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He’s like an apex predator when he looks like that. I get a half fear that he’s about to tear me to pieces but then he opens his mouth and all he says is, “Come for me.”
Who am I to disobey? It’s like the order is what my body needs. It tips me over the edge and a climax whips through me, my hips bucking in place as I let out a deep moan of satisfaction.
My limbs are still shaking when he slides out of me. He kisses his way up my body, ending with a probing of my mouth that leaves me breathless once more.
He’s barely finished kissing me when he gets to his feet. “I need to prepare some things,” he says. “Do not leave the penthouse. Got it?”
“Uh huh,” I manage to say, still dopey from the orgasm he just gave me.
He leans down and kisses my cheek. “Be back soon.”
Then he’s gone. I close my eyes and I end up asleep for a couple of hours. It’s the most comfortable sleep I’ve had in a long time.
When I wake up it’s half past two and I’m ravenous. I try calling Cara but she doesn’t answer. I leave her a voicemail telling her to call me before I explore the kitchen cupboards, making myself something to eat.
I’m sitting down with it when Nico comes in, throwing the door open like he’s breaking into a medieval castle. “Get into your wedding dress,” he says, walking through to the bedroom.
“What? Why?”
He leans back out. “Because we’re getting married in an hour.”
“I thought you said it was tomorrow.”
“It was but this way we fox Giovanni. I’ve pulled some strings. Get ready.”
“But I’m not ready. What about my hair? My makeup?”
“None of that matters. It’s just a legal ceremony. We just need to say the right words and sign the paperwork.”
“Is that all it is to you? A bit of paperwork?”
“Just be ready to leave in twenty minutes.”
He ducks back into the bedroom. I open one suitcase after another until I find the wedding dress. I pull it out and look at it. I’m about to get married. To a Casella.
I should feel anger. Hatred maybe. But instead I can’t help feeling excited. I’m going to be married to Nico. We’re going to have a child together. We’ll be forever connected.
As long as we both live long enough, of course.
The specter of his brother hangs over me like the ghost at the feast. At any moment, he could ruin things.
I manage to get the dress on with some effort. It’s tight but it fits me in the places where it should. I take a look at myself in the bathroom mirror. I sure do look like a bride.
I rummage in my cases for a hairbrush and some makeup. The clock’s ticking but if I’m doing this, I’m going to look good.
“Time’s up,” Nico says, heading for the door just as I step out of the bathroom. “Let’s go get hitched.”
Thirty
Nico
* * *
We get to the church Matteo has booked for us. It’s one of the family ones but I’ve not been here for years. Down a backstreet and far from most of our businesses. I doubt Giovanni has ever been here.
It’s got everything I need for the occasion. A clear line of fire down the street outside and plenty of exits.
We head inside and the priest is waiting for us. “You ready to do this?” he asks. Behind him an elderly woman with dyed red hair is playing the organ like it’s a Sunday service.
