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I gave her the option to pull out, but only once. Just at the beginning. Then it was me who was pulling out, but only to switch positions. If last night was all I was going to get, I was determined to live out every fantasy I’d had of us together since I had her on my bike and brought her home to meet my cats.

When I finally let my lips slip from hers, I watch as her eyes flutter open in wonderment.

“What was that for?”

“Because I could and I wanted to. I also doubt you would let me get away with it once we’re around others.”

“Cole,” she says, her eyebrows knitting together in concern.

I put on a smile. “It’s okay. I get it. Just know I’m on your side in this. No matter your play, I’ll back it. Yeah?” I bring her hand up to my lips and kiss it before lacing my fingers with hers once more.

She nods, and we continue walking. I might not be able to kiss her like I want to show my claim, but a handhold is expected for a “married” couple. And while I might be the only one in the house who fully believes it, I’ll continue to act in a way that lets me get away with everything related to our coupling.

“Oh, Mrs. Natalie, Mr. Atom, you’re expected in the front hall.” Keiko bows in greeting as she rounds the corner and sees us coming toward her.

“Of course,” Natalie says with a nod. My stomach grumbles loudly, and while I don’t look at Sunshine, I know she’s smiling. “And can you bring in some food for us?”

“Of course,” Keiko says with another deep bow before leaving the way she came.

“What’s with all the bowing?” I ask.

“Sign of respect.”

“You going to ask me to bow to you?”

“Thought I already did last night.” She looks up with a saucy grin that stops my heart for a second. I’ve never seen her this carefree before, and I almost want to kidnap her from what’s coming. But she’s already dealt with plenty of those in her life, and I doubt she’d appreciate me doing it, even if it’s to keep that look on her face.

We hear people talking before we enter, and when we do, everyone stands.

“Good to see you again, Natalie,” Vinny Leone says as he steps closer to Sunshine and offers her his hand first, then me.

While I’m happy that the Hounds could get me the backup I wanted, I was hoping for any of the other brothers. You know, one who’s married or at least claimed. Not the head of the East Coast Mafia himself. His second brother, or even the third, would have been sufficient.

But I guess—though I won’t admit it out loud—Vinny being here is the best option. He has the most weight to the name. Even if it’s widely known that he runs the Leone famiglia with all three of his brothers, he’s the one with the ultimate word.

And with how fucked up things are going for Natalie, having the big guy on our side in a room full of witnesses is good.

There are about as many people in this room as we had at dinner last night. While most are of Japanese descent, the Leones’ dark hair and distinct European features are notable.

“As it is to see you.” Natalie gives him a smile that doesn’t reach her eyes, and I know Vinny can tell, making him smile even wider. He’s probably happy to know he was right in saying he knew who she was the last time they saw each other.

“You remember my husband?” she asks.

I cough to hide the fact that I almost choke on my tongue. I wasn’t expecting her to show our hand to him. At least not so soon and in the open like this.

Vinny nods. “Of course.”

Before he can say more, Hiroshi interrupts us. “You two know each other?”

With one slow turn and look, Vinny shows why he’s the head of his family and Hiroshi will never be.

“Yes.” He pauses, openly looking over Nat’s father, and I fight a grin. For once, I hold it in because I don’t want to take away from Vinny making the man almost pee his pants. “She was an honored guest at my sister’s wedding.”

Honored? Sure, that sounds better than “forced to attend.”

“Speaking of which.” Vinny turns his back on Hiroshi, ending the conversation and showing his opinion of the man: not worth his time. “I wish to personally invite both of you to my wedding.”

“Oh?” Natalie says and looks at me, unequipped to play these types of games. She wasn’t taught how to do it like we train the boys.