Chapter 28
Chapter Twenty-Eight
“Who is that finery you’re hiding away in this house?” Faith whispers to me as I lead her to the living room my parents use the most.
“Who?” I ask her.
“The man who was standing next to your husband,” she says. “Okay, that’s going to take a bit to get used to saying.”
“I know, but I do love hearing it. And that is Elias, CJ’s cousin, and not someone you want to go near. Take my word for it, Faith. Your father—shit, your mother and your grandfather would all have a coronary,” I tell her.
Faith is cousins with Zara, Ares’s girlfriend.
They’re both heiresses to one of Australia’s wealthiest families.
But Faith’s grandfather? Who is also Zara’s father’s uncle…
I know. Complicated family to keep track of.
Anyway, he’s a psychopath. I hear he feeds his enemies to his pigs, and they’re not always dead when he does.
Then again, I’ve heard the same rumors about Zara’s dad and my cousin is still alive. So maybe they are just rumors.
“Nah, my daddy would never believe I’d date anyone.” Faith laughs. She has done a weirdly good job of keeping her dating life out of the public and her family’s eyes.
“Faith, I’m serious. You do not want to go there. Tell her, CJ.” I turn and give my husband a look, letting him know he is supposed to agree with me.
“Tell her what?” he asks.
“That Elias is not someone she wants to touch.”
CJ chuckles. “Good luck getting him to let you touch him. That man doesn’t let people touch him.”
“That’s not what I meant. Just tell her she should steer clear of him,” I groan. Sometimes even the smartest of people can be so dense.
“Yeah, you should definitely stay clear of him,” CJ finally agrees.
“Okay, I won’t touch the hot, moody man.” Faith holds her hands in the air. “But you! I do want to hear all about the man you’ve been touching.” She links her arm with mine.
“I’m right here,” CJ says.
“And?” Faith asks him. “If you don’t want to hear about your performance or lack thereof in the sack, I suggest you go find somewhere else to be. Because Daniella and I have a lot of catching up to do.”
Faith is nothing if not forward. She’s never afraid to say what she thinks, or tell other people what they should be doing. She has confidence in spades. I think it’s an only-child thing. She’s grown up with both of her parents doting on every little thing she does or says.
“I’m not afraid to hear about my performance, and I’m pretty sure Daniella doesn’t have any complaints,” CJ announces confidently.
“No complaints.” I smile, then turn to Faith. “And I’m not telling you about my sex life with my husband.”
“Why not? You always tell me about your sex life.” Faith pouts.
“Really? I’d be interested to know about this sex life of yours, Daniella,” CJ says.
“Sure, we can compare notes later. You tell me yours, I’ll tell you mine.” I smirk, knowing damn well that conversation is never happening.
“Sure, can’t wait. I’m going to go out back. You gonna be okay here?” he asks me.
“Nothing is going to happen to me in this house, CJ. I’m fine,” I assure him.
His lips press to the center of my forehead. “Come find me when you’re done telling your friend how great your sex life is now.”
Reaching underneath the cabinet, I find the hidden key. I then place it in the door, open it, and pull out a bottle of my dad’s really good Cinque.
“Now we’re talking!” Faith exclaims in excitement.
“What have I missed?” I do feel shitty for not keeping in touch the last week I’ve been in Vegas.
“Absolutely nothing. Life is plenty boring around here,” she says, flopping down onto the sofa.
“Surely, it’s not that bad.”
“Well, I didn’t go to Vegas and get hitched in a dingy wedding chapel.” She laughs. “Now, tell me… How did we forgive CJ?”
“We never hated him, remember? It was my choice to leave him last time. Not his.”
“Okay, well, we hated him because he didn’t chase your ass down. But how did we go from that to this?” She points at the rock on my finger.
“Okay, Cliff’s Notes version? He jumped in front of a bullet for me. We had sex in his parents pool. We talked and we got married.”
“Okay, sure, I can see how sex in a pool leads to marriage.” Faith nods. “Are you happy? That’s the important thing here.”
“I’m really happy,” I tell her. “I’m scared, but I’m the happiest I’ve ever been when I’m with him.”
“What are you afraid of?”
“That he will wake up one day and realize I’m not enough.”
“Pfft, I saw the way that man looks at you as if you hung the damn moon. He’s not going anywhere.”
“I hope so.”
“I know so.” Faith takes the glass I offer her. “Okay, I’m throwing you a hen’s, engagement, and wedding reception party all in one.”
“I don’t need a party, Faith,” I tell her.
“I could use one. Where is this party at?”
I turn to find Aiden walking into the room. He sits on the sofa across from us.
“My club, tonight,” Faith says. “And you are?”
“Aiden Bianchi. You are obviously Faith. I’ve heard a lot about you,” Aiden says.
“Really? From who?” I ask him.
“Well, not in words, but facial expressions say a lot sometimes. Anyway, I had to come and see what all the fuss was about. I get it.” Aiden winks at Faith.
“Aiden, do not hit on my friends,” I groan.
“Oh, trust me, sis. I am not hitting on this one.” Aiden laughs.
“Why not? What’s wrong with me?” Faith asks, sounding offended.
“Some things are worth dying for, sweetheart. A night in the sack with a hot woman isn’t one of those things. Sorry.” Aiden looks from Faith to me. “Tell me more about this party and exactly how we’re going to let your old, ball-and-chain of a husband actually let you go to it?”
“Excuse me?” I blink at Aiden.
“Come on, Daniella. We both know there is no way CJ is letting you out of this house,” Aiden continues.
“First, I don’t need permission to leave this house and I certainly do not need permission to go to a party.
Faith, give me ten minutes. I’ll be dressed and ready to dance.
And I’m bringing Rosie. She could use a night out too,” I tell my friend.
I then look to Aiden again. “As for your brother, he can either come with us, or not. I don’t really care either way. ” I shrug.
It’s a lie. I really do want CJ to come, but I’m not asking anyone for permission to do something or go somewhere. I get that some crazed cartel prince has it in for me, but he’s not even in this country.
Before I head upstairs to change, I find CJ on the back deck with Aurelio and Elias. “I’m going out. Faith is throwing me a party at her family’s nightclub. You can either come with me or not,” I tell him.
CJ laughs, actually laughs. “You’re not leaving this house, Daniella.”
I tilt my head. “I guess that’s a you’re not coming. Well, have a great night.” I turn and slam the door on my way back inside.
It takes less than thirty seconds for my husband to be right behind me. “Daniella, think about this. It’s not safe for you to be out right now,” he says.
“It’s perfectly safe. That guy isn’t even in this country.”
“We don’t know that. We can’t take chances. Please… I’m begging you to just stay here. You want to have a party? I’ll throw you one right here. In this house.”
“That’s not the same.” I sigh. “Seriously, you’re overreacting. It’s not a big deal. Nothing is going to happen.”
“Daniella, please. I get that I can’t stop you.
Other than by physically chaining you to a fucking bed, which I’m prepared to do.
But I’d really prefer to save that for the honeymoon.
Just stay here. It’s only for a couple of days.
Everything will blow over and then we can go out to your heart’s content. ”
CJ is actually pleading with me, which makes me feel a little guilty for being so bratty.
“Okay,” I concede. “I won’t go out tonight.”
“Thank you.” He sighs.
Jesus, I think I almost gave the man a heart attack.