Page 36 of Taking His Heart

“Fuck,” CJ hisses. “I have a ring.” He turns to me. “For you. Not on me, but I do have one.”

“You do?”

“I’ve had it for a while.” He shrugs and then turns back to Eileen. “We’ll need you to supply some please.”

“Okay, that will be an extra five-hundred,” she says.

“That’s fine.” CJ takes his wallet from his pocket, pulls out a black card, and hands it over to Eileen.

“Thank you. Do you have witnesses?”

“No, it’s just us.”

“That’s okay. We can witness for you. Come on back and I’ll get you two lovebirds the paperwork.”

I let CJ take control of the entire process of filling out the forms. I do, however, decide to accept a bouquet of flowers but deny walking down the small aisle when asked. I’d prefer to just be with CJ.

Once everything is sorted, we’re introduced to Jack, Eileen’s husband, and we’re standing under a floral arch facing each other. The minister goes through the motions. I keep my eyes on CJ the entire time. He smiles back at me. When it gets to the part where he puts a ring on my finger, he slides it on and says I do without hesitation.

And then it’s my turn. I take the offered ring from the minister and hold it over CJ’s finger. “I have some vows I want to say,” I tell Jack.

“Okay, the floor is all yours.”

“CJ. I love you. I promise to always love you because that’s a promise I couldn’t break even if I wanted to. You are the other half of my soul. I promise to work on my communication skills. I promise to be honest and to always be your biggest ally. I’ll help you dig holes and bury bodies. I’ll help wash any amount of blood from your hands and I promise to always be there when you come home at night. I love you with everything that I am.” I slide the ring on to his finger.

Jack clears his throat. “Well, can’t say I’ve ever heard vows like that before. Under the power vested in me from the state of Nevada, I pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride.”

CJ wastes no time in wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me up tight against him.

“I love you,” he whispers right before his lips brush against mine. His tongue pushes into my mouth and then he’s picking me up off the floor.

When my feet hit the ground again, CJ pulls away but I’m not ready to let this kiss end, so I drag his mouth back to mine for another minute.

“I can’t believe we’re married,” I say when I finally break the kiss.

“Mrs. Bianchi, you’re now mine. Forever.”

A huge smile spreads across my face. I did it. I let myself have something that I’ve always wanted. I don’t know what the future holds. But perhaps I need to start living for today and not ten years from now.

“You know that makes you mine too,” I tell him. “Hearts are going to be breaking all over this city when the news spreads about you being officially off the market.”

“Doubtful. Besides, your heart is the only one I care about.” He leans in and kisses me again.

“We just need to sign the paperwork, and then we’ll have it finished off for you,” Jack reminds us.

“Oh shit.” My eyes widen.

“What?” CJ asks.

“Ah, I need to make a phone call.” Finding my bag I left on a chair, I grab my phone and hit Alistair’s number.

“Daniella? You okay?” he asks.

“Hi. Sorry, did I wake you?”

“It’s okay. What’s going on?”

“I have a question, a legal question.”