“I’m always serious.” To a fault, according to Ringo.
Speaking of the devil, I heard his voice outside charming the wedding planner. Another voice joined theirs, older and deeper.
I straightened my mask and quickly turned so my profile was hidden by the costume. I chanced a look in the room’s large standing mirror and caught sight of Ringo before the door closed, placing me, the older man and the wedding planner inside with Allie.
“What happened to the groom?!” The planner pointed at the unconscious imbecile.
“I clobbered him when he threatened me.” Allie jumped to my defense quickly. That would not do. I opened my mouth to correct her, but the wedding planner jumped all over me.
“And you just let her? Damn it, Jerry.”
I took off my mask. “I’m not Jerry.”
Her jaw dropped.
Allie’s notably, didn’t.
The older man slapped his hands together. “Oh, you must be the Eye-talian our little Ellie is marrying.”
Allie opened her mouth to say “Allie,” but I sent her a warning glance over the man’s shoulder.
“You have me at a loss, sir.” I held out a friendly hand to distract him from the barely breathing body in the corner.
“Oh, shoot, I’m Judge Stone, Oliver Stone, like that movie guy, you know the one. I’m the Justice of the Peace around here. And I owe little Ellie’s late grandfather a favor so I thought to oversee this one personally. Did you know he signed off for the funds on the Sunrise Hospital himself?” Oliver pumped my arm like the seasoned politician he was. I smiled convincingly and kept an eye on Allie who was gearing up to say something that would straighten the whole situation out.
“Charmed.”
Allie sent me the stink-eye.
“But who’s this? I thought he was the groom.” The wedding planner pointed at the man-baby sleeping in the corner.
Allie answered, “That’s Johnny. Ellie’s ex-boyfriend…for a good reason.”
The wedding planner turned red. “Oh. I’m so sorry, he shouldn’t be in here. Maybe I should find a doctor or something?”
“You do that, little lady. I’m going to make sure the papers are all buttoned up here.”
The Justice stayed behind as the wedding planner dragged Johnny out the door.
Ringo stood with his back against the wall. This time, he caught sight of my face before I could hide. He smirked and lifted a finger by his waist. The gun he’d formed with his hand clicked once, and he winked at me. Then the door shut him out.
“Is there a back way out of here?” I asked.
“Please?” Allie added to my question.
“Oh, in a hurry? You two crazy kids. You’ll get the full treatment with the ceremony. That includes a limo ride straight to the airport or the hotel of your choice. You can skedaddle right out of the chapel through my entrance by the pulpit. It’s all in your contract. Prepaid, no refunds.” He skewered Allie with a raised eyebrow.
Allie blinked. “Who is going to officiate?” She glanced at me in Jerry’s costume.
“I am. I can’t have ol’ Alfred Pulaski’s granddaughter being hitched by some actor now, can I?”
Alfred…Pulaski? Son of a bitch.
Certain names are whispered in the circles I flirted with. Other names become legend. Allie’s grandfather fit into the latter category. “How do we get this limo?”
“Sign right here. Print your full name under it.” I did.
“And Ellie?—”
