Chapter 23

"Oh, a joke? If it's that funny then I might need to hear it as well. I mean, we all came out to have some fun, didn't we?" Marcello said, with a stoic face.

Leonardo shot a rash look at Mariana before saying, "You don't have to know about it."

"Good." He returned. "I want to dance with my wife." He manoeuvred himself between them and pulled Leonardo off her with a little more force than necessary. Leonardo frowned.

"Go make some other woman laugh but not my wife."

"Have a pleasant night," Leonardo finally said, smiling, then turned to walk away—a scowl replacing the smile on his face.

"What were you two talking about?" Marcello asked.

"Don't worry, Marcello. You don't need to know about it." Mariana snarled at him as she felt his warm palm gliding on her waist and then resting firmly on her back.

Marcello gritted his teeth and tightened his hold on her until she gasped.

"Is that so?" He guided her across the dance floor. "I don't want to see you anywhere near Leonardo."

"You sound j