Fabiana looked up from a gaggle of apron-clad helpers with a mock-stern frown. ‘She’s not your wife yet,caru. Don’t test Him.’
I half-smiled but kept my eyebrows raised. I wasn’t going to apologise for that.Fiancéehad felt inadequate right from the jump. The second I asked Maddelena to marry me, she’d become my better half. My soul.
‘She might be in the chapel with the wedding planners?’ one starry-eyed maid offered with a blush.
I nodded my thanks, went out the side door and jumped into a golf cart.
Capos, lieutenants and staff had taken the news of the Salvatore heir marrying a Mancinelli with the expected shock and wariness, which had slowly dissolved into grudging acceptance then well-wishes as some understood the method to the madness. They didn’t need to know the ins and outs of their Don’s and Underboss’s reasoning.
So I was gratified by the extra security guarding the paved lane from the house to the chapel, where another army of planners were hard at work prepping for two big events.
In a little over a week I would be a married man.
A reality I would’ve laughed raucously at three short months ago. I was shaking my head in silent wonder when I saw her.
Dressed in cream leggings and a chunky white cashmere sweater to ward off the cold, she was leaning up to touch the top of a six-foot floral and candle stand. The winter sun slanting through arched windows bathed her in light, making her chestnut hair glint. My gaze ate her up, my breath locked in my throat.
Fuck, she was beautiful.
Sensing me, she turned around. ‘Cesare? I thought you were in the city with Rafa and the others until tonight?’ Her eyes frantically searched mine for bad news. Reassurance I wouldn’t be able to provide for another week.
Pushing that from my mind, I walked up, sliding my arms around to cup her luscious ass. ‘Not just yet. I wanted to see you first.’
‘Well, here I am,’ she said softly. Her own arms crept around my neck, and we kissed until the need to breathe andnotbe struck down for dry-humping in church pulled us apart.
‘I have a surprise for you. Come with me?’
Her eyes searched deeper. ‘Of course.’
I took her hand, led her outside and into the buggy.
From the corner of my eye, I saw her head swivelling back and forth, attempting to uncover my secret. Smiling inwardly, I drove past the main house and swimming pool to the second of the five guest lodges.
Her eyes narrowed when I stepped out. ‘I hope you’re not trying to flirt your way into seeing my dress before the wedding?’
‘You think I can’t?’ I challenged.
She pouted. ‘I hope you won’t. Cesare, I don’t?—’
I kissed her silent. ‘It’s fine, baby, I’m not coming in. Your surprise is inside.’
She looked from the lodge to me, flustered and a little wary. ‘What did you do?’
I didn’t get the chance to answer. The door bust open.
‘Can you two grope each other in your own time? We’re on a timer here.’
Maddelena glanced past me and gasped. ‘Jac? Oh my God!’
The third Mancinelli sister stood on the wide porch, hands at her sides. She sent me a wary glance as Maddelena flew up the steps.
I exhaled, content as the sisters hugged.
A second later, Maddelena gasped again when first Sofiya, then a middle-aged woman joined them. Vittoria Mancinelli’s gaze was equally wary, softening only when it fell on her daughters.
I watched them greet each other with easy affection, Jacinta earning the most attention from her big sister before Maddelena hugged her mother.
Then she glanced over her shoulder. ‘Thank you.’
