Chapter 126

[MIA]

My little bubble of newlywed bliss popped the next day when it was time to return to Alex’s house. I wished I could stay at the Ritz forever! There was good food, good wine, and an unlimited supply of Alex and his attention—a rare commodity.

“You need to meet the Pakhan,” Alex said after lunch the next day, pulling me onto his lap moments before we had to leave.

“Do I have to?” I whined.

He gave me an obvious look. “You’re my wife. Of course you need to meet him.”

“But…he’s the boss! The Mafia boss.”

“He’s also my uncle, Mia,” Alex countered. “He wouldn’t take what I’ve done lightly if it were anyone else, but I’m hoping he’ll be more forgiving because I’m his favorite nephew.”

My eyes widened. “So, you mean he could punish you?”

Why was Alex treating this like it wasn’t a big deal?

“Didn’t you hear the part about ‘favorite nephew’?” Alex rolled his eyes.

“I’m sure it’s Ronan,” I teased.

“Really?” His eyes laughed, even though his lips remained flat.

I put my hands around his neck. “Mm.”

“And who’s your favorite, wife?”

My heart leaped, and I returned his smile. “Your brother is pretty fun…” I bit my lower lip, enjoying the way his gaze playfully hardened. “But you’re my favorite. You see, I’m kind of biased because of the ring I wear.”

“Good thing you changed your answer, otherwise I was going to f**k you until you screamed I’m your favorite.”

Even though desire flooded me at the mere mention of that, my body literally couldn’t take more. “I’m so sore!”

He looked smug. “You’re my wife. I’m going to f**k you like that every night.”

I playfully hit his bicep. I had promised myself that all the anger I felt toward him was a fight for another day, but I kind of liked this. My heart felt warm and fuzzy every time he called me his wife, as if this marriage really mattered to him.

As if I mattered to him.

I held Alex close every second until we reached his uncle’s house.

Damien King lived in a mansion larger than Alex’s, with triple the security and more scary-looking men than I could imagine. I clung to Alex’s bicep as we entered. When I looked at the tall man with black hair, black eyes, broad shoulders, and a rugged yet refined appearance, I knew he had chosen a last name fitting of his aura.

The room we were led to was a huge conference room, and we weren’t the only ones there. A tall, blond, sophisticated girl sat beside a man I recognized—Xander.

“We’re honored you blessed us with your presence, Alex,” the Pakhan said, his mouth twisting into a sarcastic frown.

Xander smirked. “Hello, doll,” he greeted me before turning to my husband. “Isn’t this the prostitute from the other night?”

“Another word about my wife from your mouth, and Hannah will be a widow before tonight.” Alex’s voice was calm, collected, smooth.

I froze. Hannah. The blond girl beside Xander was Hannah. The gorgeous girl who looked like she wanted to murder Xander was Hannah. Alex’s ex-fiancée, Hannah.

“You got married,” Damien stated. He didn’t ask; he said it as a fact.

“I did.”

“You insulted Hannah’s family by leaving her at the altar, and then proceeded to marry a girl we know nothing about.”

Altar. He left Hannah at the altar? I don’t think I could have concealed my shock even if I’d wanted to. There was an altar. There was an altar.

“Now you do. She’s my wife,” Alex answered with the same calm demeanor.

“What is the meaning of this, Alex?” Damien’s eyes spat fire, and I squirmed under their scrutiny. I didn’t touch Alex, despite the urge, because he’d asked me not to in front of Damien. “Do your parents know?”

Alex shook his head.

My heart pounded. Sofia had been so kind to me, and Gabriel welcoming. Even Ronan and Aurora had been, and now I had married Alex, and they didn’t even know. I wished they did.

Damien’s lips twitched. “Let’s talk. Everyone else, out.”

Xander got up, followed by Hannah, who looked at me for the first time since I entered the room. I suddenly felt the strange urge to have dressed up more. She was beautiful, all prim and…