King of Wrath (Kings of Sin #1) by Ana Huang

I swallowed a laugh at Isabella’s offended gasp.

Day had bled into night as the wedding festivities continued. The reception took place in the villa’s massive walled courtyard, beneath a canopy of flowers and twinkling lights.

The guests were still going strong after hours of drinks and dancing, but I’d needed a breather. Being the bride at a wedding reception was a full-time job. Everyone wanted to talk.

“Maturity slander aside,” Isabella said with a pointed stare at Sloane. “I’m glad you and Dante made it work. Now I can cross bridesmaid in Italy off my bucket list.”

“I’m glad I can make your dreams come true,” I said dryly.

“Me too. All that’s left is finding a hot Italian one-night stand to—” Isabella’s sentence broke off at the light cough behind me.

I turned and stifled another laugh when I saw Kai. He had the worst, or best, timing when it came to my talks with Isabella, depending on how you looked at it.

“I’m sorry to interrupt yet another…fascinating conversation.” His mouth twitched. “But Dante is getting restless without his bride. Vivian, you may want to check in on him. He’s had to tell the story of how he proposed ten times, and I think he’s ready to deck someone.”

I glanced at where Dante stood with a small group of guests, looking bored and irritated. He caught my eye and mouthed, help.

I bit back a smile. “I’ll be right back,” I said. “I need to save my husband.”

Sloane waved me off. “We’ll be fine. Enjoy your wedding night.”

“Congratulations again!” Isabella chirped, studiously avoiding Kai’s eye.

I left them to their conversation and wound my way through the courtyard. I only made it halfway before my mother stopped me.

“Vivian! Have you seen your sister?” she fretted. “She went to the restroom an hour ago but isn’t back yet.”

“No. Maybe she’s in there with Gunnar,” I joked.

“Vivian. Honestly.” Her hands flew to her necklace. “That’s not a joke to make in public.”

“I’m sure she’s fine, Mother. It’s a party. So party.” I handed her a glass of champagne from a nearby tray. “Louis Roederer. Your favorite.”

Our relationship had been getting better since our talk in Eldorra. It wasn’t perfect; like she said, she couldn’t change completely. Her micromanaging had driven me up the wall in the weeks leading up to the wedding, but she was trying. She hadn’t even argued when I asked the makeup artist for red lipstick instead of neutral, though my mother considered red lips and nails “unbecoming” for a society heiress.

My father, on the other hand, was as distant as ever. He’d left immediately after the ceremony; according to Agnes, he couldn’t stand all the whispers about why he wasn’t the one who gave me away.

No one outside our circle knew the reason behind our estrangement, and they never would. Some things were meant to be private.

I’d made peace with our strained relationship, and I barely gave him any thought as my mother accepted the champagne bribe.

“Fine,” she said. “I have to speak to Buffy Darlington anyway. But if you find your sister, tell her I have her phone. Honestly, I don’t know what she’s doing…”

I disengaged from my mother and made it to Dante just in time.

“So, tell me how you proposed,” the poor guest said, seemingly oblivious to the groom’s twitching eye. “I want to hear every detail.”

“Many apologies for interrupting.” I placed my hand on Dante’s chest before he could respond. “But can I steal him away? Wedding duties.”

“Oh, of course,” the woman said, flustered. “Congratulations again. You look beautiful.”

I smiled and steered Dante toward a quiet corner of the courtyard. “Thank you. Enjoy the rest of your evening.”

“Thank fuck,” Dante said when the woman was out of earshot. The ice cream cufflinks I bought for him in Paris glinted as he wiped a hand over his face, and the sight made me embarrassingly happy. “Now I know why people elope. The small talk at these things is insufferable.”

“Yes, but I’m sure you can find one thing you like about it.” I looped my arms around his neck.

The tension eased from his shoulders, and his frown loosened in a faint smile. “Maybe one.” His hand rested on my waist. The heat seared through my dress and into the pit of my stomach. “The lobster canapés are pretty good.”

“And?”

“And…” He pretended to think about it. “The flowers are impressive. Though for one hundred and twenty thousand dollars, they better well be.”

“What about the people?” I tilted my chin up. “Anyone tolerable?”

“Hmm. There is this woman I’ve been eyeing all night…” Dante dipped his head so his lips brushed mine. “She’s beautiful, charming, has the best smile I’ve ever seen…but I think she’s married.”

“How…unfortunate.” My breath snagged when his palm slid up my waist, lighting tiny fires along the way.

“Very.” Another brush of his lips. “I hear her husband is quite protective of her. If he sees me talking to her, he might do something rash.”