The second the Fourth steps through the foyer of the Di Angelo home, every nerve in Catalina's body goes ice cold.

Her mother sent her to welcome him, but she doubts her expression is anything but welcoming.

She tries to mask her anxiety with indifference as he regards her face with cold eyes. There's nothing friendly or charming anymore from when he'd acted as Kael Riaz.

Stupid, Catalina scolds herself internally.

The Fourth's eyes slowly go down to her chest, waist, and lingers on her bare legs. Then he makes his way back up to her face. "Catalina."

"Fourth," she greets politely, stepping aside to let him in. He does, and when she clasps her hands in front of her, they don't shake.

He fixes her hands with his cold stare and then meets her eyes again. "You're not wearing the ring."

Catalina almost cowers from the warning in his low voice. He's not pleased. "I use my hands quite a lot and they're usually in a person's body."

The Fourth narrows his eyes. "You're not in scrubs and you're not in the hospital."

The unsaid until I say so makes her snap.

Catalina grits her teeth. "I didn't want to think about the wedding. That I'm getting married to a—"

The word gets stuck in her throat.

"Murderer," the Fourth finishes lowly.

His eyes hold her with their intensity. She asks, "Isn't that what you are?"

"Yes," he says without hesitation.

Catalina whispers, "Why?"

"Because if I don't kill them first, they kill me. It's power. It's survival. It's what we do. Your family is no different."

He's right. It's why she ran away.

Still, what she says is, "I'm not marrying them. I'm marrying you."

His eyebrow raises. "And?"

And you can't kill me, but you can hurt me when you want. When you feel like it. You're going to use me for sex and you're going to beat me when I disobey and fight back. You're going to cheat on me every night, you're never going to let me work—

"Wear the ring. Now," he orders quietly when she doesn't answer, and a shiver runs down her spine.

Catalina sticks her hand inside the pocket of her dress and angrily grips it.

The Fourth watches her impatiently, and Catalina stares back at him while she slides the ring on. It feels heavy on her finger.

Catalina wants to go inside now, she doesn't want to be alone with him any longer. "Anything else?"

"My wife should be calling me by my name."

She stiffens. "No."

"No?"

Catalina shuts her mouth.

The Fourth steps forward. Terrified, she steps back against the door.

"I hear that word a lot," he mutters menacingly, jaw clenched. "People say it all the time in front of me until they can't anymore."

Catalina keeps her lips pressed.

"You had no problem saying my name before," he says in that quiet and calm voice that sends chills all over her.

I wasn't scared of you before.

It's not the smartest thing to say. He will only use her fear to make controlling her easier.

"Well, I was stupid enough to trust you before," she mutters instead, looking away.

The Fourth leans down and touches her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes. Catalina can feel her face starting to pale from his touch. "I really enjoyed our little roleplay," he says seriously. "I know you did too. I told you you look like my first wife, didn't I?"

Humiliatingly, she feels the sides of her eyes burn. "Go to hell."

He smiles. "Sweetheart, where do you think I came from?"

Catalina blanches. "You're a psychopath."

"I prefer creative." He brushes his lips with hers, making her freeze up and tense, and then he steps back with a smile. "Lead the way."

Catalina's eyes dart to the figures nearing the door. Polo and Chuck are coming their way, flanked by other members of the Fourth's family.

Without another look at him, she walks away, and it takes every effort in her to keep her head high.

Her parents, her father's men, and siblings all stand up when the Fourth and his family walk in behind her, and they exchange greetings.

Matias, who's guarding today, puts a hand on hers and squeezes when she comes closer. He smiles, searching her eyes. "Okay?"

Catalina smiles back and nods. He drops his hand and moves back.

"This is Chuck Iver, my left, and Polo Halifax, my right and liaison with the other families," the Fourth says smoothly, and the two tall men, also in three-piece suits, move forward and shake her parents' and siblings' hands, much to Frankie's disgust. "My younger brother Jae, my uncle Elaf, and the captain of my family, Merlot Latona."

