Page 50 of Touch Her and Die
“Mr. Rossi, I need you at the altar,” the guy said again.
The guy was just doing his job. Loyalty and all that. I nodded and followed, tucking my phone into the pocket of my suit. This whole thing was so rushed, I didn’t even have a proper suit. I would smile as my uncle went down.
“What’s the rumor for the rush of such a joyful event?” I asked, following the guy out.
He looked around the hall before we walked out.
“The rumors are that your uncle pissed off someone on the Voigt side of things and he doesn’t want them to renege.”
We turned down another hall and kept walking.
“Interesting. And here I thought it was me.”
His hand rested at his hip, and I chuckled. We should be more worried once we were out in the open of the chapel, not the back rooms.
“Sir, between you and me, nothing surprises me. But your uncle pays my paycheck, so I’m sorry, but my loyalty is with him.”
I nodded and passed him up, tired of his pace.
“You’re a good man. I hope that works out for you,” I said and quickened my steps.
The thud of his footsteps grated on my nerves as he tried to keep up.
“Sir, please slow down. I need to make sure you’re safe.”
I’d have laughed but really, there was nothing to laugh about. He was serious, and I had a lack of self-preservation today.
I ground my molars together. “Why does it matter? This is a funeral. My funeral. What does it matter?”
I was serious, and he didn’t seem to understand. He wouldn’t. He could leave his job and go home to his wife. Maybe he was dumb for thinking he could have it all. A job with the Rossi family and life outside us. Perhaps I was an idiot for dreaming that I could too have it all.
The door opened up out onto the altar and I slowed. My phone was still silent and the church? Strangely empty.
I scanned the small crowd. Her side had several key players, some I knew from research and some I’d guess really didn’t matter. My side? Just those that mattered enough to keep face. Not the normal wedding for sure.
The guard stopped me.
“Mr. Rossi? You stand here. Oh, and the ring.”
His hand slipped into a pocket of his suit. I stiffened because what he was pulling out was so much more dangerous than a gun. He handed me a small band. I would never think of Cara as a poor girl, but how the hell did an heiress agree to this?
Something wasn’t fitting together and in a matter of a few minutes, I should have something that would stop this wedding for good.
I grabbed my cell out one more time. Still nothing from my cousin or Halle. I would be a free man shortly and they weren’t going to know. Halle wouldn't know. Damn it. This was all assuming my guy came through. Any minute now.
Music started, and I swallowed. This better fucking work. I wouldn’t marry her, and I wouldn’t be my uncle’s pawn anymore. I wouldn’t give up my freedom, so I had to do something that would stick.
And I was certain this would, if it ever went through.
I wiped my palm against my suit coat and nearly dropped the ring I’d forgotten. It was ugly and cheap. This was a great start to a marriage.
There was no attempt at a smile on my face as I stiffened at the marshmallow white that I had to assume was my bride. Fuck. That was an even worse start to a marriage.
An organ played whatever the hell they played, and she walked up the aisle. Thank the devil himself that she walked painfully slow.
If my guy didn’t send the evidence in the next few seconds, he was going to be the first person I went after. Hell, I’m sure I could send Halle after him. She’d have a bone to pick with everyone if I got married. I was certain of that. Maybe I could see the soft innocence hiding behind the crazy, but I knew that was just for me.
Five. Four. Three. This was the death march if this didn’t work.
