At two p.m., I stood in front of Bianca, grasping her hands as the officiant spoke in front of us. We were in my office—not because it was ideal, but because it was the safest place on the premises. Until I’d formally announced my marriage to Bianca, I didn’t want to take any chances.
We’d made a quick and inconspicuous trip to city hall to get our marriage license, and then had returned home to meet the officiant. He’d performed other short-notice weddings, and was willing to fudge the timeline on the wedding license documentation to ensure we were compliant.
Nick and Alexis stood as our witnesses, and Carmen and Leticia both looked on with caring eyes as the ceremony progressed.
Bianca’s face was impassive as I squeezed her hands, urging the blood to flow so they would warm. Her eyes met mine, full of indecision and doubt, and I gazed back, unwavering. To her, this was happening at lightning pace. It was impossible for her to know that I’d planned this very moment for years.
And yet, even with the long, sometimes painful history between us, she trusted me enough to marry me. It was a huge gift that I swore not to take for granted.
We exchanged vows before the officiant proclaimed that I could kiss my new wife. Leaning forward, I touched my lips to hers, feeling the spark on my skin from the brief contact. God, Icouldn’t wait to hold her...to touch her...to cherish her in all the ways she deserved.
Alexis approached and hugged Bianca before turning to me and arching an eyebrow.
“You hurt her, and I’ll murder you myself.”
My lips twitched at her grit, and I found myself wishing that half my capos had her tough demeanor and fearlessness.
“Understood. I take my vows seriously, and will honor them to you both, Alexis.”
Lifting the phone from her back pocket, she looked at the screen. “Thanks for the new phone. I guess it’s time for us to go.”
“It won’t be forever, sweetheart,” Bianca said. “Just until we can guarantee your safety.”
Sympathy welled in my chest as Alexis’s eyes shone with tears. “I was going to look for a place and move into the city. I was going to apply at Google and Meta and finally start my life. I just wasn’t quite there yet...”
“I don’t want to be dramatic, but you can’t do that if you’re dead, Alexis,” I said softly. “Nick will protect you until I eliminate everyone who wishes to remain loyal to Victor. I’ll work quickly. It does me no good to let Rossi allies linger.”
“I’m a Rossi,” she said, swiping away an errant tear. “What does that mean for me?”
“You’re a Santoro too, dear,” Bianca said, approaching her and tenderly rubbing her upper arms. “And we can weather anything. Please don’t fight us on this. I need to show public support for Michael, and I can’t do this if you’re not safe.”
“Will I at least have internet access?”
“We’ll get you a secure VPN,” I said, glancing at Nick who gave an affirming nod. “And Nick will get you whatever you need. You can call your mom anytime on your new phone. It’s secure.”
“Okay,” she sighed. “I’m not trying to be difficult, but you must understand that if I decode the flash drive for you, we have no leverage left. I’m just not willing to do it. Yet.”
I looked at Nick again, silently reminding him of my directive to gain her trust.
“If I were you, I’d do the same thing,” I said, knowing with every fiber of my being that it was true. It was extremely savvy for her to hang on to the last vestige of information that garnered her and Bianca any sort of power. Bianca and I had a past, but all Alexis knew of me were fragments of truth and the fact that I killed her father. “One day, I hope you’ll trust me.”
“Take care of Mom, and I might.” She pulled Bianca into an embrace and whispered in her ear, “Congratulations, Mom. I love you so much. And he’s kind of a silver fox hottie, so maybe it’s not all bad.”
Bianca chuckled and pulled back, smoothing Alexis’s hair as tears formed in her stunning eyes. “Call me when you get to the safehouse and let me know if you need anything. I’ll make sure you get it.”
Alexis nodded before turning to Nick. “Let the prison sentence begin,” she droned.
Nick scowled before gesturing to the door. “After you, princess.”
Alexis flashed him a humorless smile before exiting.
“I’ll do my best not to strangle her,” Nick said before pivoting and following her.
Bianca sighed and rested her forehead in her hand. “This is a disaster. All of it.”
The officiant, who’d remained silent during the exchange, cleared his throat. “Mr. Caruso, I’m going to head out now.”
“Yes, thank you,” I said, shaking his hand. “I trust that I have your discretion and anything you heard here will remain private.”
