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Joaquin leers like Chellie is standing next to me. He even licks his lips. I keep telling myself not to take the bait. Instead, I walk to my car. I paid extra for the doors to unlock silently without the lights flashing. When I open it, I check to be sure the dome light goes on. It does.
“Give yourtíomy apologies for confusing his men with ones who matter. Move or I will drive over you.”
I start my car and pull forward. They move, but they keep their guns raised until I’m out of sight. I glance back once before pulling onto the street. I look around, and I breathe a little easier. I survived to fight another day. I head to my parents’, and traffic is actually on my side. I’m there faster than I expected.
“Chellie?”
I call out to her as I step into the foyer.
“Enzo!”
I look up to the second-floor landing and see her as she comes down the hall. She must have been in what I now consider our room when we’re here. She races down the stairs and practically leaps down the last three and into my arms. I crush her against me, my ribs and chest silently screaming with pain. I need to give my body a fucking break. That ninety percent feels like about thirty right now. But all is right in the world again.
We both sigh as our lips meld together. I stroke hair back from her face, so I can palm her cheek and jaw. Her hand cups my neck, avoiding the bruises I know are forming on my face. Either she hasn’t noticed, or she’s too relieved to see me to care right now. We keep kissing until we accept we aren’t alone. Before I put her down, she presses her lips near my ear.
“Do you really want to get married sooner rather than later?”
“Yes. Absolutely.”
I don’t bother whispering. She leans back and beams at me. But her brow furrows for a moment as she takes in the damage Finn did. She feathers her fingers over my cheeks near my ears, staying away from my cuts and bruises. I offer her a lopsided grin, hoping that eases her fears. She gives me a little nod then matches my smile.
“I might have gotten a little bored at work yesterday. I might have invited the girls and my sister to go wedding dress shopping with me. I might have bought one. They might have picked out gowns, too. Your mom might have told me you already own a tux and so does every man in your family. I might have convinced your priest to let us get married on Saturday without all the premarital classes. I might have promised we’d donate a rather substantial basket to their next silent auction.”
“I might have been thinking about whisking you away to elope on Saturday. I might have been planning to book a honeymoon tonight. I might have been planning to call movers. I might have been hoping to have our wedding in the backyard here.” I whisper the next part. “I might be stripping you naked the moment we get home. And I might be fucking you all night.”
“Those last two can’t be ‘mights.’”
She looks earnestly at me as she shakes her head. Then she giggles and cups my cheeks loosely before diving in for another kiss. I pick her up, so I don’t have to bend over. My fucking ribs aren’t happy right now. We rest our foreheads together when I lean forward, after putting her back on her feet.
“Mama? Can Sera make a wedding cake by Saturday?”
“Saturday?”
I hear several voices mutter. Chellie and I look up at the entire family that’s gathered in the foyer. They’re all there, even Pia, Natalia, and Petra.
“Michelle, may we be flower girls?”
I have never seen Pia look bashful a day in her life, but I can tell how badly she wants my soon-to-be wife to say yes. Chellie leans forward and smiles.
“I suppose it’s still a surprise if I tell you now. I already picked out dresses for you and your sister.”
“Really?”
Both girls bounce on their toes, and it makes me think about daughters Chellie and I might have one day. I look at Luca, who’s holding his infant daughter. I glance at Sera and Carmine, who I know are starting to try. When I look at Maria and Matteo, then Sinead and Gabriele, I get the sense both couples are waiting a little longer. But I doubt it’ll be that far into the distance. Then I look at Marco. The last pillar standing after the mighty have fallen. He grins at me, and I can only imagine the bachelor party he’s already hatching.
It's only after I’ve looked at my siblings and cousins that I realize Chellie’s parents are standing off to the side with my parents and aunts and uncles. I slide my hand into Chellie’s and lead her toward them. I don’t know much of what they did for the past three days beyond staying with Uncle Salvatore and Aunt Sylvia at night. They still went to work, but Luca assigned them a detail with four men each. Chellie said it didn’t seem to faze either of them. I guess they dealt with guards when they first got married because of their remaining ties to the mob.
“Welcome to our family, Lorenzo.”
“Thank you, Mr.—”
“Henry. You’re going to be my son-in-law in three days.”
“Thank you, Henry.”
“And I’m Maeve. I’m sorry that I was so quick to judge.”
“Chellie’s your daughter. I would have wondered why you didn’t.”
