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When he’s done kissing me, he turns his attention to Eden. “You must be Nina’s best friend, Eden. I’ve heard a lot about you. I know you think this is crazy, and it is. But just know, I will never do anything to hurt Nina. I love her too much to ever hurt her. I promise that, no matter what happens, I will always protect her, just as you would.”
He pulls Eden into a wet hug even though she is still wearing her expensive suit, which I’m going to have to ask about later.
Eden looks to me as Heath hugs her. “Okay, I approve.”
My face lights up, and I wrap my arms around both of them.
“I still think you are both crazy, but if I’ve learned anything from my years with Nina, it’s not to fight when she gets a harebrained idea. She’s going to do it anyway, so I might as well go along for the crazy ride.”
Eden pulls away from our group hug, so it’s just Heath wrapping his arms around my shoulders.
“But, if you hurt her or don’t do everything possible to protect her, I will come after you, Heath. You will be a dead man. You understand?”
Heath smiles and looks down at me. “I’ll protect her, no matter who or what comes after her.”
I can breathe a little easier for the first time in seven years. Because I’m no longer running alone. Now, I have a partner I love, who will fight with me, no matter what happens. I have someone on my side, and I plan on fighting anyone who stands in our way.
11
Arlo
I’ve waited seven long years for this. At the same time, I’ve fought for seven years to keep this from happening. I wasn’t strong enough. I lost the first round. But I won’t lose again. I can’t.
“Can I trust you to bring her back here safely?” Matteo asks.
I feel my anger boiling already, and I haven’t even left yet. I just have to focus on what the end of this year is going to bring. I’m going to finally have what is mine. What I was destined to have. I won’t have to fight anymore.
“Yes,” I snap, not able to keep the anger out of my voice.
Matteo laughs. “This is going to be fun, isn’t it?”
I glare at him.
“Do you think this is a joke, Matteo?” our father, Enrico Carini, says.
“No, I think it’s funny though. I want this just as badly as Arlo does. Just because I don’t mope with the same intensity that he does, it doesn’t mean that I’m not taking this seriously.”
Our father nods. “Good.”
* * *
Miami.
I was on a plane for ten hours to get to her. And, of all the wonderful places in the US where she could be—New York, LA, Seattle, Rockport—she had to choose the hottest damn place in the country in the summertime.
I started sweating profusely the second I got off the plane in my dark suit. And I haven’t stopped since.
If she wanted to get married on a beach, she should have gone to Italy or Greece; both are beautiful this time of year. Not Miami.
I should have gone and gotten her when she was hiding in Boston. It’s not my favorite US city, but at least it isn’t as hot as Miami.
I walk over to the front desk in the hotel where Nina is staying. It’s adequate but not nice enough for a wedding.
“Excuse me, where is the Young and West wedding taking place today?” I ask the young woman standing behind the desk.
She stares at me for far longer than she should. I’m used to women devouring me with their eyes. I’m used to the awkwardness that follows. But I don’t have time to deal with this woman today.
“The wedding?” I ask again, demanding her to answer me.
