Page 103 of Born a Queen

Chapter Fifty-Five

"How do I look?" Raina asked, turning to face her father.

Joe blinked rapidly and then ran a finger under one of his eyelids. "Like a queen." His voice was choked as he spoke.

He leaned down and kissed Raina's forehead before pulling the veil over top of the crown on her head and covering her face.

Raina's wedding day was an elaborate affair. Between Diane, Cassie and Vee, Raina barely had to lift a finger for it. Her gorgeous Marchesa gown had arrived two weeks earlier and fit her like a glove. It had a classic bell skirt with a sweetheart neckline and short sleeves. Diane had sewn the veil herself using a crown that Vee provided.

Cassie had harassed every flower shop in Miami until she finally settled on one that could supply her with everything she demanded. She wanted roses in every colour. There were blue, purple, red, pink, white and even black roses. The colourful combination was surprisingly stunning and elegant. There were two sections of chairs, one on either side of the aisle that Raina and Joe would walk down.

Moments earlier, Raina's bridesmaids had made their way down the aisle; Cassie, Angela and one of Mateo’s sisters who flew in from Venezuela. On the other side stood Mateo, looking handsome and regal in his tuxedo. Beside him, standing tall, was his best man Sotza. Beside Sotza was Danny and Giovanni.

It was a beautiful summer day and everyone on their guest list seemed bright and happy. Many of them had already been through Raina's bedroom to wish her luck. Mateo's mother, Ana Victoria, had brought Raina a small spray of blue flowers which they pinned to Raina’s skirt so she could wear something blue.

Raina hadn't had much time to spend with Mateo's family. They were polite but distant, a trait Mateo shared. It saddened Raina that Mateo wasn’t close with his family. Circumstance had kept them separated over the years. He'd been busy working up in the Venezuelan mountains and flying around the world securing Sotza’s investments. He also hadn’t wanted his lifestyle to put their lives in danger or put them under the scrutiny of authorities.

Joe and Diane had flown in the week before, along with Cassie and Noah. They had all accepted Raina’s and Mateo's invitation to stay at the mansion, which was large enough to hold many houseguests. Cassie and Diane had thrown themselves wholeheartedly into the wedding, supervising every detail, right down to the nail polish that Raina would wear. They chose a pink one with a light sparkle called Princesses Rule.

Vee and Sotza had flown in two days before the wedding. It was generally understood that Vee did not have a lot of time or patience for things like weddings, but she tried. She militantly kept everyone organized and in line when it looked like there might be an argument. Raina could definitely see how her mother had once been the boss of Miami.

"Are you ready?" Joe asked Raina.

Raina gazed up the aisle toward her future husband. Yes, she was ready. Finally, ready. She had feared this man, hated him, and loved him fiercely. Now, she couldn't imagine a life without him. She wanted to tie herself to him in every way possible so that going forward they would always be united.

"Yes, I'm ready." She gave her father a radiant smile and took the first step onto the aisle, a section of close-cut grass with flower petals strewn across.

Raina's train dragged behind her as she walked confidently toward Mateo. Her eyes were on him and he never once looked away. His expression did not change from his usual somber seriousness, which Raina appreciated. Perhaps Mateo was a man of few words. He wasn't particularly romantic and sometimes he said the wrong thing. But his heart was pure, and it beat for her alone. Only a fool wouldn't take hold of it with both hands and keep it safe.

As Raina approached the front, she turned to look at her father who lifted the veil from her face and set it over her head. Once again, he kissed her cheek. As Raina stepped toward Mateo, Sotza took a step toward her, waylaying her. He laid a hand on her shoulder and said, "I haven't had much of a chance to be a father to you, but I want you to know that you are the daughter of my heart. If you ever need anything you have only to call."

Raina had done so well at keeping her tears in check, but in a few words, Sotza summoned them to the forefront. The big, tough regal man who never unbent was allowing her space in his heart. A heart that belonged to Raina's mother.

"I know," she whispered, then smiled up at him. "Same to you. If you ever need me, I’ll come to your rescue."

Sotza chuckled. "Just like your mother." He bent down and kissed Raina's other cheek then took his place next Mateo.

Their vows were simple and traditional, both agreeing that neither were poetic enough to write their own. Raina didn't mind, she loved hearing that he would hold her in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, for the rest of their lives.

The ceremony was short and when it was over everyone was ready to party. Their reception was a mixed group. Some of Raina's friends from her hometown and from her university. A bunch of Mateo's contacts. Even the formidable Bolivian boss, Reyes, and his wife, Casey, had made the trip down, along with Reyes second-in-command, Alejandro, and his wife, Gina, who was soft and sweet, her belly round with pregnancy. The look suited her.

Raina had been ecstatic to finally meet Casey in person and the women had chattered as though they were long-lost friends. Casey loved everything about the mansion renovations, which was a relief to Raina who worried coming back to the house would be traumatic.

Casey had admitted to some hesitation, but said she quickly got over it when faced with a home that looked nothing like the one she shared with Ignacio Hernandez. Though technically Casey was more Vee’s friend than Raina's, Raina suspected that she and Casey had more in common, and that they would become even better friends in the future.

They ate and partied well into the night until Raina didn't think she could eat one more cocktail shrimp or dance one more dance. Of course, when Cassie dragged her back onto the dance floor for one last twirl, Raina had no choice but to concede gracefully. Mateo watched from the sidelines as his new wife imitated silly dance moves with her best friend. His eyes shone with happiness and Raina felt pride. She had put that look there and she would do whatever it took to ensure that it remained.

Raina was pretty much dead on her feet when Mateo intercepted yet another person attempting to get her to dance again.

"Are you cutting in?" she asked, smothering a yawn against his shoulder.

He didn't answer. Instead he took her arm and beelined off the dance floor, away from their guests. Several tried to wave them down, but Mateo wasn't having it. He wanted his bride to himself. Raina trailed after him, her steps lagging with exhaustion. She'd had a long and very satisfying day and now she wanted nothing more than to kick off her heels and collapse into the nearest bed.

She was pleased to note that Mateo was dragging her through the mansion and up towards their bedroom. She was surprised when he stopped in front of the master suite. After the bombing, Mateo asked Raina to leave the renovation of the bedroom to him. She'd been curious but backed off, working on the other rooms instead. Mateo continued to share Raina's room, though he finished the master suite days ago.

She smothered another yawn, her eyes scrunching shut as Mateo pushed the door open and then bent to lift Raina off her feet. She giggled and clutched his neck, then gasped as she caught sight of the room.

"Oh my god, Mateo!" He set her on her feet so she could have a good look around the room.

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