as my cock strained against the constraints of my suit pants.
Her hands slid seductively over every inch of her body, sending me into some sort of trance.
I shook myself out of it quickly enough, remembering that she was just a pawn in my game.
Her intoxicating scent filled my senses as I slowly invaded her personal space.
She was completely oblivious to me being there, which made my next move all the more sweeter.
I slid my arm around her waist from behind, securing her body to mine and bringing my lips to her ear so I’d be heard over the music.
“Enjoying yourself, wife?” I whispered as I felt a gasp leave her lips, her heart racing faster than what her dancing had caused.
I stole a glance at her friends who were somewhere between shock and drunken happiness.
“Don’t worry, I’m her husband,” I assured them, playing the part all too well.
“We’ll grab another drink and leave you both to it.” They giggled.
“Your drinks are on the house. Just tell them Lorenzo sent you, and there should be no issues.” And with that, they departed, leaving us alone.
"Where is your ring, Ana?" I asked, my voice a tense whisper as I struggled to keep my composure. I teased her bare finger with my own. Each second that passed without an answer only fuelled the heat rising in my chest.
“First of all, it’s Anastacia. And secondly, it’s at home in the drawer beside my bed. Next question.” She sarcastically smiled, riling me up even more.
“It’s supposed to be on your finger,” I growled.
“Well, it’s not, is it?” She held up her hand to show me her bare finger, a smug look written all over her face.
“Don’t worry, I’ll ensure it will be,” I assured her.
“Now, care to tell me why you snuck out and why you’re in my club?
Did you crave my attention that much, or did you want to get a rise out of me?
” I spun her to face me. Her lips parted, ready to give me a mouthful.
“Before you open that pretty little mouth of yours to surprise me with yet another smart ass remark, remember who you’re speaking to,” I warned as my fingers brushed the hickey on her neck.
The one she tried to cover up with layers of make-up.
“Oh, don’t worry. I know who I’m talking to.” She chuckled with an eye roll.
Was she drunk?
“And who’s that?”
“A damn stalker, that’s who.” She sneered, trying to turn away from me, which of course, I didn’t allow. “Get your hands off me!” She fisted my shirt, as anger radiated from her.
“I don’t think I will.” I tightened my hold as she let out a pissed off sigh. “Come with me,” I demanded, but there were no signs of movement.
"I'm going nowhere with you," she declared, her voice tinged with defiance. Her piercing blue eyes narrowed to icy slits, reflecting the storm of emotions swirling within her as she clenched her fists harder.
“It’s admirable that you think you have a choice,” I said, my voice laced with a mix of sarcasm and amusement.
I gently released my grip, letting my hands fall away from her, and in one fluid, decisive motion, hoisted her over my shoulder.
Her weight settled comfortably as I adjusted my stance, feeling the soft fabric of her dress brush against my cheek, while her startled gasp echoed in the air.
I weaved my way across the pulsating dance floor, feeling her tiny fists hammering against my back in an attempt to inflict pain.
We navigated through the throng of gyrating bodies, the crowd too engrossed in their own rhythm and music to pay any attention to us.
I sprinted up the winding staircase, until I reached the secluded haven of the private room.
Only then did I stop, quickly pulling the door shut to block out everything else.
“Put me down right now or I’ll—” She strained. Being upside down had its perks.
“You’ll what? Call Daddy Dearest or someone else to tattle on me?
” I chuckled as I set her down, and for some inexplicable reason, I steadied her so she didn’t break her neck in those damn heels.
“Why are you here, Ana?” I dipped my head just enough for the warmth of her vodka-infused breath to mingle with my own.
“I don’t see how it’s your business, to be honest.” She had an answer for absolutely everything.
“Since I’m your husband, it has everything to do with me.” I was so tempted to taste her, just once, to get it out of my system.
“You wish it did, you mean.” She giggled.
“You’re drunk, aren’t you?” I rubbed my temples as she shrugged her shoulders. “How much have you had to drink?” I asked.
“I might be drunk, but then again, I might not be,” she joked sarcastically as she rolled her eyes in annoyance.
“Fuck sake,” I snapped. It was clear she was barely paying attention to me. She was probably planning her next pain in the ass remark. “All you had to do tonight was behave, was it really that hard?”
“Yeah, I didn’t feel like doing that.” She stepped closer to me, capturing my attention. “And I actually don’t plan on ever behaving with you.”
“Right, I’m taking you home. We’ll discuss this when you aren’t intoxicated.”
“I was celebrating getting married.” Her lips twisted up at the corners. “Eh, who am I kidding? I can’t lie that well.” She laughed, swaying side to side. “But on a serious note, I’m not going anywhere with you.”
“I’m not playing games. Do as you’re told!” But of course, she didn’t. She turned on those death trap heels of hers and stalked off towards where I had sat with Rox not that long ago.
“Anastacia.” I sighed, catching up to her in two strides. I tossed her effortlessly over my shoulder once again as if she was nothing but a rag doll.
