“Why?”
She searched her thoughts. “Well, you didn’t bat an eye when I dropped a big bombshell like murder on you.”
“Self-defense. You are incapable of murder.”
“Wanna make a bet?”
I laughed silently. She’d lose. Perhaps she was capable of murder, but only for the best of reasons. Like protecting her sister, or protecting someone else she loved.
And like a whip that thought circled my mind and snapped back at me. “You love me?”
“Yes.”
Another piece of the puzzle fell into place. She’d gone searching for me. Firenze explained the morning’s events to me.
The twins swapped clothes shortly after I left with Loppa.
Allie, dressed as Ellie, slipped into the garage and tried to take a car. When confronted, she fled down the hill toward the town. Meanwhile, Ellie, dressed as my bride, ran across the slope toward the walking path she’d come up with Ringo. It was there she’d been taken by Dianora’s crew before Firenze could catch up. He couldn’t fire on the group because they used Ellie as a shield.
Ringo, perhaps recognizing the difference between the twins, followed Allie and fled with her by boat when the villa was compromised.
“I love you. I couldn’t let you turn yourself over to that bitch. And it’s not just because she’s competition, it’s because you’d be miserable. And I’d be miserable, and she’d win.” Allie took my hand and squeezed my fingers.
“And that idea sucked. I want to be happy…with you. I want you to be happy. And if that’s with me, well…”
I pulled her close. “I love you, my beautiful bride.”
“Are you sure?”
“Certain. I love you more than flowers love the sun. More than the water loves the shore. More than any man has loved a woman before. You are strong, resourceful, kind, giving, beautiful, smart, and I’d be the worst fool in the world not to love you as faithfully and deeply as I could for as long as I possibly can. You are more than I ever dreamed of. I’m incomplete without you.”
I searched her face for truth that my words moved her.
The corner of her mouth lifted. “You had me at flowers.” She broke into a wide grin.
My heart soared. “You really love me?”
“I do. And if you’re done putting yourself in danger, I’m on board.”
A scoff broke free. “Please. Devlin’s the one who loves danger. I love plans, rules…”
“Your code?” Her tone was careful.
“You. I love you.” I leaned in to kiss her, but she avoided my lips.
“What about your family?”
“What about them?”
“I mean, your father isn’t exactly my biggest fan. And your grandfather might be a little angry about being kidnapped.”
Her worries were unfounded. Father risked his best lawyer. And Grandfather? He was luxuriating in the possibility of taking over all of Don Conti’s holdings.
“Let me tell you about the code.”
Allie settled closer and gave me her attention. In moments like this, I still marveled at how well she fit me. Her quiet intelligence and her peaceful strength were tuned to my temperament perfectly.
“When you fall in love, your bride becomes your number one priority. Over family, over everything else. We are a proud people. But we’d not have existed without love. The woman is the core of the family. We honor her.” I paused, remembering how Grandfather pointed to his wife. She’d smiled to herself, a blush creeping up her cheeks.
