Page 105 of Exacting Vengeance

What they’d all contributed was truly amazing. In fact, the last month had been a crazy whirlwind of activity. With all their charitable and socialite connections, of which there turned out to be many, a general thanks to the six women and one child in the room would hardly suffice.

“Gina,” she said, smiling at the woman it was impossible not to like, and who’d quickly become one of her newest and closest friends, “I don’t know how you found this venue on such short notice. It’s beyond my wildest dreams. I feel like a princess.” The beautiful Briarcliff Manor estate did look more like a castle, with its ivy-covered turrets and stone walls. The inside was equally stunning, with white marble floors and enormous crystal chandeliers. “Thank you,” she said, barely able to keep from shedding a few tears.

Gina pressed a hand over her heart, her dark brown eyes also shimmering. “You are more than welcome.”

“Margo, the flowers are stunning,” she continued, indicating the blond-haired woman, whom she’d learned was the steadfast, pragmatist of the bunch. “All the bouquets, boutonnieres, flowers for the tables…it’s like a flower garden out there.”

Margo held up her flute and smiled. “It was my absolute pleasure to do this for you.”

“Annabelle, how can I ever thank you for tasting all the food for the reception?” Like Gina, it had been impossible not to like the woman with bright green eyes and curly red hair. When she’d been in the throes of morning sickness, having someone else sample reception food had been a godsend.

“That was truly my pleasure, as well.” She grinned. “Food is my specialty.”

“And Kinsey.” Victoria held up her flute as she smiled at the tall, statuesque woman with long, shiny dark hair. “Without you, we wouldn’t have these beautiful dresses.”

Miraculously, Kinsey, whom she’d met only two weeks ago when she’d flown back from Kenya, had somehow procured the sleek white sleeveless fit-and-flare wedding dress, with a draped cowl neckline and deep V-back. Though her pregnancy still barely showed, the lightweight stretch satin would allow her to eat for two at the reception and dance comfortably. Even Tracee’s and Gina’s ivory satin short sleeve bridesmaids’ dresses were perfectly fitted, as was the knee-length cream lace sheath dress Elaina—Kyle’s mother—wore.

“Elaina,” Victoria said, gazing warmly at her soon-to-be mother-in-law, at this point, barely able to choke back the tears. “Thank you for accepting me so graciously into your family.”

“And thank you, dear.” Elaina grinned. “For giving me my first grandchild.”

Gina coughed, taking a quick sip of cider.

Right after proposing, Kyle had driven her to meet his mother. While they’d explained everything, Elaina had listened wordlessly. Then she’d wrapped Victoria in a big, warm hug. No one could ever replace her own mother, but Elaina helped alleviate the sadness of not having her here.

She rolled her lips inward, wishing her mother had lived to see her marry the man of her dreams, but was comforted by the firm belief that she was there, watching over her and smiling in approval.

Victoria cleared her throat before continuing. “To my dearest friends, Tracee and Ruby.” She leaned down to cup Ruby’s adorable little face. “Thank you for helping me pick out a white chocolate wedding cake with raspberry filling. I couldn’t have decided without your professional expertise in cake tasting.”

“It was my favorite, and I like a lot of cake!” Ruby giggled, and everyone laughed with her. “Thank you for the dress.” She twirled around in the smaller version of a bridesmaid dress Victoria had insisted on.

“Last, but by no means least, Tracee. Thank you for taking care of the invitations. You’ve been my friend, my colleague, my rock. The only reason I’m alive is because you broke a promise to me.” If she hadn’t called Kyle the night Yuri had kidnapped her, there was no doubt in her mind he wouldn’t have arrived in time to save her.

“I did, didn’t I?” Tracee grinned unapologetically. “It was the best promise I ever broke.”

After giving Tracee a warm hug, she turned to the other women, taking them all in and having an epiphany, of sorts. “When you put your mind into a project, you go all out.” Only a week ago, these women had told her the whole story about how they’d stolen from the Italian Mafia and given the money to a women’s shelter. That same night, she’d confided her own story about stealing from the Bratva and giving the money to charity. “I think it was fate we all met. We have so much in common!”

For a moment, no one said a word, then Gina snorted, and they all laughed, joining together in the middle of the room to clink glasses.

After the laughter had died down, Gina asked, “So, are you ready to get married?”

She took a deep breath. “I’ve been ready for this moment for over a decade.”

Gina winked. “I’ll go tell the boys. I’ll give you a few minutes.”

“Thank you.” Her eyes brimmed with tears of joy.

She had always loved Kyle. Her only regret was for the time they’d spent apart. Today was all about new beginnings.

For her. For Kyle. And their new family.

Kyle stood with his brothers and their boss at the front of the estate’s event room.

Two sections of chairs lined up on either side of a long white runner. Yellow and white flowers tied with ribbon hung everywhere, including on the twelve-foot-high arch beneath which he and his brothers waited for the bridal party.

Nearly every seat was taken by his family, friends, and agents and support staff from his office. In the years since Victoria had fled Chicago, there hadn’t been much opportunity for her to make lasting friendships, but along with his mother and Gina and her Band of Merry Women, they’d welcomed her into their fold.

The low hum of voices, laughter, and music played by the small orchestra set up in the back corner floated in the air.