“Ruby will take over the role of ring bearer’s minder, leaving Amber to focus on keeping her food regrets where they belong,” I say.
Francesca stifles a laugh, and Amber groans, but agrees, “That’s probably a good idea.”
“I’m just the hairdresser, junior hairdresser,” Ruby stammers.
“We’ll pay any extra necessary so you can look after Al Poochino.” Bloody stupid name for a dog. I turn back to my niece. “Your friends will still be able to be in the photos, but won’t have to manage your mutt.”
“He’s not a mutt, Uncle Dante,” Francesca protests.
“He’s a cheese addicted menace,” I reply.
“So are you,” my sister mutters.
“Not as hairy, and I know how to use indoor plumbing.” I do like cheese though, and many of my enemies would agree about menace, so I don’t deny it.
“I’m not sure this is a good idea,” Ruby says tentatively.
“You can handle a dog, can’t you?” I know she can. She’s smart and kind, and I’m going to take ruthless advantage of that kindness to both help my niece have the wedding she imagined, and also have Ruby near me. I have the strongest need to keep Ruby close, and this little disaster provides a perfect excuse.
“Yes, but?—”
“Then it’s an excellent idea.” Just for today. One day wouldn’t be wrong.
Much.
“I don’t have anything to wear,” she finishes.
“Don’t worry about that,” Lucia says, throwing open a wardrobe. “We brought extras of the bridesmaids’ dresses because Amber couldn’t decide whether she wanted a halter neck or strapless. Here.” She snatches the dress up and looksRuby up and down. “Can you do your own hair? I’ll send the makeup artist to you as soon as?—”
“I’ll manage!” Ruby assures her, and her gaze flicks over to me. But instead of the curious and fearful glances that I get from most people for the tattoos that I covered myself with when I was in my late teens and early twenties, she looks at me with something more like admiration.
It’s unfamiliar, and I remind myself that she’s far too sweet for someone like me. But apart from discreet security, this wedding has none of my mafia presence, at Lucia’s insistence. It’s a bit odd with only a dozen of my men here, since I take my family’s safety very seriously.
I’m glad of Lucia’s decree now. It means instead of Ruby knowing I’m a dangerous mafia boss, I’m just the uncle of the bride. The only objection to me flirting with the stand-in maid-of-honour is my being twice her age. And indirectly her employer.
No problem.
3
RUBY
There’s a stunning arch of white and pink roses that overlooks the crystal-blue lake surrounded by cypress trees and pretty villas on the hills. Musicians play a classical twist on a song I know but can’t remember the name of. Francesca looks beautiful, but it’s not her, or Amber and Daisy with Alpi, that I watch as they walk towards where I’m standing, discreetly to the side.
No. That’s the bride’s uncle, who accompanies her up the aisle. Dante. That man is so fine, he makes the air too thick to breathe.
He prowls. There’s no other word for it. He’s a big jungle cat with his green eyes. His sister and niece have the same eyes, but somehow, they look different on him, with his tattoos and height.
The wedding guests from both sides of the aisle eye Dante warily, as though he’s a predator amongst prey and despite the disguise of his perfect tux, they can sense that he’s not like them. That he’s a threat. Whether he really is, or not, I have no idea.
Francesca has her hand on his arm and inappropriate jealousy bubbles up from my chest, acidic and stinging.
I swallow it down. Seriously, what am I on? He’s not mine. One look and him steadying me doesn’t give me any more right to feel envious of someone who touches him than if I were a bag of peanuts he rescued from a snack machine.
But I have this weird feeling that Dante belongs to me.
I step in and take Alpi’s white leather and gem-encrusted lead from Amber, who gives me a grateful smile and all but collapses into her chair. I’ve been placed on the inside of the front row, with Dante next to me, Lucia beside him, and then Amber and Daisy discreetly on the end in case they need to leave to enable the exit of seafood.
I get Alpi settled at my feet, and he’s as good as gold with his ring pillow on his back.
