Page 174 of Shades of Loyalty
“I’m your husband now,” he mutters against my lips. “You’re not getting rid of me.”
“Wasn’t planning on it.” I grin, breathless, already dizzy fromeverything. From him.
The cheers erupt. Loud. Overwhelming. Real.
I barely see the priest announcing us officially, but I hear Mary clapping louder than anyone.
When I glance down at her, she’s beaming so bright it physically hurts. Her little hands are in the air like she’s won something huge.
Maybe she has. We all have.
Because this? This isoursnow.
“Husband?”
“Yes, my wife?”
I barely can stop myself from launching at him. Fuck, it’s been what, four hours since Katya and Victoria put me into this dress?
It’s getting way too tight.
As tight as I am for him.
… Fine, I’ll stop.
Regardless, the air is getting too hot, too airy, too stuffed. Breathing feels like a chore at the moment, and I swear, I need to get out of this dress soon. I can’t take it any longer.
“My mom said you helped her fly here?” I ask, my voice soft and gentle. He nods within a second.
“I paid for her ticket, don’t worry. Her hotel is paid for, as well.”
I smile. “You know you didn’t have to, right?”
“Are you kidding?” He scoffs, wrapping his arms around my waist. “You’re my wife now. I am taking care of youandyour family. And I knew you’d need her here.” He pauses for a second. “All of us do.”
I gulp. “I’m sorry they can’t be here today.”
“Don’t be sorry, pretty. It’s not your fault.”
“It’s not your fault, either. Remember that. Nothing that happened was your fault.”
He looks at my eyes, pain in them. “I could’ve saved them by finding out who was behind everything earlier.”
“None of us knew, hubby. It wasn’t your fault. Trust me with this.”
“I wish they could’ve been here. But I know they couldn’t, so I felt like… All I could do was make sure your mother is here.”
I smile before I hold his face in my hands, kissing him gently. His lips move against mine, both of us stuck in our own world until a familiar voice breaks us apart.
“Mommy? Daddy?”
Both of us look down at her, his hands still wrapped around my waist and mine resting on his chest. “Yes, baby?” I ask.
“Vicky said Enzo and I can have a sleepover tonight with lots of movies and snacks! Can I? Please? Pleaseee?”
Daniel’s smirk is obvious. Way too obvious.
Jesus, I am glad that Mary is still 6 and not 10 or something. I am glad that she has no idea what’s going on in her dad’s mind right now.
