Chapter 12 #3
“Vincenzo's definitely on your side. He played his part perfectly as the supporting right hand. The guy who spoke up, Sammy something, looked a little like he needed some more convincing, but he’s old school. He doesn’t want to deal with any bullshit, so make sure you have plans and answers for anything he throws at you.
A couple of the guys looked terrified when you implied they might be hiding shit, which means they could be skimming.
So keep an eye out for that.” I pause. “And Riccardo? He’s a problem. ”
She lets out a deep sigh and collapses back against the seat.
“Riccardo's always been a problem. My father should have dealt with him years ago. I need eyes and ears on him. I don’t trust him as far as I can throw him, and he’s a definite weak link in the organization.
I wouldn’t put it past him to do something that could hurt our organization, just because he’s such a spiteful asshole. ”
“We’ve got Wolfe. Maybe he can help.” I drum my fingers on the steering wheel. “You’re good at this. Giving orders. Taking charge. It’s impressive.”
“I'm good at reading people. That's different.” She's quiet for a moment. “My board meetings are easier. The stakes are lower, and everyone pretends to be civilized. This...” She shakes her head. “This is something else.”
“Yeah, but you held your own. You never backed down.”
“I had no choice. If I'd shown any weakness, they would have eaten me alive.”
“They're going to try anyway. Riccardo especially.”
“I know.”
She’s quiet for a few more blocks and stares out the window at the buildings and trees zipping past.
“The thing you did,” she says. “When Riccardo stood up. The way you moved close to me.”
“What about it?”
She turns her head toward me. “You didn't say anything. You just... appeared.”
“Didn't need to say anything.”
“No.” She's watching me. I can feel her curious eyes boring into me. “You didn't.”
I keep my eyes on the road. “He was too close. You had it handled, but he was too close. I didn’t like it, and I’m not gonna let that kind of bullshit power play slide.
” I glance at her as I slow for a red light.
“You're my wife. On paper, at least. That means something.
Maybe not to you, not yet. But it means something to men like Riccardo.
If I let him crowd you without consequence, it's a signal that says you're not protected. And fuck anyone who ever thinks that about you.”
Her jaw drops, and when she realizes it, she snaps her lips closed. Sitting up straight in the seat, she says, “I don't need protection.”
“I know you don't. But they need to know that if they come for you, they go through me first. That's not about you being weak. It's about them understanding the cost.”
“Thank you," she says in a softer voice. “For not stepping in. For letting me handle it.”
“It was your meeting.”
“Some men wouldn't have seen it that way.”
“I'm not some men.” I grin. “What more do I have to do to convince you of that?”
She watches me for a while after that, turning the question over in her mind, no doubt. She doesn’t answer, but out of the corner of my eye, I can see her shoulders relax.
Must be new for her, someone having her back, no questions asked.
When we get back to the penthouse, I’ve barely parked the car before she jumps out. She rushes to the elevator, and I have to break out into a jog to make it inside before the doors close.
Once we’re inside, she kicks off her heels and walks straight to the bathroom. Even Reaper can’t catch up, she’s moving so fast.
“I need a minute,” she calls out. Then the door closes and the lock clicks.
I stand in the hallway, running a hand through my hair. The water turns on. But it’s more than just the spray I hear.
Stepping closer, I strain my ears. She's not crying. I'm pretty damn sure that Adriana DiMicheli doesn't cry. But something else is going on in there. Maybe this is how she handles adversity. Maybe it’s her process. Screaming shit she needs to get off her chest while the shower runs.
I wait.
After a few minutes, I go to the kitchen and start the coffee maker. It isn’t long before the rich scent fills the air. I pour her a cup and leave it on the kitchen island.
When she walks out of the bathroom, she stops and looks at the mug, then at me.
“You didn't have to do that,” she murmurs.
“I know. But you had a pretty early morning. I figured you could use the caffeine.”
She nods, picks up the cup, and takes a sip. Her eyes float closed for a second and she lets out a deep breath.
“They're going to regret underestimating you,” I say.
Adriana opens her eyes. “Is that a prediction or a threat to them?”
I smirk. “Both.”
“Riccardo…” she mutters, taking another sip of the coffee. “He’s going to be such a problem.”
“Then we'll handle him.”
“We?” She raises an eyebrow. “Careful. That almost sounds like you're invested.”
"I'm your husband. Kinda goes with the territory.”
Reaper pads over and sits at her feet, looking up at her with adoring eyes. She sighs, reaches down, and gives him three pats this time. Lucky guy.
Progress.
“I have calls to make,” she says. “Damage control. Board members who are going to panic when the news breaks about the marriage.”
She picks up her coffee and heads for the bedroom, which I guess is her default office now, at least until she feels comfortable working in the common areas with me and Reaper hanging around.
I walk into the living room and drop onto the couch, the television remote in my hand.
Reaper hops up next to me and rests his head next to my leg.
Adriana suddenly stops. “Lochlan.” She turns to look at me.
“Yeah?”
“When Riccardo got up, you were there before I even registered the threat.”
“It was instinct.”
“No,” she says. “It was training. You were watching him the whole time, weren't you? Waiting for him to make a move.”
I don't deny it.
“I watch everyone. Occupational hazard, like I said.” I lean back and kick my feet onto the ottoman. “But yeah. Him especially.”
“Good,” she says. “That’s really good.” When she leaves this time, it’s for real. The bedroom door closes a few seconds later.
I flip on the television and absently channel surf, my mind tripping back to the way she handled that warehouse meeting, how she was fire and steel in front of those men, how she never once flinched even when that dick Riccardo called her out.
She worried them, not because she was weak but because she didn’t crumble.
A smile plays at my lips. She's going to be something, this wife of mine.
And I'm going to be right there by her side when she brings the naysayers to their fucking knees.