Page 122 of Brutal Vows
“I’mfine, thanks for asking.”
“Mamma, please. Not today.”
She pauses. “How areyoudoing? The Irishman still breathing?”
I throw an irritated glance toward the other room. “He’s still breathing.”
She chuckles. “Sounds like he won’t be for long.”
“Tell me about Lili. Did you see her leave?”
“Sí. She and her pretty boy left with about ninety-sevenbodyguards in a convoy of limos. Looked like a presidential motorcade. Then Gianni left. I don’t know where, because he didn’t go to the reception, and he never came back to the hotel.”
I’m relieved to hear Lili left the church with Juan Pablo and was under protection when she went. That must mean they were headed to the airport as Quinn ordered. But then I hear a loud popping sound in the background and frown.
“Did you just open another bottle of champagne?”
“Don’t judge me. I’m on vacation.”
Feeling a headache coming on, I rub my temple. “I’m going to arrange for someone to come to the hotel to get my things.”
“Don’t bother.”
“Why not?”
“They were already here.”
“Who was?”
“The Irish army, that’s who. Knocked on the door twenty minutes ago, rushed in like a tsunami, packed up your suitcase, rushed back out again. That barrel-chested one’s cute. Kellen?”
“Kieran.”
“Mmm. I think I scared him when I told him I’ve always liked a nice big man.”
“Jesus, Mamma.”
“What, a girl can’t dream?”
“Since when do you flirt with men?”
She cackles. “Since never, but it was fun. He ran out of here so fast, he left skid marks on the carpet.”
I say faintly, “I don’t understand what’s happened to my life.”
“You’ll land on your feet,stellina.In the meantime, have a mimosa. You sound like you could use one. Or five.”
“Thanks for that stirring pep talk.”
“You’re welcome. When Gianni comes back, should I give him a message?”
“I’ll try his cell. I can’t believe he left you there alone. How did you get back from the reception?”
“Your cousin Carmine.”
“Oh God. Does he still have a driver’s license? He’s about a hundred years old!”
“You’re thinking of your granduncle Carmine. Speaking of which, he wasmolto borrachoat the reception. Got cozy with a bunch of young Irish bucks and went shot for shot with them. Then they all started to sing. It was hilarious.”
