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After handing the woman the money, she handed me a keycard for the room. I was shocked there weren’t still regular keys. “Don’t lose it because you’ll have to pay to replace it.”

“Understood.” I pressed the keycard to my chest and turned out of the small lobby. All the entrances were from the outside, which I hated. The risk of being seen was greater.

As soon as I closed the door, I sat on the well-made bed and contemplated my next steps. For as outdated and rundown as the place was, the room was neat and clean. Exhausted, I fell asleep partially sitting straight up, so I shook my head and my shoulders before laying back properly.

The rest didn’t last long when I heard someone pound on the wall dividing the next room. Sounds of overly enthusiastic sex could be heard.

“You’re so much better than my husband,” a woman shouted. My eyes widened, and I formed an “O” shape with my mouth.

“Damn right I am,” the man grunted. I tried to ignore their escapade, but they kept at it, so I decided to take a shower to wash all the hair and makeup junk off me. I snagged the bag and went through it. “Damn it, no extra undies.” I should have told her to at least pick up a couple of pairs.

The first thing I did was take them off and wash them in the sink before using their hairdryer and spending five minutes getting most of the moisture out of them. It didn’t work well because all I had were hot, damp panties. I hung them to dry and then started plucking the hundred bobby pins out of my hair.

Chapter Five

Giovanni

“Boss, she crawled out of the window and fixed herself before making a beeline for the parking lot.”

“Send me any images you get, and keep an eye on her.”

“Will do.” He paused and then added, “Also Don Castellano lost his mind this morning after three of our connections stopped their trade with him. Word has spread that you’re not the first man he tossed his granddaughter at and she’s already pregnant with another man’s baby.”

I let out a scoffing chuckle. “Pregnant? Really. That’s interesting.” It wasn’t interesting in the least. That woman was forgettable, but the slight wasn’t.

“Continue with the plan. Make sure it’s known that no one fucks with the Don of Las Vegas and his wife.” The Don would lose everything for refusing to take no for an answer.

I smiled at the image he had sent. Although she believed she was slick, my bride was being watched.

I looked up from my phone to my capo’s face. “Follow her. Don’t let her out of your sight.” I knew she’d be a handful, and yet there was no way in hell I’d let her go.

“Boss, should we grab her?” he asked.

A swift wave of territoriality rushed over me. “No. Don’t ever fucking lay your hands on her. Just follow and keep all bastards away from her.”

“Understood.”

I chuckled as I hung up with my underboss. “Oh, she’s adorable, thinking she can get away from me.”

“I’ll find you, and we’ll be married soon.” Taking one more look at her photo, I closed the message and focused on fixing my tie before I left.

I arrived at the church and found it in chaos. The staff moved around in a flurry, finishing up the decorations and cameras, completely unaware that my bride made a break for it.

Her father stood in the middle of the aisle, admiring the quick handiwork of the staff I brought in. When his eyes met mine, a flicker of resentment crossed them before he brought a smile to his face. “Ah, Mr. Lupo, you arrived. I was worried you changed your mind about this.”

“Not a chance in hell. Mariana will be my wife.”

“Where is she? I have a gift I’d like her to wear for the wedding.”

“She’s in the bridal suite, but it’s bad luck to see the bride,” the planner said, interrupting our conversation.

I whipped my head toward her and smirked, “We’re getting married one way or another, so it doesn’t matter if I see her in her dress or naked. She’s mine.”

She bowed her head and said, “Of course, Sir. Forgive me for my words.”

I raised my hand to stop her groveling. “It’s forgiven. Just lead me to my bride.”

We walked to the bridal suite, her father following me like the nosy motherfucker he was. As we arrived at the door, I said, “I don’t need an audience to speak with my wife.”