“If you don’t put me down, I swear I’ll feed you your own dick!” she screamed as her head dangled down my back.
“I look forward to the challenge, Mrs. Ricci,” I teased, laughing until I met Gino who was already waiting with the car.
“Lorenzo?” He arched his brow, questioning what was going on. “I’m not entirely sure what’s going on here.”
“What’s going on is this dickhead thinks he owns me. All because we’re married,” she piped up from behind me.
“My wife decided to sneak out tonight. She’s intoxicated and quite irritating.”
Gino let out a throaty laugh as Anastacia continued to pound my back. Someone so dainty sure could pack a punch. “Let’s just get her home.”
I carefully placed her on the backseat. Although, I should have bloody thrown her in there instead. Maybe I wasn’t feeling as heartless as I should have been.
“Are you joining me in the front, or are you keeping Anastacia company?” he asked, already rounding to the driver's side.
“I better watch her in the back. She seems to be good when it comes to escaping.” I scoffed as he smiled.
I slid in beside her, noticing she hadn’t yet secured herself.
“Put your belt on,” I ordered as I clicked mine into place. There was no movement as it was pretty damn clear she was doing her best to make my life hell.
“Anastacia, I said put your?—”
“I heard you! I’m not a damn child!” She reached over and clicked her belt into place before turning around to face me. “Thanks for ruining my night, by the way.”
“My pleasure.”
Gino began the drive home, nobody saying a word for a while.
Jazz music filled the car, and I suddenly felt something drop onto my shoulder.
Moving my head carefully, I noticed Anastacia had fallen asleep and unintentionally rested her head on me.
I studied her for a moment. Her face serene as if she didn't have a care in the world. Her lips curled upwards into a gentle smile, and it made me wonder what she was dreaming about. There was no way it was me, otherwise she’d be scowling.
“If I didn’t know you, I’d say you look like a man admiring his wife,” Gino piped up from the driver’s seat.
“Good job. You know the truth then,” I whispered.
“I know I do, but it’s not too late to?—”
“Drop it, Gino. You know my reasons, as well as my feelings, behind everything. Never question me or my plans again.” I shut him down, or so I thought, but he felt the need to continue.
“I know that but I saw how you reacted with Rox, and yes, I’ve seen that side of you, but never because of a woman.” He caught my eye in the rearview mirror, and I could tell he was trying his best to see if he could change my mind or get me to admit some nonexistent feelings.
“That woman is my wife, and there is no way in hell I’d let Rox anywhere near her. I don’t like sharing what’s mine. It meant nothing.” I narrowed my eyes at him as he quickly dropped the subject. “Let’s just get her home, and then, I’ll deal with the fuckers that let her slip past them.”
We pulled up to the house, and she showed no signs of waking up whatsoever. I had no idea what to do since I had never been in this situation before. I was removing her seatbelt when the door flung open, revealing one of my men who clearly had too much to drink.
“Boss, who’s the woman?” He questioned, already pissing me off. I ignored his stupid remark as I scooped her into my arms with ease before carrying her up the steps to the front door. I could feel him following behind. “You don’t fancy sharing her then?” Cunt.
My guys had been briefed relentlessly for today. They knew I was getting married, and that she’d be here. Was he so drunk that he forgot something that important?
I tightened my grip on her, refusing to let her slip from my embrace as I reached behind to draw my gun from the back of my waistband.
"I don't share my wife," I declared, my voice a low growl filled with unwavering determination.
I levelled the weapon at his head, watching as his jaw went slack and his eyes widened in sheer disbelief.
“Shit, Boss, I forgot. I had one too many. I?—”
I interrupted him abruptly with a single bullet piercing the space between his eyes, and he crumpled to the floor in a lifeless heap.
Everything around us was suddenly silent, except for the echoing ring of the gunshot.
I glanced down at Anastacia, who lay undisturbed, her breathing steady and unbroken.
The fact that she didn't stir, even as the sharp crack of the gunfire shattered the silence, left me baffled.
“Clean this shit up,” I ordered, as Gino had already pulled out his phone to call Red.
The second I entered the lobby, the men I trusted tonight were lined up looking sheepish. As they should.
“Boss,” Wes started.
“I don’t want to hear it. You all fucked up tonight, and once I put my wife to bed, I’ll be back to deal with each and every one of you,” I snapped, not wanting to waste my time on them any longer.
I ascended the stairs, making a beeline for Anastacia’s bedroom. I was in for a treat the second I reached the door, realising it was bloody locked. Why the hell did I install a lock on her door?! I could have kicked it in, but I didn’t fancy ruining my house just so she could sleep in her own bed.
I looked down at her body, knowing her dress had nowhere to hide a key, and we’d obviously left her bag in the car.
Could I have asked someone to grab it for me? Yes, I could have.
Was I going to? No, I wasn’t.
Knowing she’d wake up tomorrow with a shitty attitude was enough for me. Plus, I was actually looking forward to seeing what smart remarks she had in store for me.