Page 151 of Unchained

I scratch the back of my neck. “It was a small family ceremony, Alexei. Sorry.”

“Gianna. Pleasure to meet you,” she says, holding out her hand to him, diverting the attention perfectly.

Alexei looks at me for confirmation to touch my wife, and I nod.

“Do you know Frankie? He’s Italian too,” Alexei asks as he shakes her hand.

Of course, he assumes all Italians must know each other in America.

Gianna laughs. “Not personally. I’ve heard of him, though. He has quite the reputation.”

“Zara is scary as fuck,” Alexei blurts.

“Then me and her might get along,” Gianna replies.

That’s my girl.

I help Gianna into the back seat and slide in behind her, tucking my arm around her shoulder.

“Is he safe to be allowed in public?” Gianna whispers.

Alexei turns on the engine, and it roars to life. And then he’s off, my head flinging backward with the impact.

“I think they avoid any psychologists being within talking distance of him, G.”

She snickers under her breath. She hasn’t even heard the funniest bit yet.

“Hey, Alexei?” I shout.

He flicks his head up, his crazed eyes meeting mine in the rearview mirror.

“How’s Sheila?”

“Is that your wife?” Gianna asks.

Alexei erupts into laughter like a hyena. Gianna is going to love his response. “No, silly goose. Lara is my darling wife. Sheila is my flamingo, and her boyfriend is Bruce. They have a load of kids too, but I gave up naming them. Too many.”

Gianna turns to face me, her eyes almost popping out of their sockets. Gianna Sterling is speechless.

She leans in closer and says, “If he calls me a silly goose again, I can’t be held responsible for my actions, Colten.”

I press a kiss to her temple. “He doesn’t mean any offense.”

I’m not entirely sure I want to fight someone this batshit crazy either.

“Do you want some flamingos to take back to your ranch?” he cuts in.

“How much?” Gianna counters.

I press my hand on her thigh. “We do not want flamingos on our ranch.”

“If Jett gets an alligator, why can’t we have flamingos? We can make things more exotic. My sheep needs friends; it’s important.”

Running my hand over my face, I let out an exasperated sigh. “There is no fuckin’ way Gator is an alligator, G.”

“Jett has an alligator as a pet?” Alexei pipes up.

I’m about to open up the door and drop roll out of this 4x4.