“With Dad.” She rolls her eyes. “They’ll probably be drunk before the ceremony starts.”
Basil’s never been involved in the mafia, which in hindsight is a good thing. The family needs his laidback attitude to break the tension.
Knowing I can’t ignore Tess, I step to the side, and placing my hand on her lower back, I push her closer so the men can get a good look at her.
She’s actually the perfect bargaining chip to solidify bonds even more between the Priesthood and me.
“Theresa Drakatos,” I introduce her.
I watch the men closely, but they all have their poker faces on as they greet her.
As soon as the introductions are over, Tess tries to step back to extract herself from the group, and it has me slipping my arm around her to keep her in place. The server brings our drinks, and reaching for a tumbler, my body turns into Tess’. She fits perfectly against my side, the top of her head just shy of reaching my shoulder.
Her innocent scent dances seductively around me, making me aware of her as a woman and not just future family.
Athina’s striking up a conversation with Luca, and the other men discuss the socialites in attendance, avoiding talk of business in front of the women.
Leaning down, so I’m closer to Tess, I murmur, “You weren’t at lunch on Sunday.”
She leans away and tugs against my hold on her before flicking her eyes up to me. “I had a project I needed to complete. I explained it to my mom.”
My eyes take hers captive. “I expect the courtesy of a phone call if you can’t attend a lunch or event.”
“I wasn’t aware I had to report to you,” she replies with thinly veiled resentment.
Christ help me, this little girl is seriously looking for trouble.
I move my hand to her elbow, grip her in a tight hold, then drag her over the lawn, through the throng of guests, and into the house. Reaching the study, I shove her inside before shutting the door behind me.
My eyes find hers with barely controlled anger. I take in the way she’s gasping for air, her face pale with surprise and fear.
“Do you have a death wish, Theresa?” I bite out as I take a threatening step closer to her.
She quickly shakes her head. Her hair shines like satin, the strands brushing against her smooth skin. Then her tongue darts out, and she nervously wets her lips, drawing my attention to her mouth that’s been made to be wrapped around a cock.
The unwelcome thought has desire trickling into my veins, but needing to make myself clear, I slowly stalk closer, my muscles wound tight, my fingers itching to strangle her pretty little neck. I only stop when Tess is forced to tilt her head back so she can keep eye contact.
“This stops now,” I warn her, my tone low and dark as fuck. I will not tolerate her disrespectful behavior. “You will follow every fucking order I give you. You will never disrespect me again, or God help you, it will be the last thing you do.”
Her eyes tremble with fear, which isn’t something I witness a lot. It usually only happens right before I end some fucker’s life, and he’s grasping a dying breath where he’s lying in a puddle of his own piss and blood.
It’s only then I realize Tess is fucking terrified of me.
Yet, she still gives me attitude?
A frown settles on my forehead as I try to figure out the woman in front of me.
She’s scared but feisty. Stupid but brave.
A total contradiction.
And fuck if that doesn’t make me curious.
Chapter 5
Tess
I’m struggling to keep my breathing under control as my stomach bottoms out. My skin grows clammy, my body a trembling mess from Nikolas’ threat.
I can’t tear my eyes away from his.
Swallowing hard, I try to think of something to say. Something to do. But there’s only a buzz of fear for brain activity.
My breaths keep coming faster, a sure sign of the impending anxiety attack.
Which I can’t let him see.
“Understood,” I force the hoarse word over my dry lips to end this confrontation.
Nikolas slowly tilts his head to the side, his unwavering and dark gaze locked on my face. It’s unnerving, like facing off with a wolf that’s about to pounce and rip me to shreds.
Needing to defuse the bomb, I repeat, “I understand.”
“Do you really?” His voice is so low and deep, filled with immense danger, it sends a shiver down my spine. He lifts a hand between us, and I instinctively take a step back. Not missing a thing, his eyes sharpen even more on me before he adjusts his jacket. “I’m the head of the family, the head of the fucking mafia.”
Two things I’m well aware of.
Nikolas sweeps an intimidating gaze over me, my skin prickling with apprehension. “And you will obey every single command from me.”