Page 41 of Marrying the Enemy

Dom held out his hand in a silent command that she come to his side, which she did, but not because she needed his protection.

“What,” she said in a mild voice. “You asked me to do this.”

“I asked you to consider it.” He glared at Dom. “Why the rush?” He snapped a look of fresh shock at Evie. “Are you pregnant? Did you two sleep together in Australia?”

“When have I ever asked you about your sex life?” Evie snapped right back at him. “I really need you to check this sexism of yours, Nico. It’s 2015.”

“No, it’s—” His mouth tightened and her brows went up. “Are you pregnant?” he demanded.

“Still none of your business,” she said coldly. “But, no. I’m not. Although, people will probably presume that, won’t they?” She wrinkled her nose as she looked up at Dom.

“Dad already does,” Nico warned. “He called me yesterday when the engagement rumors started.”

“What did you tell him?” Her hand tightened in Dom’s.

“That you were on your way back to New York and that you and I would come see them today to explain.”

“You’ll have to manage that on your own,” Dom interjected. “We’re leaving right after the ceremony for our honeymoon. We can only stay away a week since Evie has a job interview next Wednesday that she can’t miss.”

“Where?” Nico frowned at her.

“I don’t know. Did I miss a call?” She looked up at him in confusion.

“WBE has three executive positions coming available this year. One starts in a couple of weeks, but they could all benefit from your skill set. I’d like you to meet with our hiring team and consider whether any appeal. It’s not nepotism.” He turned that onto Nico. “Or a continuation of our rivalry, although I think we both operate best with a healthy sense of competition. No, I genuinely think you have slept on her potential. I refuse to make the same mistake. Ah. Here’s the officiant,” he noted as the elevator pinged once more.

His housekeeper hurried from the kitchen with the bouquet and a broad smile.

“Evelina,” Nico said, quiet and urgent. “Are you sure about this?”

She searched Dom’s expression. Her dark brows were lowered to a tense, conflicted line as though searching for something in him that he very much feared he didn’t have.

When she nodded jerkily, he relaxed.

Moments later, they were repeating the words their officiant provided. The vows were taken straight from city hall, short and sweet.

“Domenico, do you solemnly promise to love, honor and respect Evelina for as long as you both shall live?”

“I do.”

“Evelina, do you solemnly promise to love, honor and respect Domenico for as long as you both shall live?”

“I do.” Her voice was quiet, but steady. Her hand was soft and warm when he threaded her wedding band onto it.

Dom had never imagined wearing a ring could feel any more profound than wearing a tie pin or a wristwatch. This whole day should have felt as though he was only collecting one more person onto his list of dependents, but he somehow knew that no matter whether that gold band sat against his skin or in a safety deposit box, he was changed by it. Not branded or bound, but linked to Eve in a way that defied logic or description.

“By the power vested in me, I pronounce you married. You may kiss!”

As Dom took her in his arms, she tensed slightly and flashed an apprehensive look up at him. Anxious tears threatened to dampen her lashes.

Don’t let my brother see what I’m like with you.

He heard her voice in his head as clearly as though she’d spoken the words aloud.

Dom angled so his shoulder blocked Nico’s view of her. He cupped her cheek and pressed a kiss across her trembling mouth, holding there in soft reassurance. Her passion was for him and him alone, not something to be put on display for anyone else to witness.

But even in that brief kiss, need and desire danced toward urgency. Her lips pulled at his with invitation, tempting him to linger and feed the fire.

Soon, he promised, keeping his arm around her as they broke apart and smiled for his mother’s snapshot. Moments later, the paperwork was finished. Dom texted his assistant to release the statement they’d agreed upon and carried their luggage into the elevator while Evie changed into travel clothes.

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