Page 75 of Cruelest Contract
Alice slips on her sandals and laughs when I open my journal to check off items on my Wedding Day List. The flowers have been delivered and Mel is overseeing the food prep in the kitchen. My bag is packed for the honeymoon. Louisa has been locked in her cat carrier for her own good today.
All that’s left for me to do is get dressed. And get married.
Then comes the wedding night.
A lightning bolt of arousal strikes whenever I think of being alone with Julian. He gave me the option to travel anywhere I’d like for our honeymoon but nodded, unsurprised, when I said I dislike traveling. There’s a small cabin on the ranch property. Julian says it’s close to the creek. His grandfather preferred to live there in his final years. The cabin had been empty for ages but was recently renovated. We’ll spend our honeymoon there.
A sudden knock on the door startles me. My heart flutters when I think it might be Julian. I can admit I’ve developed a serious crush on my soon-to-be husband.
Alice flounces over to the door first and flings it open. “The bride is indisposed,” she declares but this doesn’t stop Getty Tempesta.
Julian’s younger brother ignores Alice and charges right into the room. Following at a slower pace is a man I’ve never seen before. He’s extremely handsome and tall with short black hair and a powerful build that’s barely contained beneath a tasteful dark suit. I would clock him as a member of the security team, however he’s younger than the others and something about him reminds me of the Tempestas. He gives me a friendly wink.
“Excuse me!” Alice wildly waves her hands in the air. “We’re getting ready for a wedding. No boys allowed.”
She pushes an emphatic palm into Getty’s broad chest. Alice barely clears five feet in her low heels. Getty is easily six foot three. He acts like she’s not even there.
Getty looks right over Alice’s head and nods to me. “You need to come downstairs.”
“I’m not even dressed,” I argue and tighten my robe belt. “What do I need to go downstairs for? The wedding isn’t for another hour.”
He heaves a sigh. Alice is trying to push him out with both hands now. The sight is kind of entertaining, like watching a cartoon kitten trying to beat up a St. Bernard.
“My father needs to see you,” Getty says with a glare.
“You’re a dick.” Alice has given up trying to physically remove Getty and stands at my side. She examines her palms as if they might have been bruised by the contact with his chest.
Getty snaps his fingers. “Come on, move it.”
“What is this about?” I cross my arms. “Where’s Julian?”
His scowl sends the message that these are ridiculous questions. “Fort went to go track his ass down for the meeting.”
“What are you talking about? What meeting?”
“The one we’re supposed to be at right fucking now. Is the interrogation over or do I need to throw you over my shoulder and carry you?”
The stranger who arrived with Getty steps up now and extends his hand. “We haven’t met yet. I’m Nico Castelli. Julian’s cousin.”
“Oh, right.” I pump his big hand and smile. “He’s mentioned both you and your brother.”
“Monte couldn’t make the trip,” Nico says, “but he and his wife send their congratulations. As does my father.”
Nico is from the New York side of Julian’s family. Teresa’s side. His father was Teresa’s older brother. Julian has referred to him as Uncle Sal. As I understand it, Sal still owns and operates the family pizzeria.
“Hey asshole,” Getty complains. “Can you have social hour later? I’m growing roots here.”
“Pipe down,” Nico says with an eye roll. “Learn how to behave yourself in front of ladies.”
Getty’s jaw tightens. “You might want to be careful when you walk by the creek,cousin. Just in case someone is tempted to drown you.”
Nico just laughs at him. “Thought your last attempt to drown me in the creek was just a misunderstanding, Gaetano. An accident, you called it.”
“Yeah and I might get annoyed andaccidentallydo it again.”
“I’ll watch my step,” Nico says, clearly not taking the threat seriously. He flashes a devastating grin and holds his arm out to Alice. “Can I escort you, pretty girl?”
“Manners, at last.” Alice nearly swoons as she takes his arm.
