Page 7 of Mafia Wedding

Kayra had just made an announcement that was the equivalent of dropping a nuclear bomb on her niece, but the girl had simply taken it by stride and was now accepting everyone's well wishes like their upcoming marriage was truly the best thing to happen to her.

Are you really as strong as you seem, glikiá mou?

Bailey had only been six or seven years of age when she was orphaned, and around twelve when she had made the choice to live with her theía. As to whether she knew something about Kayra wasn't quite right before or after she made the decision...

He had a feeling it was only a matter of time before he'd know the answer to this for himself.

But in the meantime—-

Astro Petinos had just asked to speak with him in private, and Stelios was not surprised to hear the skepticism coloring the older man's voice as he spoke.

"Are you absolutely certain you want to do this, Stelios? War is guaranteed to break out if this marriage were to end in divorce."

"Marrying Bailey isn't enough to repay what I owe your family. I give you my word, Astro. Your granddaughter will always be safe with me."

"Bailey will take care of you, too," the older man promised gruffly. "She's a very special girl. You'll know this for yourself, hopefully sooner than later."

"Of course." It was the only polite thing to say, even though Stelios privately thought the words were more the opinion of an affectionate grandfather than fact.

A matriarch seemed to have his bride-to-be cornered when Stelios found his way back to her, and she nearly had him blinking when the loveliest smile suddenly broke over her lips.

"You're just in time," the girl exclaimed.

Was he now?

"Theía Helene was just reminding me about the deadline for our marriage."

Ah.

He knew all about Helene Cholevas from Kayra, and since it was as good a time as any to make some new enemies—-

"I've been wanting to talk to someone about that," Stelios said silkily. "Are the Familia's elders aware that our state requires a three-day waiting period between applying for a marriage license and holding a marriage ceremony?"

Helene's face turned blank while his bride-to-be appeared surprised. "Seriously?"

"It makes things rather...interesting," Stelios drawled. "Doesn't it?"

"You'll have to talk to Astro about that," the older woman said coolly. "We were very clear about the deadline, and he made no objections at all—-"

"My apologies, Helene. I didn't mean to sound I have any objections since I don't. The deadline may be someone's attempt to make trouble, but I'm rather thankful for it, actually. It's been a while since I last flew anywhere, and my wedding is certainly a good reason as any to take some time off."

Stelios smiled politely at the older woman. "If you haven't anything planned this afternoon, perhaps you'd like to join us for a quick trip to Georgia? We'll be taking my private jet, and Judge Simmons has also cleared his schedule for the rest of the day."

THE NEXT SIXTY MINUTES went by in a blur of paperwork and planning for contingencies. Helene struck him as being unnecessarily petty, and since that made her unpredictable in his book—-

"I finally get why Theía approves of you."

It was the girl's first time to speak ever since they boarded the jet, and since old habits died hard, Stelios turned up the charm like he always did when speaking to people he didn't quite trust.

"Dare I hope it has something to do with our looks?"

A smile slowly formed over his bride-to-be's lips...and Stelios felt as if he was hit by a bolt of lightning. What the hell?

"Theía is actually more likely to distrust you because of your looks, so no...it's not that. Rather, I think it's because both of you—-"

"Don't hold back now," Stelios said dryly.

"—-are control freaks."

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