Page 27 of Now and Forever

Elizondro was younger than Patron, but no less powerful. His and Ana’s marriage united the two cartels. It was no wonder Ana shared a fortress with him. He was renowned for his cruelty and wealth. Thankfully, it appeared Ana only experienced one of those behaviors. Elizondro took my hand and lifted my knuckles to his lips. “Hermosa.”

Dario’s body tensed at my side. The power at this wedding was reason enough why I should have worn my thigh holster. Retrieving my hand, I laid it on Dario’s arm. “Dario, this is my friend Ana and her husband?—”

“Herrera,” he said with a nod, the muscles in his jaw tight. I noticed that he didn’t offer his hand to shake. “An unexpected surprise.”

“I couldn’t deny my wife’s request to attend her friend’s wedding.”

Dario forced a tight smile. “I’m sure I’ll have the same problem—denying my wife.”

I’d wanted to ask Ana about her children, but the mood was taut enough to shatter. I was grateful for the next round of guests. Vincent’s consigliere, Tommaso Moretti, introduced himself and his wife, Gia. My aunts and uncles, as well as Dario’s, congratulated us. The women hugged me. Some of Dario’s uncles’ leers made me squirm. The procession continued as my feet ached. Finally, we reached the end of the line and Dario led me to the head table on the large terrace.

As we were taking our seats, a chant came from the guests as others clinked their wine glasses with silverware. “Bacio. Bacio.”

Others chanted “Beso. Beso.”

They were repeating the word ‘kiss’ in both Italian and Spanish, neither side wanting to be outdone.

Looking up at Dario, I stiffened, wondering what he would do.

“The first of many,” he said with a grin before leaning down, his lips again taking mine.

The guests cheered.

“Welcome, sister,” Dante said, stepping around Dario’s shoulder. It was the first time I’d formally met Dario’s brother. The Lucianos didn’t favor one son over the other in the department of looks. Dante was also handsome, in a more youthful and easygoing way than Dario.

“Dante,” I replied. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”

His grin quirked. “It will be hard to avoid me.”

Dario smiled. “Dante and I work rather closely. I’m afraid you’ll be sick of him in no time.”

The wedding party settled into our seats as the waiters and waitresses filled our glasses with champagne. Dante was the first to stand, offering a speech that basically said it was about time Dario tied the knot. Camila’s speech was more sentimental. I fought back tears as she talked about missing me when I move away and about our friendship as sisters. Papá spoke and then Vincent, both mentioning the newfound association of our two families. For a moment, I wondered if Patron would stand. He and Josefina were seated with my parents. A collective breath was taken as the priest offered the final speech and prayer blessing our union and our meal.

Waiters descended upon the guests, delivering the first course as well as refilling glasses. The menu favored traditional Italian foods, making me wonder if Patron or others in the cartel found that offensive. I tried to keep my attention on Camila, afraid I wouldn’t be able to eat if I thought too much about Dario. It seemed he was preoccupied with Dante. More than once I heard Aléjandro’s name mentioned.

“Is everything okay?” Camila asked.

“Who is the redheaded girl with Aléjandro?”

She looked out over the tables. “I don’t think I’ve seen her before. Why?”

I kept my voice low. “I got the feeling Dario wasn’t happy to see her with Aléjandro.”

Camila lifted her glass of champagne. Drinking age wasn’t a factor when you were surrounded by criminals. She lowered her volume. “Maybe Dario is all right. He has a good sense about him. Aléjandro is a pig.”

We clinked our glasses.

The sound multiplied as more glasses rang with strikes from silverware and chants again began. Dario turned my way. The inscrutability of his gaze appeared to be changing. Perhaps thawing. With each kiss, I saw…could it be desire?

Chefs appeared before multiple tables, each table having a different entree. We watched as lamb, veal, beef, and pork were carved. Dario was served first and then me. By the time our plates were filled, Dario laid his hand on my leg beneath the table. “If you eat now,” he whispered, “we can avoid late-night trips to the kitchen.”

Looking up, I took in his features. “I enjoyed last night’s snack.”

“I plan to enjoy tonight’s even more.”

I shuddered as Mia’s comment came back. ‘Men like it bald. No hair in their mouth.’

Dario tipped his forehead to mine. “You just turned pale and earlier you were trembling. Don’t tell me you’re scared of me.”

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