His Stolen Bride - MINK Page 0,22

with the idea of my dead husband having mistresses. But after the night I’d spent with Santino, sex feels so personal. The idea of mistresses no longer sits well with me. I don’t know if it’s the sex that changed my mind or the feelings I’m starting to have for my new husband. Ones that I’ll continue to deny to him.

“No.” Appolonia shakes her head. “My Cato is a good man. He trusts Santino, calls him his brother. They share the same values. You don’t have to take my word on this. You’ll see.”

“Mrs. Davinci.”

“Salvatore, how many times do I have to tell you to call me Appolonia?” she says to the man holding a small box.

“Sorry, Appolonia.” He hands the box to her.

“Thank you.” She sets it down on the counter. “I brought you a wedding gift.” The box moves, making Gianna gasps and almost jumps out of her set. Appolonia lifts the loose lid on top, and a little orange ball of fur with faint stripes pokes its head out.

“Oh my gosh.” I reach into the box and pick the little baby up. I hug it to me.

“Santino loves kittens. No one can clean a litter box better than him. I thought it would be a perfect gift.”

It purrs in my hands. “Thank you, Appolonia. Not just for the kitten.” Some of her words have helped settle me. I have a feeling she came for that reason. Not to try and calm Santino’s new wife down for Cato, but to have a real heart-to-heart with me.

She smiles, her big eyes full of warmth. “Like I said, we’re sisters now.”

In less than 24 hours I feel more accepted by this family than I ever have from my own. It’s almost unsettling how quickly these people have felt like home to me. Something I’ll have to get a handle on in order to stick to my plan. I’m sure soon enough I’ll know if Appolonia really means what she says. If she really wants to be my sister or if she just wants to control me for the good of her family.

15

Santino

By the time we’re done talking business, it’s past lunch. Fernando and his crew leave, though he hesitates at the door.

“Where’s Gianna?”

“Lunch.” I shrug.

“We have business,” his second-in-command urges.

“Fine.” Fernando waves a hand at him. “We’re going.” He turns back to me. “Keep her safe. Keep her intact or there will be hell to pay.”

“Santino is married to her sister, and from what I’ve seen, smitten. No chance he’s touching Gianna.” Cato stands at my elbow.

“Keep the other wolves at bay.” He shoots a look at Lucenzo. “If she’s spoiled before I marry her off, I’ll rain hell on anyone who had a hand in it.”

“You sure you don’t need a snack before you go?” I ask.

Cato grunts, hiding a laugh.

Fernando narrows his eyes. “Remember what I said.” He and his men stomp out, the door slamming behind them.

“Asshole.” I run a hand through my hair. “Did you know Fernando was this huge of an asshole when you sent me over here to fuck up his life?”

“He’s an asshole.” Cato pats my arm. “You’re a bigger one. You did well in there.”

“I’m not letting some Carrera prick push us around.”

“I saw.” Cato walks with me toward the dining room. “Remember to watch that temper of yours.”

“I kept my temper.”

“No, you lost it when he went after your wife. The rest of the time, you were perfect. But when it comes to her—” He stops me and lowers his voice. “She’s more than just a prize, isn’t she? I can tell by the way you are. She’s the one for you.”

I could deny it, but why try? Cato can always see the truth in me. “Yes.” I crack my neck. The last 24 hours have been long as fuck. “She is. She tried to kill me straight away.”

“And that’s when you knew?” His lips twitch, a smile begging to be born. But Cato doesn’t truly smile for anyone except Apollonia.

“Perhaps when she threatened me, or maybe when she taunted me. Can’t be sure. But I know it now. I can feel it.”

He nods. “I know the sensation. Apollonia and I are forever, and nothing will ever break us apart. You know when you find your kindred. When you find your heart.”

“I didn’t see it coming.”

“We never do.” He leads me into the dining room.

Apollonia, Bella, and Gianna sit at the large, ornate table and eat while going over some drawings