A love like ours ✔️

♚25.Tangos and arguments

Rafael

Star looks like the incarnation of Aphrodite in that dress of hers. When I arrived here and I've seen her, all I could think about was what a lucky bastard I am. But then I've noticed the way almost every man in the room lusts over her. What I wanted to do was stay by her side all night and show them she's solely mine. Mine to love. Mine to fuck. Mine to look at.

However, duty called, so I'm having a conversation with Andrei Sokolov instead of spending time with my fianceé.

"As I said before, Russo, there are no hard feelings for Soraya chosing to marry you. It was never granted that her mafia will merge with my uncle's bratva. Besides, there was never anything romantic between us. I have to admit I would have tried my damn best to sway her my way."

"So I can count on Volkov's support, no?"

"What I meant is that I'm the one who's not holding it against you. My uncle is a whole different story. He was actually ready to send Vladimir over here to court her too, even if he wasn't on her list."

While Andrei deals with the American branch of his uncle's business, the pakhan's son, Vlad, barely comes to the States. I guess Ray wouldn't have been all to thrilled to have to move to Russia so maybe that's why he wasn't an option. I adjust my tie that seems to have gotten tighter. Thinking about her marrying someone else makes makes me furious. It doesn't matter it's only in theory. She might be the spitfire in our relationship but at times like these my temper definitely matches hers.

"He surely doesn't want to lose his alliance with both the Morellis and the Russos." I offer.

"No, but he's a practical man." That means he's asking himself what would cost him more, a war or our support. "Tanakas is here. I didn't think he'll show up. He must not be aware of the engagement then." Andrei notices, changing the subject.

I frown, looking in the same direction as him and I see Yoshiro leading Ray towards the dancing floor. "Why would that be a reason for him not to come?"

"You don't know?" When I don't answer he continues. "Him and Soraya were in a long term relationship, a year or so. I've heard he proposed to her but she turned him down. I was actually surprised she didn't pick him for the arrangement, given their history."

I focus on the way Tanakas acts towards Ray as they start swaying. There's a soft expression on his face, a certain light. No, that can't be. We've known each other ever since we were teens and we crossed paths quite often since we are part of the same social circles. Even back then I knew he was attracted to her, she's always been beautiful, but not even once have I seen him watching her this way. It's clear as day, he's in love with her. When I've told her the truth she's reavealed to me that she thinks she'd already found a partner who meets her needs. At the time I thought she was talking about Apolo, and after she told me he's not into women I dismissed it as an attempt to throw me off balance and make me give up on trying to get us back together.

My blood is boiling. She lied to me. Granted, it was a lie by omission, but still. And now she's dancing with him, seemingly having a deep conversation. I excuse myself from Andrei's presence and head towards them. Tanakas caresses her face and I'm now close enough that I hear him asking her to chose him because maybe one day she'll love him back. It takes all the self control I'm capable of not to shoot him right between his eyes on the spot.

"Tanakas, remove your hands from my fianceé before I cut them off!" I spit out.

He seems shocked by the news that she's engaged to me. He goes on and on about what a terible mistake this whole thing is, about how I broke her heart and I do not deserve her. And damn him for being right but that's between the two of us, I'm trying my damn best to make up for my sins. Somehow, I manage to reign in my fury and eventually he leaves, promising that they'll continue their conversation later. Like hell!