Page 104 of Forbidden Vows

I’m so happy for them.

Shocked aplenty, but happy. He may not be mafia royalty, but I’ve seen how far Ian will go to protect the people he cares about. I know he’ll do even more for Ciara. My stepsister needs loyal, strong men around her. With Paddy and Ian flanking her, she’ll do just fine as the Donovan in charge. I’ve no doubt the others will fall in line effortlessly.

“I do,” Ian says.

“By the power invested in me, by the state of Illinois, you may kiss the bride,” the pastor says with a bright smile.

And kiss the bride, he does.

“Congratulations!” I tell the bride and groom as they turn to face us. “Wish you’d given us a heads up, though. I would’ve loved to organize an actual wedding, an actual wedding party—”

“Oh, no, we didn’t want any of that,” Ciara says, shining like the sun in a simple but beautiful white gown, pearls resting at the base of her slender neck. “This right here… this is perfect.”

“Seriously? I’m basically in the only dress left that still fits me,” I nervously laugh.

Ciara hugs me and plants a kiss on my cheek. “Okay, first of all, you look gorgeous. You’ve always been gorgeous. You could wear a potato sack, and you would still be gorgeous, and I’m sorry I never told you that.”

“Thank you.”

“Second, after our wedding debacles, do you really think another attempt at a fancy wedding would’ve been a good idea?” She raises an eyebrow. “No, I insisted on something small and private. We’ve got enough going on as it is. Ian agreed.”

“I wish you both a wonderful life together,” Anton tells them and cordially shakes Ian’s hand. “I swear to God I didn’t see this coming, but I am glad you’re both part of this family now.”

“And you’re a part of ours,” Ciara says. “The Karpovs and the Donovans, tighter than ever.”

“Technically, I’m not a Karpov,” Ian chuckles.

“Not by name, but you’ve been one of us for a long time,” Anton replies.

I point a finger at the happy couple. “I’m still reeling from the shock. How were you so good at keeping it a secret?”

“Former British intelligence, remember?” Ian says with a cool smile and a wink.

Ciara gasps, remembering something. “Oh, shit, Laura’s gonna kill me.”

“For not inviting them?” I ask.

She nods. “Oh, yeah. She’s going to throw a hissy fit and then some. We need to make it up to her, baby,” she tells Ian.

I gasp too, albeit for a different reason.

“Oh, I think I’ve got something to keep Laura distracted with,” I manage, grabbing Anton’s arm. “Baby…”

“Your water broke,” he says matter-of-factly.

“Holy crap!” Ciara exclaims. “We need to get you to the hospital, like now!”

Ian is already in action mode, snatching the car keys from Anton’s pocket. “I’ll drive. Anton, help Eileen to the car. Ciara, call the doctor and let them know we’re coming.”

The contractions start.

“Fuck!” I cry out.

“I’ve got you, baby,” Anton says as he holds me up.

Epilogue II

Eileen

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