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“Senator Todd Lawton, I presume.” Savva murmured. “The gentleman who so kindly kept me from my wife.”
“She ain’t your wife yet, son.” Daddy didn’t stop walking. “Best get moving if you want to fix that in time to keep your crown.”
SAVVA
Jerome piloted the sleek private jet himself, surprising me until I remembered he’d been a decorated military pilot before his marriage to Damaris’s mother. We were also given priority clearance, thanks to the senator in the seat next to me.
“Less than two hours, Daddy!” Damaris shouted from across the aisle. “Move this crate faster.”
“Keep your shirt on, punkin. We’re on final approach.”
We landed with more haste than grace, and Damaris took off across the tarmac the minute the steps were lowered. Before I could catch her, she stumbled in her flip flops and kicked them off, then picked up her pace.
I grimaced, wishing I could give her a proper wedding. I didn’t care about the formal affair the palace staff had planned, but I hoped she didn’t mind getting married in a bikini top and cutoff denim shorts.
Then again, she looked positively edible.
“Damaris, wait!”
She slid sideways and nearly wiped out on the slick tile of the terminal, giving me a chance to catch her.
“Come on!” She tugged my arm, but I wasn’t about to let go. “We have to hurry!”
“We also can’t get married without our witnesses, and they can’t keep up with you.” I tangled my fingers in her hair and kissed her. “We’re going to be together forever. I don’t care about anything else, but I’m not going to allow you to risk yourself in a mad dash across an airport.”
“I’ve got the application filled out and it’s ready for you to sign and pick up,” Todd said, panting as he caught up. “Damaris, your daddy got your passport. We just need to make a quick stop at the courthouse.”
“I have the wedding chapel lined up.” Jerome patted her shoulder, then dropped her flip flops at her feet. “Now, put on your shoes, walk like a danged lady, and try not to fall on your backside.”
“You take that back. I ain’t no lady.” Despite her words, she smiled and slid her feet into her shoes.
“You must be,” he countered. “Your prince is definitely a tramp.”
“Damaris can be whatever she wishes.” I met Jerome’s eyes and didn’t blink. “I prefer to call her Dr. Mazanov.”
After getting the marriage license, we made it to the chapel with barely thirty minutes to spare. To my surprise, a dress was waiting for her, and someone had an ill-fitting tuxedo for me.
With Senator Lawton as my best man, I waited at the altar, praying for…
A proper prince would have been more concerned about his people, but I only wanted Damaris. Within moments, she appeared on her father’s arm, her dress unfastened over her bikini top. Giving me a brilliant smile, she rushed to me, only slowing when Jerome tugged her arm to stop her headlong dash to the altar.
When she reached me, she kissed her father’s cheek, then said, “All right, Padre, get to the good part. We’re on a time crunch here.”
“Yes, I’m aware.” The celebrant smiled, then said, “Do you, Savva Grygori Mazanov, take Damaris Anne Lawton as your lawful wife?”
“I do.”
“Damaris, same, but reverse the names.”
“I do.”
“Great. By the power vested in me by the State of Nevada, I now pronounce you prince and princess. You may kiss the bride.”
“Yay!” She jumped into my arms and wrapped her legs around my waist, then kissed me. I forgot everything else until my phone buzzed with warning.
Setting her gently on her feet, I said, “There is one last thing. I must ask you to kneel for me.”
“Mmm. My favorite game.”
