“Spring.” It was the first word that popped out of my mouth. Luc and I hadn’t discussed setting the date yet. We had some more pressing issues, but they couldn’t know that. For everyone else, there was no reason to wait.
“Spring!” Rosalie echoed, clapping her hands together. “You’ll make a beautiful spring bride, Mia.”
I hoped I’d make a beautiful bride regardless of the season. Judging by the way Tori snorted into her drink I assumed she had the same thoughts.
The conversation drifted into talk of the wedding. Flowers, dress styles, and, most importantly, the guest list. I kept myself quiet as they discussed among themselves who they thought shouldn’t attend, seeing as they had not bothered to turn up to this event. I wasn’t willing to say anything that might cause an issue for us later down the line. Aside from the political minefield of the guestlist, the day ran smoother than I had imagined it would. Even Dante was on his best behavior. So much of our future rode on how people perceived us, and all of us were putting our best efforts into ensuring it was only in a positive light.
Our circle of gossip disbanded to mingle with others, and I took the chance to top up my glass, grateful for a moment of peace. I hadn’t seen Xavier or Emilia since they first walked in, although Gabe and his mystery woman were still working the room.
“How are you holding up?” Luc asked, his arms snaking around my waist and pulling me into him. My body melted against his, leaning on him and taking in the scent of whiskey and tobacco.
“Still alive and still in one piece,” I replied, earning me a kiss on my temple. “By the way, we’re getting married in the spring.”
“Where was I when this decision was made?” He leaned back to look at me properly, eyebrow raised quizzically.
“Probably smoking a cigar with Dante and the others.”
“Right. Spring. We’d better get onto a planner.”
“We don’t have to do it then. I just didn’t know what to say and it was the first thing that came out of my mouth.”
“No, it’s good. I don’t want to wait. We shouldn’t wait.”
It was a comfort to know that Luc didn’t want to wait, although I knew that was partially his impatient nature and partially because the good Catholic boy in him knew he shouldn’t have had children with me out of wedlock and was worried for our souls.
“Who’s that with Gabriel?” I asked, tipping my glass toward the couple.
“Chastity Perkins,” Luc answered without hesitation.
“Who is she?” Gabe’s arm was wrapped around her waist, completely at ease with his surroundings, but Chastity’s eyes darted around as if she was looking for an escape route. “I don’t think I’ve seen her before.”
“You wouldn’t have. She’s Silas Perkins’ daughter. Been busy in college the last I’d heard.” He mumbled the information. “Looks like Gabe’s been trying to form some alliances of his own.”
“You’re not close to Silas?”
“He’s an acquired taste.”
Gabe had been unusually quiet, and the reason was now apparent. With his plans to use me well and truly dead in the water, he’d moved onto the next option. But if Silas wasn’t someone considered a big hitter then why would Gabe be parading his daughter around?
“Should we be concerned?”
“Not yet,” he answered honestly. “Chas has had her head stuck in a book. Most of us don’t know her well enough. I’d keep an eye out, but I’d say she’s no real threat.”
Nodding my head, I asked, “Did you see Xavier?”
Luc’s body tensed and I turned in his arms so I could face him. “He stopped by. Didn’t say much and left.”
“Not long,” I said, putting a free hand on the side of his face. The holidays were almost over and so was this nightmare. “We’re almost there.”
Chapter Forty Five
Lucas
The vein in my neck jumped every time I thought about being stuck in the Moretti residence all night. Thoughts of revenge lingered in my mind, pushed to the back thanks to my son and Mia, but knowing I would be around him all night woke a primal desire that made my skin itch. It had been my idea to be patient. It had been my idea to buy us time and support, but the instinct to dispose of the person who had crossed me thrummed in my veins.
“Whatever you are thinking, stop,” Mia told me sharply as she dropped her phone back into her clutch. No doubt she was checking in on Link. It didn’t matter that Lydia was looking after him or that we’d only just left; Mia would still worry.
“You can’t blame me.”
