Page 66 of The Enforcer

I wanted to grill him as to why, but this wasn’t the right time.

“It was a crazy decision. I hope it’s one I won’t regret.”

He stopped us from continuing on, shifting so he could face me. “I don’t want you to have any regrets, Valencia. My suggestion is we simply enjoy the weekend. Neither one of us can promise the other anything we don’t have control over.”

“Wise words, Mr. Nomikos.”

He rubbed his hand down my arm, crowding closer. Just as his lips touched mine, we heard a shrill whistle.

We both instantly jerked away as if we’d been caught doing something like teenagers in a closet. I laughed as I felt a rush of heat.

He chuckled. “Well, I guess the priest has arrived. This should be interesting. Come on.”

As he escorted me up the line of stairs leading to the house, I had a sudden feeling that bothered me. I even stopped and turned, staring out at the ocean.

“What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know,” I whispered.

He was instantly on edge and watching him reach for a weapon was a stark, horrible reminder that I wasn’t just playing with fire. I was already inside a burning building.

“I feel like someone is watching me.”

“Do you see the tall structure to the right, the one to the left?” He stepped down one tread, scanning the shoreline.

“Yes.” I hadn’t noticed before, but they appeared like stone lighthouses.

“Those are manned lookout points where our soldiers can see anyone attempting to come close to the island either by boat or even with scuba gear. They have infrared goggles and enough firepower to light up Greece in its entirety. In addition, we have soldiers protecting the perimeter. More will be here tomorrow since we’ll have dignitaries, celebrities, and members of the Sicilian mafia.”

“Is that supposed to make me feel any better?” He rattled off the guest list as if I wouldn’t be bothered with it at all.

“A small group, Valencia. Stop worrying.”

“Wait. This is your life, not mine. I’m not certain I can mingle with an Italian Don.”

“Don Coppola is quite the character and we owe him a significant debt of gratitude. He is an honored guest and not attending to cause any issues.”

“Are there other mafia people coming?”

“We’re not all that friendly with most crime syndicates. It’s possible the Armenian leader will attend, but I haven’t heard.”

“So there will be weapons at the event.”

He kept us walking and soon we were on the grounds leading to the house. I noticed several people had already taken their places. “Yes, at all times. Why?”

“Are you expecting violence?”

“Not at all.”

“Oh, so this is just a typical business day.”

His laugh was strangled, but he brushed hair from my face as if the wind wouldn’t keep blowing it. “I never lied to you about who I was.”

“No, but you also didn’t provide me with many details. I don’t know what I was expecting, but to know you’re forced to keep guards surrounding your property while two people you care about are getting married, and there are kids here, well, that’s a little tough to swallow.”

He turned his head. “I don’t know how to make this any easier for you. We are a regular family. We enjoy celebrations and birthdays, cookouts and movie nights. We were normal kids playing soccer and arguing about curfew. We argue today but we’re very close. You saw how my mother was. She wants this wedding perfect.”

“I just don’t know if I’m cut out for this.”

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