DAVIE

I KISSED MY AUNT ON THE CHEEK BEFORE CLOSING THE CAR door behind her and watching as her driver turned out of the driveway. I'd wanted her to spend the night, but she wanted to visit her old friend while she was in Italy. She also emphasized her desire to respect the privacy of the newlyweds.

The paradox of that statement struck me. Truthfully, Olivia and I had a better rapport when my aunt was present, even if it was merely for appearances.

Returning inside, I sought Olivia. Despite any reservations I harbored, she had successfully convinced my aunt of the authenticity of our relationship, for which I felt indebted. I pondered what, or how greatly, I might have to sacrifice to repay her kindness.

Discovering her in the kitchen assisting Victoria with clearing the dishes from our belated lunch, I observed them sharing laughter that abruptly ceased upon my arrival. I couldn't help but speculate on the cause of their mirth.

Perhaps stories from my reckless past as recounted by my aunt? Victoria had been part of our household for as long as I could recall, so such tales held no novelty for her. Yet, witnessing Olivia's evident amusement at my aunt's stories intrigued me.

I'll just go and tend to the other chores, Victoria said and excused herself, leaving Olivia and me alone.

I walked towards her, and she looked up at me with those huge green olive eyes of hers.

Thank you for today, I appreciate, I said quietly.

'Excuse me ?' she said, raising her eyebrows in an exaggerated fashion.

I frowned at her. Could she not make anything easy? She was getting much bolder around me, and I couldn't work out whether that was a good or a bad thing. You heard me clearly, I growled. 'You have my aunt fooled anyway. She loves you.'

'Well, I'm actually adorable,' she said with a grin. 'Your aunt obviously has superb taste.'

I snorted and stuffed my hands in my pockets.

Olivia raised her head and looked at me for a few seconds before she spoke again. 'Well, she is lovely and nice,' she finally said. 'I really liked her being here. It's a shame she had to leave so soon.' Then she turned to look out of the window, and I thought I saw something in her eyes, but she blinked them away.

'Are you okay?' I asked.

'Yes,' she smiled as she looked at me quickly. 'Being with your aunt today just reminded me how lonely and odd I am here,' she said softly. Then she shrugged and turned back to the sink to wash her hands.

I stood watching her and felt something for her that I couldn't quite work out.

A pang of guilt, perhaps?

Despite my general apathy towards her, she had made my aunt a pleased woman today. It was easy to forget that she had given up her whole life to move here.

'Well, what would it take to make you feel less lonely?' I asked her.

She turned to face me. 'I don't know. Friends?' she said with a shrug. But I'm not that great at making them. "What do the women in this vicinity typically do if they're not employed?" she inquired.

I rubbed my hand over my chin, pondering. "I'm not entirely sure."

And what about the spouses of your acquaintances? She pressed.

I furrowed my brow. I didn't have many associates, and those I know don't have spouses. However, I was well aware of the activities of affluent women in the area. They indulged in lavish lunches, spent their husbands' wealth, and occasionally organized charity events and other activities to justify their extravagance. It seemed like the ideal pursuit for her.

"There's a clique of wives who oversee a charity committee. They convene a few times a week," I suggested.

Her eyes gleamed with approval, confirming my suspicion. "That sounds perfect. Can I simply attend, or is an introduction necessary?"

"Eve Humphrey heads the committee. I'll speak with her and inform her of your intention to join… when would you prefer?" I inquired.

"Tomorrow?" she proposed eagerly.

I nodded. "Tomorrow it is."

"Excellent. Thank you," she replied, smiling.

"You'll need to bring Pete with you," I instructed, and her smile faltered, morphing into a scowl.

What? I snapped.

Pete despises me, she pouted.

Pete despises everyone.

Couldn't I go alone, please? She pleaded.

No, I retorted sharply, perhaps harsher than intended.

This isn't the city. You can't wander freely here, especially now that you're my spouse, Olivia, I explained.

She bit her lip and nodded. "But Pete, really? Isn't there another option? Don't you have female security personnel?"

No, I replied firmly. "In case of danger, a man provides superior strength, speed, and protection."

That's crazy!she protested.

'That's logic, Olivia.'

