Page 66 of Desperate Actions

Then—his eyes darken, warm and smoldering as he lifts my hand to his lips.

His gaze locks onto mine, and suddenly, I am aware of just how much I wish we were still alone in our suite.

“Did I tell you how gorgeous you look?”

I lick my lips, heat flooding my veins, and seriously—who decided we had to do this family thing instead of staying in bed for the rest of our lives?

But these people? Our family and friends. They came here for me.

To celebrate me.

And I can’t stand outside the door like a chicken-shit coward.

I square my shoulders, inhale deeply, preparing myself for whatever may come.

“Ready?”

Sammy watches me carefully, his knowing expression borderline smug.

Because he knows I’m lying before I even say it.

But I say it anyway.

“Yeah.”

He grins.

And opens the door.

The moment we step inside, chaos erupts.

Smiles. Cheers.

A blur of faces. Laughing. Happy.

And the first person to reach us?

Nico Jr.

My cousin grabs me first, his arms wrapping around me briefly before he pulls back, giving me his usual mischievous smirk.

“Congratulations, cuz.”

Then, softer, with genuine warmth, “You look beautiful.”

I barely get the chance to thank him before he’s already gripping Sammy’s hand, shaking it in that way men do when they silently communicate threats, respect, and warnings all at once.

Then the floodgates open.

The rest of our insane, loud, borderline unhinged family descends.

“AELLA! SAMMY!”

“Finally!”

“Congrats, you two!”

Hands. Hugs. Laughter.

---