Page 188 of The Slayer
But Alaine gasped as Chuito slid an engagement ring down on top of the simple gold wedding band. “Chu,” she whispered, trying to slip her hand out of his, because the rings had been one thing Chuitodidpay for. “How much was this?”
“Shh.” He gave her a look as he slid the two-carat oval diamond ring on her finger. “My turn.”
Alaine cupped her hand after he was done with his ring vows as more tears spilled down her cheeks. Then she turned to Katie, who handed her Chuito’s ring.
“Yours isn’t as fancy,” she whispered. “It’s not even a little fancy.”
“I hope not,” he said with a laugh.
And everyone laughed with him.
So they basically jacked up the ring part of the ceremony, but later, when Alaine would watch the video, she said that was her favorite part.
Chuito’s favorite part was when they were done performing for others, and he was able to grab Alaine and kiss her, showing her in a way far more powerful than words could ever be how much it meant to be with her in the Miami sunshine and finally be able to promise her eternity.
It was something he never thought was possible, but somehow Alaine had given that to him.
All the other bullshit seemed insignificant next to that.
* * * *
Afterward it was just another big party.
With food and drinks and a fire and music, this time by a professional, and Chuito had a really good time…without drinking.
Alaine threw her bouquet, and Miguel’s sister caught it, looking very pleased because the grab for it had been epic.
The garter was even more fun, because Alaine’s legs looked amazing, and she giggled the whole time, putting her hands over her face, and it was so endearing Chuito didn’t really give a shit who caught it.
He wasn’t shocked when he saw it was Tino. That motherfucker was very fast and extremely competitive. Tino had it for all of twenty seconds before Nova walked over with a glass of wine in his hand, because Nova had refused to participate on the off chance he actually caught it.
He yanked the blue garter away from Tino and handed it to Luis with the growl of, “That’s the last thing we need, Valentino.”
Tino just laughed and took it back from Luis the second his brother turned his back, stuffing it in his side pocket with a wink at Alaine. “It’s the only memento I’m gonna get.”
“That’s right,” Chuito agreed. “So enjoy it.”
“Oh, I will,” Tino assured both of them with one of those dazzling smiles of his that was able to somehow cover up a whole lifetime of sins.
This wasn’t a subdued wedding reception, because Italians knew how to party almost as well as Boricuas did. It was a good thing Chuito owned most of the houses on the block and all the residents were at this wedding, because the cops would’ve been called for sure, and they would’ve found a bunch of Italian hit men standing in the front yard.
Although Chuito was sure the cops weren’t an issue for Nova.
The Feds were another story.
But they hadn’t seemed to catch up with them in Miami, and Nova was in a really good mood because of it. Enough to drop down in a chair beside Chuito as he sat with Alaine, who was holding court. Women were looking at her ring, and Italians kept putting envelopes in the silk bag Tino had insisted she carry even though neither of them was even remotely Italian.
“I need one dance with your mother,” Nova said as if he expected Chuito to agree.
Chuito glared in response.
“Just for sentimental purposes.” Nova gave him a wide, devious smile that Chuito had learned was a warning more than an endearment. “I’m Italian. Weddings make me nostalgic.”
“Bullshit,” Chuito snapped at him.
“Okay, maybe not, but I need a dance. I won’t fuck her. I just want to touch her a little,” Nova amended with a groan. “Feel her against me one more time.”
“You said that out loud,” Chuito said with wide eyes. “How much have you had to drink?”
