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The crowd erupts into cheers when Salvatore takes my hand and makes a fist, raising our joined hands like a victorious boxer. Romeo kisses my cheek, then walks away. Seeing his retreat pings my heart, as if he’s turning me away from the Rossi family.
I stare at the crowd in front of us. I look to see the rest of my family, but only Romeo has come, for reasons I don’t understand. Maybe it was less risky.
I look at the faces of his family and guests. I don’t know them, but I already know they aren’tmyfamily. They aren’t the Rossis.
No one is.
I hear a startlingchuf chufin the air above us and quickly look up. Everyone does, as a helicopter circles above us. When I look at Salvatore, however, he’s not surprised. He only takes me by the elbow and walks away from the crowd.
“Uh. What’s up with that?” I ask him. “News footage? Someone getting a ride somewhere?”
“Changed my mind on the honeymoon,” he mutters, as his mother rises from her seat and marches over in front of us to block our way. Her pale skin seems paler than ever, though bright splotches of red unnaturally dot her cheeks. Girlfriend needs a makeup artist.
“You can’t mean this, Salvatore,” she says in a tone that implieshe will not.
But I just watched this man command several hundred people to sit, and I just watched several hundred people obey him like well-trained dogs. I believe whatever it is he wants to do, he can, and he will.
Honeymoon.He said honeymoon. He wants us away from the crowd. My cheeks flush pink when I think of the implications…
“I’ve about had it with thecan’tsandshouldn’ts,” he mutters. “My wife and I are taking a short honeymoon. The location will be closely guarded and we’ll return in a week. You will not hinder us. No one will.” He looks over at me. “You look pouty, Marialena.”
“I wanted that cake,” I say with a frown. “It’s chocolate. And those finger sandwiches are my favorite.”
When I see the note of disgust on his mother’s face, I put a little whine behind my complaint. “They had little wedges ofcheesecake,Salvatore. Mini appetizers and those twice-baked potatoes slathered in butter and cheese. Mmmm.” My stomach actually growls. “And did I see chicken alfredo? Crusty bread with whipped butter?Tiramisu?” I sigh.
His mother doesn’t even try to hide her disapproval. Fine with me. I’ll eat her food, too.
“Fill up a plate of food for my wife,” Salvatore orders someone to our right. “Everything. A generous amount.”
My wife.The very words terrify me.
“Wait, what about you?” I ask.
“There’s plenty of good food where I’m bringing you.”
“We’re leaving now? I haven’t packed yet!”
“It’s been done already.”
Of course it has. He’s planned this all out.
“Why did you change your mind on the honeymoon?” I ask.
His mother cocks a brow at him and crosses her arms over her chest. “Why, indeed?”
“On second thought, don’t answer,” I say when I think about his possible response. He only clenches his jaw and holds me closer to him, marching me toward the waiting helicopter.
Cheers erupt around us. A tight circle of guards waits for us as we climb aboard. I feel a bit shell-shocked and bewildered as I look out at the mass of nameless faces before us. In the distance, the flash of red and white indicates police are dealing with the brawl on the shore, as if they couldn’t care less that Tampa’s most wanted are wining and dining only yards away from them.
In the midst of the chaotic swarm of faces, I catch a pair of eyes I know so well. Romeo holds a glass of champagne in one hand, his other hand tucked into his pocket.
As the door to the helicopter closes, he raises his glass and winks at me. I wink back and mouth,I love you.
I close my eyes against a wave of emotion. My moment of sadness is fleeting, though, as my husband wraps his hands around my waist and drags me over to him. He sits heavily in one of the two seats in the back, the pilot sitting up front.
I knew the interior of a helicopter was tiny, but this is something else.I’m on his lap.We’ve barely touched before now. He’s kissed me, but other than that, he’s hardly touched me, and now… now I’m his. Through this strange, fast-paced, shocking turn of events…I’m his.His wife. And he’s already made it clear he expects me to fulfill my vows to him, not the least of which is sharing his bed.
It very well might be themostimportant thing to him.