Catalina didn't know the Fourth has a brother. Her knowledge about him was limited, which was why she hadn't even remembered that his real name is Kael, but everyone knows the Fourth is an only child—he needs heirs. He needs a Fifth.

It's clear her family is shocked as well, because they hesitate shaking his hand.

He's inches taller than the Fourth—and the Fourth borders on six feet. The brother is sporting a smile that makes her blink—because it doesn't look threatening or dangerous. In fact, it looks almost...shy?

His front teeth are jutting out longer than the rest. He has two piercings on his eyebrow in addition to the ones in his ears and an arm full of tattoos. It isn't noticeable, but under the light, there's a scar across his cheek.

He's also a killer. It doesn't matter if he looks like a huge rabbit, he can crush your throat, Catalina reminds herself. Everyone in this house is a killer except for you, Frankie, and your mother.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," her father says at last, shaking Jae's hand, when the Fourth raises an eyebrow at the prolonged silence and exchange.

The brother and the Fourth do not look like siblings, but no one dares to address it.

The only woman with them, the one named Merlot, makes Catalina's heart pummel to the ground with sudden irrational insecurity. Her black hair flows elegantly down her back like silk. Her features are sharp and symmetrical, and from what Catalina can see, she's not wearing any makeup except for the red on her lips. A black choker is around her neck, and her maroon long-sleeved blouse is open until the middle of her torso, exposing her chest and smooth skin. It's tucked under a pair of black pants that hold multiple guns and knives.

"Wow," Aires says under his breath beside her, eyes wide.

Catalina agrees. Even Frankie looks momentarily taken aback.

Catalina watches her parents look at the woman with slight disapproval, but they don't dare say anything. A woman being the captain is unusual and unheard of, but it must mean she's ruthless.

Add to that their distaste for her revealing outfit choice, but they shake her hand as well. The woman looks like she doesn't give a damn what her parents—or anyone else—think.

The uncle looks like the Third. He greets her father warmly and kisses her mother's hand.

Salvi puts a hand on her shoulder and pushes her forward. "This is the bride. My eldest daughter, Catalina."

She puts on a tight smile. "Pleasure to meet all of you, and thank you for welcoming me into the family."

The Fourth drawls, "Thank you for welcoming me into yours."

Asshole. Catalina ignores his stare and gestures to the table. "Shall we?"

Seated at both ends are the heads of the respective family, and everyone finds their position after that according to rank. Catalina falls into the middle, after her mother, her father's right-hand Boyd, and Aires, and ends up seated beside the Fourth's uncle. Across her is the younger brother, Jae. Catalina sees the four vertical lines etched onto the back of their necks—except for Elaf.

He only has three. That means he hasn't pledged his loyalty yet to the Fourth.

Lunch is like a business meeting with good food and forced light conversation, because the tension is palpable. The last time the Kincaids and the Di Angelos were in a room together, no one came out alive.

This marriage is supposed to fix that, because they have greater enemies now—enemies who would not hesitate to get their hands on her siblings if given the chance.

Much as she wants to deny it, having the Kincaids' support is better protection for her family.

She eats as though she isn't marrying the head of that family at the other end of the table opposite her father. She feels his eyes on hers a couple of times, but Catalina doesn't look up.

"I was surprised when I found out the prodigal daughter of the Di Angelos was marrying my nephew," the uncle beside her says, laughing. He's looking at her, but it's clear he's talking to Salvi. "After all, she was gone for five years."

"She studied medicine," her mother is quick to explain, a strained smile on her lips. "Became a well-respected surgeon. People travel for her."

Catalina purses her lips, her fork slowing down on her pasta. It's true, but the way her mother says it makes it feel like an argument for her 'betrayal'.

She's disloyal. Dishonorable.

Aires puts his hand on hers, squeezing it under the table.

Elaf lets out an impressed grunt, turning to her. "Really?"

"Samchun," the brother says quietly, still smiling at him. "Hyung's fiancé has very steady hands. She cuts people up for living just like we do."

