When Adam Zhang made it over to our side of the arena while I was deep in conversation with one of the Nigerians we sold arms to, Ginevra waylaid him, introducing herself and charming him until I could join them.
“Your wife is a delight,” Adam said, smiling at her. “Ginevra was very courteous, distracting me until you finished with Unigwe. She mentioned you and her father are looking for investors in a real estate project.”
I underestimated her at my peril. She handled Laila and Adam like she was born to this life. No, Sofia might have been able to tread water in these shark infested waters, but Ginevra? Ginevra was a shark herself.
26
GINEVRA
Sergio Accardi fought next. Liam had disappeared. And I was shaking with anger.
Rian took my hand in his. “Trust him, princess.” Easy to say, hard to do. Doubts rushed through me. Would it look like I was condoning Sergio’s behavior if I sat here and clapped through his fight? Would he think the Russos approved, that we thought him a fit partner for my sister?
When the arena roared with approval, I looked up. Liam was striding out of the corner entrance shirtless, in loose shorts, his hands and wrists wrapped in white tape. He raised his arms above his head, fists clenched, and the arena roared with approval.
I ran my eyes over his bare chest, roaming them over the chiseled lines of his muscles, the tattoos that covered every inch of his pale freckled skin. When he caught my eyes as he strolled to the ring, I couldn’t breathe, the emotion welling up in me was so strong, so overwhelming.
Cormac took Liam’s seat and threw his arm over the back of my shoulders, pulling me into his side. Rian scooted closer to me, pressing his thigh into mine, stroking his thumb over my fingers as I sat dumbfounded. Their touch grounded me as Liam ducked under the ropes.
Liam was going to fight Sergio. I didn’t doubt for a moment who would win.
Sergio’s face was blank as they shook hands. He was deeply tanned, his black curly hair cut short. Like Liam, he was covered in tattoos. I could see why Sofia had given him a second glance. He was handsome. Too bad he was also stupid. Once Papà settled his debts to the Russians, he’d turn his focus to getting his second daughter settled. Luca too, probably.
The bell rang, and Sergio and Liam danced toward one another. I couldn’t keep my eyes off the ripple of Liam’s muscles as he slammed his fists into Sergio’s side. Sergio responded with a fist to Liam’s face. Liam’s head jerked back, a cut blooming on his cheek.
I gasped, my fingers lifting to my mouth to cover the sound. Rian squeezed my other hand.
I needn’t have worried. The two fighters danced around each other for a few more moments, before Liam delivered a flurry of kicks and punches, too quick for me to follow, and too quick for Sergio to avoid.
Liam swept Sergio off his feet, then held him to the mat, whispering in his ear. Sergio’s face blanched, then he nodded. I’d have given my arm to hear what my lover was saying to my sister’s baby daddy.Welcome to the family, asshole.I grinned vindictively and shot to my feet with the rest of the crowd when Liam was declared the winner.
Rian pushed me forward until I leaned against the ropes. Liam pulled me in for a deep kiss, to the roaring approval of the arena. When we pulled away from each other, he held me tight, leaning his forehead against mine as we caught our breath.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
“Anything you need, Ginevra,” he promised. “I’m yours just as much as you’re mine.”
Liam didn’t botherto put a shirt on under the silk robe he wore after the fight. His staff took down the ring and set up a bar, turning the base of the arena into an impromptu club where the rich and violent of Yorkfield could mix and mingle after the excitement of the fights.
With his arm around me, he introduced me to Giovanni Costa, whose fighter he’d so soundly beaten minutes before. The patriarch of the Costa family was older than my father, but no less dangerous. He ruled his family, and his territory, with an iron fist.
“It’s a pleasure,” Costa said, exchanging air kisses with me before turning to Liam. “I didn’t expect you to step into the ring tonight, Liam.”
Liam grinned. “The Russos’ grudges are my grudges, Gio.”
The patriarch nodded. “I heard marriage was in the works, but didn’t realize it had already happened—I never received an invitation.”
My answering smile was full of teeth. “We’ll hold a commitment ceremony in a few weeks, but the contracts are already signed.”
Costa’s gaze sharpened. “The rumors are true, then. Your father sold you to three men, instead of just one.”
I faltered, just for a moment, as I struggled not to internalize his judgment. Diving into a sexual relationship with three men didn’t make me a whore. When Liam’s fingers tightened around my waist, I knew I had to respond before he made a scene.
“Gio, it’s the twenty-first century, and I’ve spent the last decade in Hollywood. Do you intend to imply there’s something wrong with a poly relationship?”
His eyes narrowed. The public challenge to his prejudices was deliberate. I had a hard road to walk, much harder than my men, and the mob wasn’t known for their forward thinking when it came to their women.
Gio’s smile was sharklike. “It makes you a whore for your family, my dear.”