Free Antony by Bethany-Kris Page B

wasn’t ever going to be possible.
    They were both Cosa Nostra born.
    Better to accept that shit and move the hell on.
    “Beautiful, but such a shame,” Lissa murmured, eyeing a particular painting on the wall.
    Cecelia had a taste for art and Antony didn’t mind feeding into his wife’s whims. She worked damn hard to finish school and between her job at the art gallery and her part-time career in home decorating, she was always busy.
    He was proud of her.
    “I beg your pardon?” Cecelia asked.
    Antony slipped his hand in beside his wife’s and squeezed. For the most part, Cecelia was the proper woman in all aspects. She had class, understood respect, and stood at his side like the formidable, unmoving cornerstone he needed. The woman standing across from Cecelia could learn a lot from Antony’s wife, as far as he was concerned.
    “Oh, I was just thinking …” Lissa trailing off, smiling in a way that seemed a bit too nasty for Antony’s liking.
    “What, Lissa?” Cecelia asked, annoyance coming through.
    Antony figured his wife had taken just about all she was going to from her friend .
    “I’m just trying to figure out if this is a step up or a step down for you, Cecelia. I mean, come on, you’re a Catrolli , hon. Did Daddy refuse to build you the house you wanted because you married down? I mean, I know you married into the Marcellos, but they’re certainly not Catrolli blood.”
    Married down?
    What in the honest fuck ?
    Antony couldn’t even speak he was so goddamn stunned.
    This woman had balls.
    Cecelia, on the other hand, barked out a laugh like he’d never heard before. She turned to her husband, standing up on her tiptoes to press a kiss to his quiet lips. “Antony, will you escort our guests out, please? I’m getting tired.”
    Antony could plainly see the hurt warring in his wife’s gaze and that only pissed him off something fierce. If there was one thing he couldn’t stand, it was Cecelia’s pain. That was just unacceptable and the person who caused it would surely regret doing it.
    “Sure, Tesoro .”
    “But—”
    Antony interrupted whatever Lissa was going to say with a wave of his hand. “Follow me.”
    He walked the couple to the front of the Marcello mansion, waiting patiently and quietly as the two gathered their belongings and put on their shoes. Before they could leave, he blocked the front door with his six-foot, three-inch frame, knowing damn well these two people had a good idea of exactly who he was and the kinds of things he was involved in.
    After all, if they knew the Catrolli family, then they knew the Marcellos, too.
    Antony figured it was time to let them in on just how filthy a Marcello could play.
    “Before you go, there’s a couple of things you should be aware of,” Antony said with a dry, bored tone.
    “Oh?” Lissa asked.
    “ Sì . Between Cecelia and me, trust that she is the nice one of us two. She’s the respectful one. She’ll turn her cheek and smile when you piss her off. I, however, will not.”
    “Excuse—”
    “Shut your mouth and listen,” Antony said calmly, smiling all the while. “We’ve certainly sat through enough of your nonsense tonight, so I believe it’s time for you to put up with some of mine. While she didn’t show it, you upset my wife earlier. That’s unacceptable to me and you should know that I cannot be held accountable for my actions regarding those who hurt Cecelia Marcello in any way.
    “When I built this home, I did so with the knowledge there had to be certain features added. For my business, you understand. I needed a few specific additives, like a basement so thick a person’s screams couldn’t be heard.”
    Antony didn’t blink at the fear draining the color from the woman’s face or the shocked silence taking over her husband. Turning, Antony opened his front door and stepped to the side, giving the two permission to leave his home. Quickly, the two scampered toward the freedom offered and the natural