It can't be any more different.

The brother doesn't look at her though, eyes on the Fourth's uncle.

"Of course, of course," Elaf says, waving his hand dismissively. He unnecessarily explains, "I was just worried because the Third wanted Kael to marry a girl with a good head on her shoulders."

"Worry about me when your son has a head on his," the Fourth says, sipping his wine.

Catalina chances a look at the sudden stillness—the uncle pales.

The table goes very still.

Catalina is guessing that the Fourth killed his uncle's son. His cousin.

Chuck passes a hand over his mouth to stifle his grin, but it doesn't work. Polo sighs and puts down his utensils. The brother does the same, and the gorgeous girl keeps eating.

"Of course," Elaf finally says with forced laughter. He turns to Catalina again. "I am glad she will be of great use to my nephew."

Catalina took lessons in self-defense with Aires and Matias when she was younger, but being a doctor robbed her of time to continue those lessons.

So she doesn't see it coming when the uncle's swift hand goes to his knife, the other reaching to clamp around her body. His eyes are wild with fury.

And then she hears her pulse beyond the loud bang.

Something warm and wet hits her face and skin and dress. Blood.

"And when you and my father decide to breathe again," the Fourth says quietly, putting his gun down beside his plate. He resumes with his pasta.

The uncle lands on the ground with a loud thud, and Catalina shudders when his hand drops beside her feet.

She has the urge to stand up and kneel over him, to check his pulse, to see if there's a chance to save him—but the bullet had torn through the man's head. He's not breathing anymore.

"You got some on my plate, hyung," the brother complains, almost whining.

"Lolita," Catalina's mother calls, and the maid comes forward with a new plate.

"Thank you." Jae grins.

Frankie's hands are shaking, her face a sheet of white. Her sister has been sheltered all her life, taken to her room before she could see any violence, any blood that their father and brother and family's men shed. She knows about the horrors but has never seen them. Catalina, Aires, and Matias have always protected her.

Catalina saw her father slash a throat when she was eight. Aires's first kill was to save her from one of their father's men, because her brother couldn't pull the trigger before that. Catalina has seen blood on the carpets and corpses in this home growing up.

But Frankie hasn't, and Catalina can see she's about to throw up.

"Francesca," their father barks when her sister gags and slaps a hand to her mouth. "We will finish this meal."

They will finish this meal with a dead person beside her.

Aires is still gripping her hand, but he loosens it to stand up. "Father—"

"Sit. Down," he seethes, looking like he's about to pull a gun, too.

Aires does.

"Francesca," the Fourth says, and Frankie stiffens. "Does my uncle bother you? He won't anymore, I promise."

Chuck and Merlot grin. Jae coughs. Only Polo looks unbothered, sipping his wine.

Sick. Fucking psychopaths—

"May I please go to the restroom?" Frankie chokes out, fingers shaking near her face.

Their father grits his teeth, but he's not about to have her throwing up all over the table. "Go. Everyone else stays."

Catalina swallows thickly and continues eating. Her hands still don't shake as she grips the fork.

After that eventful lunch, her father's men drag the body away, leaving a trail of blood on the tiles. Catalina feels sticky and disgusting, but she waits until they all move to the drawing room for cigarettes and last-minute preparations.

Her brother grips her elbow beside her and whispers, "Are you okay?"

Catalina nods once. In front of her, Chuck's head follows the line of blood from Elaf's body. "I hate the smell of blood."

"Then maybe you shouldn't kill people for a living," Catalina mutters under her breath, and Chuck turns around with a grin.

Even Jae, beside him, snickers.

They all take their seats. Catalina takes note of the way Merlot sits next to the Fourth with her legs crossed, blouse almost giving way to her breasts. She's not even wearing a bra.

Merlot leans over and whispers something in the Fourth's ear, hand with perfectly-manicured nails on his shoulder.

Catalina turns to head to the restroom. She needs to wash this disgusting blood off. "Excuse me."

She makes it halfway through the hall when: "Catalina."