She glared at me, and I knew she was biting back a retort. I could see the skin on her chest and neck turning red as she struggled to keep a lid on her temper.

I tried not to chuckle. She was sexy when she was angry.

I expected an epic burst of tantrum to follow – wasn't that what all spoiled little princesses did when they couldn't get their own way? But, instead, she took a deep breath and leaned back against the chair.

Alright, she said softly. 'If it has to be Pete, then so be it.'

I frowned at her. That had been far too easy. I could hardly blame her for not wanting to spend too much time in Pete's company. He was a miserable bastard on his best days, but he was good at his job, and that was why he was assigned to her.

'How about I pick a few of my best men and send them over here tomorrow, and you can interview them yourself?' I offered. 'Then you can choose your own personal bodyguard.'

She looked up at me again, her eyes shining. 'Yes. But, you won't choose a load of Pete, will you?'

I laughed. 'No,' I said with a shake of my head.

'Then that sounds terrific. Thank you, Davie,' she smiled like a cute rabbit and the look on her face went through my whole body and headed straight to my cock.

She seemed so fucking grateful and happy for such a small gesture. Was she just fucking with me, right?

For some reason, the memory of our kiss earlier and the feeling of her soft skin, the smell of her shampoo and perfume forced themselves into the forefront of my mind.

I walked over to her until we were standing just a few inches apart. She looked up at me, her breathing trembling and shallow as her eyes searched my face. I contemplated lifting her onto the kitchen counter and seeing what her lips would taste like on mine if just her forehead felt so good, when Victoria walked back into the room.

Olivia looked at my housekeeper in surprise and a blush, making me wonder whether just what had been going through her mind, and whether it was anything like the unexpected thoughts that were running through mine.

I shook my head and omitted I breathe I didn't know I was holding to clear it. It was probably better that I didn't know.

'I'll send the candidates here tomorrow at ten am,' I said, and then I walked out of the kitchen with the twitch in my cock turning into a raging hard on.

I put my sunglasses on, shielding my eyes from the glare of the sun, as I leaned back against the soft leather seat of my car while my driver took us to my hotel. I brushed the pad of my thumb against the platinum band on my finger. It still felt entirely foreign to me, and I wondered if I would ever get used to it.

How the fuck had I ended up married?

I frowned as I stared out of the window and thought about how three months earlier, my father had presented me with a proposal, and because I respected him, and I knew that it was good for business, I'd agreed.

The Montanelli Corporation was a huge national organization, and we had plenty of legitimate businesses, but we had made our money in the illegitimate kind.

My father was keen to clean the up the family name and add some semblance of legitimacy to the Montanelli brand. He was the son of Immigrant drug baron parents who had come to this point from the scratch in the 1950s, and I knew that despite All of his success, he could never quite shake that feeling that my mom departed from this world because of his need to become stronger.

His grand plan for me, his only son and heir, was to marry into a wealthy and powerful, political family, and ensure that our family became undisputed US royalty and our empire branched out for more power. He had chosen three potential candidates, all of whom had fathers with enough ambition or plain old greed, to be willing to marry their daughters off to further their careers.

Two of the women he'd selected were even up for the deal, but Olivia Varda had needed to be persuaded, and that was part of the reason I'd chosen her it intrigued me.

The other reason was that she was a spoiled New York brat who I knew I could never even like, let alone ignite love. But, I'd thought that I would certainly enjoy taming her.

'You okay, bro?' Romeo asked me as he sat back in the seat next to me, chewing on his nicotine gum to remove the alcohol off his breath.

'I'll be better once I've had a drink,' I replied with a sigh.

We had picked him up on the way to the hotel. I figured that maybe a night of drinking with my best buddy was undoubtedly what I needed.

Romeo and I had met in a wrestling match at the age of fourteen and had been inseparable ever since. I trusted him with my life. He was also one of the few people who knew the truth about my marriage to Olivia. Even my aunt didn't know, and she had been heartbroken when she'd discovered she had missed her only nephew's wedding. I'd felt guilty for lying to her, but seeing how happy she had been today had eased my conscience.

Despite being a spoiled little princess, Olivia had come through for me today.