Page 25

“Thanks,” I grunt. “You too.”

I take her hand, and we walk back down the aisle, through the doors. The second the sunlight hits my face, I pull out my emergency packet of cigarettes. I take one and offer her the packet.

“None of these are laced with poison?” she asks.

“Nah. But that’s a good idea; I’ll store that for later.”

She grins, taking one. I light hers, then my own, resting against the stone wall.

“What now?” she asks after she exhales.

I take a drag, studying her. Trying to work out her true motive. I have a few thoughts. Potentially, she could be trying to knock us out of Enzo’s organization and take it for herself. But I don’t believe she’s dumb enough to try. Her father, on the other hand, possibly.

I personally am edging toward the theory that she’s here to prove her worth, to try and prove to Enzo and Romeo she’s worthy of running LA. I’m a pawn in her game.

I’ll find out in time which answer is right, but knowing Gianna, it’s probably a third option no one has considered until it’s too late.

“Well, I already had a house built for us. I thought we could start trying for a baby tomorrow? I mean, tonight if you want? Ideally, I’d like you knocked up before the week is over. I’m thinking four kids, total? We need more hands on the ranch eventually. You can quit your job. Stay-at-home mom would suit you. I like steak for when I’m done with my day. Then a blow job.”

She nods along.

“If you’re lucky, I’ll give you one orgasm a week. But I’ll probably be busy elsewhere most of the time,” I say, ready to gauge her reaction.

Nope. Nothing.

“And then, we live happily ever after until one of us dies. I’m assuming I’ll go first, but the amount you smoke? Might be you.”

She takes another drag on her cigarette. “Are you finished? Or is there more to this wonderful romance novel you’ve got brewing, Colten?”

I rub at my stubble. “I think that’s it. Sound good?”

“Yes. Wonderful. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you, sweetie.”

My nose scrunches up. “Don’t call me that.”

“Okay, Polpetta,” she says sweetly, yet it’s still laced with venom.

I have no clue what that translates to; I'm not sure I want to know either.

I push myself upright, towering over her.

“Why don’t you tell me how you think this marriage is going to end up?” I ask, my voice low.

She clears her throat. “I guess we have to wait and see what the universe has planned for us.”

I nod. “Okay, darlin’. How about you stay the fuck out of my way from here on out.”

She takes a step back. And another. “Two steps ahead of you, dickhead.” She winks as the doors open. Her brother is then behind her, her father and family behind him. She blows me a kiss. “See you later, husband.”

I laugh; I can’t help myself. This entire situation is ridiculous, and she almost seems pleased with herself about all of it.

“Aren’t you forgetting our wedding reception, wife?”

She tilts her head, taking her lips between her teeth. “Don’t you want to see my party dress?”

I clear my throat. “No. Not really,” I say flatly, trying to hide any emotion from her. I know as soon as I show her anything, she will use it against me. This woman is calculated. Way more so than I am.

But my God, I’ll sit and watch her try on any outfit she wants to for me.