“You don’t get it,” she said bitterly, “you’re just the next one in line taking away my freedom. I don’t want any of this!”
I swing her back to me as she tries to move away. “No, I’m giving your freedombackto you. You can finish your master’s degree if you like. Do the research you care about. You’ll be safe with me. The best part? Think about how much this is going to piss off your father. We just might give him a coronary with this news!”
The smile over her pretty lips is fleeting, but it’s there.
“Don’t lie to me,” I’m grinning, “I know you love that idea.”
“This wouldn’t be permanent,” she warns, “when the heat is off we go our separate ways.”
I have no intention of ever letting her go. A Mafia marriage is for life. But there’s no reason to muddy the waters. I’m on a schedule here. “Let’s make this quick,” I said. “We’ll be married before your father or that cartel fuck can do anything about it.” I’m grinning and it’s only partly from picturing Senator Thorne’s expression when he hears the news.
I’m really grinning because I know I’ve won her over.
Pulling my phone out of my jacket, I call Giovanni.
“Did you really get her to agree to this insane plan?”
“Hell, yes I did,” I say, “how soon can you two get here.”
“Twenty minutes,” he said, “you have a priest lined up?”
“Already on the way,” I agree.
“You were confident,” he said dryly. “See you soon.”
As I end the call, I see she’s glaring at me. “Are you kidding? You set me up!”
“NoBellissima,”I corrected patiently, “I convinced you, as an intelligent woman who understands logic.”
This silences Cora. She’s so clearly frustrated and finally mutters, “Damn you!” as she grabs her wine glass, draining it in two big swallows.
“Is this why I’m wearing this white dress, the significance of which I did not realize until too late?” Cora asks me out of the corner of her mouth as Giovanni and Ekaterina step out onto the terrace.
Looking down at the simple, gauzy white lace dress that falls in soft folds around her hips and legs, I kiss her hand. “Well, that, and I knew you would look spectacular in it.”
“I’m still mad as hell at you,” she grumbles just before Ekaterina greets her warmly.
“I’m so happy to have another sister!” My sister-in-law is always sweet. “Welcome to the family.”
Cora manages a sickly sort of smile. “Thank you, I appreciate your kindness.”
Linking arms with her, Ekaterina leads her away. “I am guessing this was not at all what you had in mind for this evening?”
I listen intently, ignoring Giovanni’s questions.
There’s a short laugh from Cora. “And I am guessing that you have some experience with this, too?”
Ekaterina shrugs elegantly. “Sudden, unexpected weddings are becoming a tradition with this family.”
The terrace doors open again and a beaming Martina escorts Bishop Gallo outside. This is not the first time he’s performed a hasty ceremony for the Toscanos, and he’s not looking excited about another round.
“The Most Reverend Bishop Gallo,” I greet him with a respectful bow of my head and kiss his ring as he offers his hand. “We are honored you could give us the gift of the Lord’s blessing on our union.”
“Hmm…” he sighs, “let us begin, shall we?”
This may be thrown together, but there’s no more beautiful place to make our wedding vows than here at my family’s vineyard. The glow of the lights at the end of the rows of grapevines, the fragrant pots of flowers, the cool evening air… it’s perfect, even if my bride looks shell-shocked as I slide the wedding ring Giovanni picked up onto her finger.
My brother and sister-in-law sign the marriage certificate as our witnesses and Gio shakes my hand. “I must admit, Dario, I did not picture this moment for you. Ever.”