Her feet stop.

She feels his hand burning on her lower back even through the fabric of her dress, and then it slides over to her waist slowly until he's right in front of her.

He keeps it there and his eyes roam her appearance. "All that blood looks good on you, it really brings out your eyes."

Catalina's fists clench. "You just killed your own uncle."

"Yes, I was there," the Fourth says simply, a blank expression on his face. "Tomorrow, your brother will bring you to your old apartment so you can pack your things. You're moving into my penthouse after the wedding."

How many of his women live there? The thought of seeing other women's things in the place she's going to live in makes her want to retch.

But isn't that a good thing? If he's so focused on other women, maybe he'll ignore her and keep his hands off her.

She doubts it's going to happen, though. With the way he's looking at her, he might as well tear off her clothes right now.

He stares at her face. "What?"

Catalina's mouth is dry.

His impatience appears in his narrowed eyes. "Spit it out."

"Are you going to be faithful to me?"

Fuck. It was out of her lips before she could think about it, and now she wishes her mouth was sewn shut.

The Fourth, faithful? The only faith he has is in himself.

The corner of his lips twitches, and Catalina tries to ignore the fingers dancing around the curve of her hip. Stroking. "You expect me to be?"

No. Merlot and his other women have probably fulfilled all his needs since their engagement and will continue to do so in the future.

That's good.

"Even when you're not faithful yourself?"

Catalina blinks. "What?"

He steps forward, one hand still on her waist, and backs her against the wall. He grips her hip and squeezes it, and Catalina swallows thickly, forcing herself to keep her chin high to stare back at him even as she shivers.

"Matias Dela Rosa touches you again," he murmurs, his other hand coming up to brush the side of her jaw, "and I will invite him to our room after the wedding and make him watch while I fuck you. And then I'll carve out his eyes, and then his heart, and give it to you."

Catalina's throat constricts. He saw that Matias squeezed her hand earlier. "He's my friend."

The Fourth's thumb goes to the ridges of her throat as he searches her eyes. "That's all?"

"Yes," she hisses. "That's all."

He drops the hand from her face, pulls out his phone and puts it to his ear, never taking his eyes away from her.

"Have you cut the fingers already?" he asks.

Catalina's lips part.

The Fourth's eyes drop down to her mouth, and his other hand's thumb keeps stroking her hip.

Catalina slaps his hand away and seethes, "You hurt him?"

"Touching you in front of your fiancé...I should have his hand and kill him," he says quietly, his hand raised mid-air, as if he was surprised she'd actually touched him. His phone is still pressed to his ear. "This isn't my territory and he is not one of my people, but your father gave me permission to do what I see fit."

Because it's disrespectful, because he's her fiancé. Fuck. If Catalina didn't run away, she wouldn't have forgotten these stupid traditions in this mafia shit.

"Please," Catalina says, her voice sounding like that of a stranger's. She hates that she's begging him. "He just wanted to make sure I was okay."

"He knew what he was doing."

Perhaps. It doesn't change the fact that he's her friend.

"And what about you?" she snaps without thinking, face flaming. "It's okay for another woman to touch you in front of me? I don't get to cut off her fingers?"

He stares at her. "You want them?"

It's like he's asking if Catalina wants Merlot's fingers for dinner.

"Merlot, cut your own fingers," Kael says to the phone, still staring at her. "My fiancé wants them."

"No, no, I do not," she almost shouts, shutting her eyes and taking a deep breath. She's not even sure why he's entertaining the idea, mafia husbands can disrespect their wives whenever they want and not get punished for it. "Just...let Matias go."

"Call me by my name and I will."

"Kael."

She says it in a rush, and then her lips press together.

"It's Kael from now on, even in your head," he murmurs. To his phone, he says, "Leave him."

Catalina exhales a shuddering breath.

The Fourth—Kael pockets his phone, strokes his ring on her finger, and says, "I can't wait to marry you, Catalina."

He lets her go, and Catalina rushes to the restroom.

*

#ReignTheFourthWP