Page 108 of To Have and To Hold

“Isabella Luciano.”He used his father voice, the one that came out when he was upset about something. “Come into this suite right now. You and I are going to talk. Aurora and the kids are on their way with Sal and Giulia.”

I sucked in a breath, refusing to shed a tear. “I would like to see you tomorrow for the ceremony. I was hoping you’d walk me down the aisle.” A red hue filled his face as capillaries glistened in his complexion. “It’s all right if you don’t. Maybe I’ll askel Patr?n.”

Papà cursed and reached for my arm. His grip tightened as he pulled me toward the suite. I was a wishing bone with Papà on one side and Horace on the other. The earlier silence was gone, replaced with shouting. Guns were raised. It was mayhem until I heard another voice I recognized.

“Get your fucking hands off my wife.”

My heart skipped a beat as I turned to see Em walking toward us with a weapon in his outstretched steady hand.

Papà cursed and released my arm, pulling his own gun.

Em pushed me back toward Horace. My bodyguard tried to make me walk away, but I couldn’t. My father and lifelong bodyguard were in a showdown with my husband and a cartel guard.

“Mrs. Ruiz, I need to get you to safety.”

“Papà, this isn’t right,” I called. “I love Emiliano Ruiz. We’re married. I want you to accept it.”

Finally, he lowered his gun and told Rafaele to do the same. Ignoring Em, he turned my way. “How? How could you embarrass the family like this?” He motioned to Em. “With him. I told you what the cartel does. You married a criminal—a murderer.”

Before my husband could respond, I stepped up to Em, held tight to his arm, and lifted my chin. “I married a man who tells me the truth. When I first got here, Emiliano was honest with me about what he does and about the cartel.” I looked my father in the eye. “In eighteen years, you were never honest about what you do, about what the Luciano famiglia does.”

“You were always too young to understand.”

“I’m not too young to marry. The ceremony is tomorrow at one o’clock. I still want you to be there.” I turned my attention to the gun in his grasp at his side. “Just don’t bring the gun.” Em and Diego lowered their weapons. “Tell Mom and everyone that I’ll see them tomorrow. I don’t care what she wears, but I’d like Noemi to stand up with me.” With that, Emiliano and I turned and walked toward the elevators.

Diego and Horace watched Papà and Rafaele until we turned the corner into the elevator bay. Em wrapped his arm around me, and I leaned against his chest.

“He couldn’t take me,” I said, “because you did what you promised to do.”

He squeezed me tighter. “Wrap you in my arms.” He lifted my chin. “I’m so sorry, Isabella.”

I shook my head. “Don’t be. I’m where I want to be and with the man I want to be with.” Looking at the elevators, I asked, “How did you get up here without a key?”

My husband just grinned.

That evening, Viviana cooked a delicious rehearsal dinner even though we didn’t need to rehearse. Em and I were already married.El Patr?nand Mia’s home was filled with people who a month earlier I would never have spoken to but who welcomed me and showed me the true meaning of family.

I stood back against the dining room wall and stared at the room. Em and Rei were talking.El Patr?nseemed more relaxed than I’d ever seen him. He had Jorge in his arms as he talked with Andrés and Nick’s father, Nicolas. Mia was helping Viviana prepare dessert in the kitchen. Valentina and Nicolas’s wife, Maria, were sitting at the kitchen island with glasses of wine. Liliana was deep in conversation with Sofia and Sofia’s cousin Mireya.

I hoped they’d work things out.

When I turned to the pool deck, I saw Jasmine sitting by herself in one of the outdoor chairs. I walked toward her. “Do you mind if I sit out here?”

Her blue eyes met mine. “I don’t mind.”

“Are you all right? I mean, you’re by yourself.”

“I’m good,” she said. “I’m processing news about someone and…” She inhaled. “I’m sorry if I’m not festive.”

I tried a different subject. “Is it true? Em told me that you and Rei are expecting.”

Her cheeks turned as red as her hair and her smile grew. “We are. I’m just out of the first trimester. Catalina tells me the nausea will get better.”

I scrunched my nose. “That doesn’t sound fun.” I took a breath. “You know, coming out here—to San Diego—has opened my eyes to a lot of things.”

She looked out over the ocean. “Yeah, it’s beautiful out here.”

“I’m sorry for the way I’ve treated you,” I blurted out.

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