Page 24 of Dangerous Intent

“Milo called in a favor and got a team here within an hour to make me beautiful.”

“No one needs to make you look beautiful. You were born that way.”

“You’re going to make me blush.” I glanced at the bouquet. “You’re taking being my bridesmaid a little serious, aren’t you? Your flowers are gorgeous.”

“These are for you.” He handed them to me. “Marchello wanted to bring them to you, but your mother and I convinced him that he needed to stay in the study until the ceremony.”

“How did he take that?” I sniffed the roses that reminded me of the color of the Corvette I wanted. Did Marchello pick them because he remembered too?

“He threatened to hit me, so I offered to bring the flowers to you.”

“Is everyone ready?” I asked.

“The judge just arrived.”

“The judge?”

“He’s going to officiate,” Ricardo said. “He’s on Nico’s payroll.”

“Of course he is.”

“How are you feeling?” He squeezed my hand. “Are you nervous?”

“Not really.”

An uneasiness I couldn’t explain lingered in my stomach that I couldn’t explain, but I didn’t think it was nerves. I didn’t question what I was doing today—marrying Marchello was a dream come true. However, I couldn’t shake the unsettled feeling that there were too many loose ends.

“I prayed to Saint Joseph for you and Marchello,” Ricardo said. “You’ll be fine.”

“The patron saint of married people.”

“You paid attention during religion classes.”

“Catholic school.” I shrugged. “My father thought it would make me a better person.”

“Maybe he should have gone to Catholic school.” He shook his head. “I’m sorry. That was insensitive of me. It’s just that I heard what he had planned for you, and I… I’m having a difficult time understanding how he could do that.”

Me too.

“It’s okay.” I kissed Ricardo’s cheek as my mother hurried toward us. “He wasn’t a very good person, but he was my father.”

“Time will heal that wound,” he whispered. “I promise.”

“Lissia.” My mother paused, gazing at me as if she hadn’t seen me in months. “Oh my.”

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“Nothing is wrong.” She looked at me with admiration. “You look like an angel.”

“Thank you.” I took a deep breath. “I guess I should go get married.”

“That’s what I came to tell you.” She hooked her arm in Ricardo’s. “Your incredibly impatient gangster is getting…well, impatient.”

“Let’s not keep him waiting.” It would only be a matter of minutes before he came looking for me, demanding that I marry him immediately.

My mother touched the diamond bracelet I chose for this occasion. “I gave you that when you turned eighteen.”

“You said it was your grandmother’s and I should wear it on special occasions. Today is pretty special.”

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