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I turned around, heading toward the door as Carrie opened it.
And in those few seconds, I realized just how precious life really was.
Someone would die today.
And I believed it would be me.
* * *
Gabriel
“You look nervous,” Bruno said as he approached.
“I just want this over with.” I hated the pomp and circumstance, including having a rehearsal for a ceremony that I doubted would take place.
Of my design.
It was a dangerous game to play, but the mysterious bastard’s hand needed to be forced. We’d faced two weeks of basic silence on the streets, and the business losses were getting out of hand. We’d expedited the wedding in hopes that the bastard would reveal himself. I almost laughed thinking about how Sarah had been involved every step of the way. I’d never thought she’d become my partner in a dangerous scenario, but she’d insisted.
The woman was strong as steel.
He smirked then slipped his hand inside his jacket, pulling out a small flask. “I brought this for you just in case.”
Huffing, I glanced at it, starting to refuse, but right now a shot sounded like exactly what I needed. After taking a long pull, I noticed Rick as he approached, a huge smile on his face.
“You’re late,” I barked.
He held up his hands, giving me the onceover. “Hey, man. Someone has to work around here.” When he offered his hand for a shake, I accepted, glad he’d been able to make arrangements to be here, pushing off a well-deserved vacation.
So he’d told me more than once.
When he grabbed the flask out of my hand to take a swig, then returned it, I didn’t object. He’d taken on a lion’s share of my clients, as if he wasn’t getting off doing so.
“Where’s the lovely bride?” he asked.
“With her sister.” I checked my watch and took another swig. Then another.
“I’ll see what I can find out,” Bruno told me. “Just try and enjoy this, Don Giordano. This is a special time for you.”
He’d stepped up to the plate, allowing Dillon to remain as Sarah’s fulltime bodyguard, something she loathed.
“I can’t believe you’re really going through with this,” Rick said in passing.
“Call it karma.”
“Call it kismet.”
I threw him a look and we both laughed.
As my mother approached, I stiffened. I’d noticed her memory loss in the last few days, the questioning look in her eyes as confusion set in. At least Pops had made good on his promise to her, booking several trips over the next few months.
“I’m proud of you, my beautiful boy,” she said as she wrapped her arms around me.
I held her close, kissing the top of her head. “You always wanted me happy.”
“People rarely get second chances.”
“I know.”
