Governing the She-Devil

2 One Big Family

"Mr and Mrs Bardin, thank you for patiently waiting. The plane will land in approximately 30 minutes," the pilot announced through the speakers. There was a short delay, and they only managed to fly back to Aslo.

Saint took a sip of her vodka tonic. It might be 10 AM in her timezone, but it's 10 PM somewhere. So, all is good. She glanced to her right to find Sandro's serious face. The light coming from the aeroplane window shone a cinematic facade against his pointed nose and strong jaw. A faint sparkle of obsidian reflected from his eyes. He looks like a god.

"You're not bad for a husband. I love your eyes," she said in pure amazement. Now that she finally took her time looking at his face, she couldn't take her eyes off of him.

Sandro felt the heat from her gaze but paid no attention until she spoke those words. His eyebrows met. She was the most straightforward woman he ever met. "You are drinking alcohol at 10 in the morning," he said, instead of entertaining her remark.

"Yup," Saint said while popping the 'p.'

"Can you please take care of yourself more?" A flashing hint of concern shone in his eyes. If she's not puffing smoke, then she's drinking. How can this woman survive a life like this?

"Don't worry. I'm not dying yet. It will take years before you change your status to widower," she answered cheekily.

Sandro shook his head in incredulity and shut his mouth in defeat. He would never be able to argue with this woman.

The flight was successful. They rode in a black limousine towards the manor where all their families were waiting. This is the first time that they will both meet each family together.

The wedding was abrupt, which meant that it was only them together with parents from both sides. The very same day, they flew to Tusla for a three-day honeymoon, and now they're coming back.

It took another half an hour before they reached the manor. They were welcomed by Saint's father, Theodore, and cousin, Eli, together with Sandro's parents, Victoria and Starius, and his brothers, Marcus, and Vincent.

"How was your honeymoon? Did you like the hotel I prepared for you?" Victoria excitedly asked once they climbed down the car. Victoria is already in her 60s, yet her glow is like a 40-year-old elegant woman. Beside her is her husband, who is the spitting image of the three brothers.

"It was lovely, Mrs Bardin. We enjoyed it so much to the point that we never left to enjoy the city itself," Saint answered enthusiastically as she clasped both her arms in Sandro's. She matched her remark with a wink and a broad grin, as if suggesting something.

Well, it's true. They never left the hotel within those three days. But they did not stay together either. After their steamy encounter, Sandro booked another room and locked himself inside.

Mrs Bardin's eyes widened in shock and slightly covered her mouth, while Theodore's gaze grazed upon his only daughter, as if reprimanding her for her words.

"Please call me mom. You are now my daughter after all," Victoria said after recuperating from Saint's scandalous remark. "Come on now. The food is waiting for us."

Saint looked at her husband's stoic face and grinned. She kept her arms around his and pecked a kiss on his cheek. "Why so serious, husband?"

Sandro could only shake his head in disbelief but still put his hand on her back to assist her as they walked towards the dining area. He was raised by his father properly and still knows how to be a gentleman.

"Should we start expecting a niece or nephew?" Marcus grinned like a Cheshire cat. He is the youngest of the three and decided to join the army. He only signed a day-off to personally meet his sister-in-law. He heard a lot of news about her and he wanted to check if it was true.

Saint was taken back and almost spit her drink out. Sandro acted on reflex and rubbed her back while offering a napkin. As the scene unfolded, Victoria couldn't hide her smile. It seems like the kids have got closer.

"Not that we don't want kids now, but it would be harder to put our focus on it. We should wait after the election," Sandro replied in a final manner which caught Saint off guard again.

It was now Sandro's turn to grin inwardly as he watched her cough a couple of times. Two can play this game. "Are you okay, love?"

It was a chaotic get-together. Saint stopped her antics for the whole meal. She never expected the oh-so-serious Sandro to ride-in with her teasing. All her actions backfired.

Saint took a stroll to the garden when a strong force pulled her arm. She turned her head and found her cousin Eli glaring at her. She smiled mockingly and teased, "What can I do for my lovely cousin?"

"I told you not to marry him." Annoyance and anger laced his every word. "I can't let him takeover Aslo."

Eli is also into politics. The difference is, he runs to protect illegal activities, while Sandro is an advocate of order and justice. Sandro is Eli's worst competitor for the upcoming elections. Now that she has married Sandro, there is a greater chance that he will win.

"That's not my problem, Eli," she said with a straight face. All her teasing is gone. She roughly snatched her arm from his hold and took a step back.

"It is your problem, Saint. Do remember that you are also under my protection. You won't be able to operate your underground rink once I lose."

"I don't need your protection." Saint took a turn and walked away.

She married Sandro to piss her cousin off. They never got closer, even though they worked on the same line. She owned fight clubs and bars. All were unregistered and illegal. While her cousin swore an oath to protect the drug dealers. The difference is Saint hates drugs. She can't just let her cousin monopolize the illegal substances all over the area. That's why she married Sandro. She had her reasons too.