Page 37 of Highball and Chain

Shanna

“Wow, is that the church?”I pressed my hand to the window and stared at the beautiful stone building. Unlike many of the baroque cathedrals in Italy, this one had a simple elegance. Yellowish tan blocks, heavy medieval style doors, and bells. My God, the bells rang loud enough to rattle my molars.

“Look at the crowd.” Maggie leaned forward and gasped. “Where did they all come from?”

Dahlia chuckled. “They came to see Papa Joe.”

“And they came to see the beautiful bride of Gabriel Antonio Tommaso Marchionni.” Jessie, Gabe’s cousin, grinned.

“I’m going to throw up.” Maggie sank back from the window.

“Breathe deep. You can do this.” I rubbed her shoulder and prayed the security Gabe had hired would do its job.

“I wish my mom was here.” Maggie’s voice quivered.

“She’d be here if it weren’t for the flu.” I’d gone to visit Nadine when I’d learned she wasn’t making the trip. Faking an illness was right up the woman’s alley. Imagine my surprise when she’d opened the door looking like an extra from The Walking Dead.

“Leo said Gabe caught your morning sickness.” Dahlia laughed.

Maggie paled. “Is he okay?”

“I’m sure it’s nothing.” I pointed. “Look, honey. There’s Chloe. Focus on her.”

“Ready?” Jessie signaled for the attendant.

Maggie sank back into her seat. “I need Gabe.”

“He’s waiting for you inside. Let’s go see him.” Jessie eased out of the limo.

Dahlia followed her.

I squeezed Maggie’s hand. “I’ll deny saying this, but you and Gabe are perfect for each other. Let’s get you inside.”

“I just need a minute.”

Waiting by the limo, I worried Maggie had changed her mind. I scanned the crowd and caught sight of Enzo shouting from the steps.

A handful of people broke through security and surged toward the limo. Several large men in dark suits followed in an attempt to corral them, but failed miserably.

Jessie and Dahlia scrambled back inside the car.

The only thing between the rushing crowd and the limo was Chloe. The girl stared wide-eyed at the stampede.

A flash of metal caught my eye, and my brain immediately registered gun.

“Chloe!” I yelled over the clanging of bells and voices.

With no time to think, I hurtled myself toward the girl and scooped her into my arms.

Chloe screamed and clung to me like a spider monkey. I had to get her to safety, but I couldn’t decide on the church or the car. If shots rang out, the driver could get everyone to safety, but the church was built like a fortress. It’d stop any flying bullets.

Dahlia threw the door open. “This way!”

I tightened my grip on the girl and sprinted toward the limo. We landed in a heap of silk and tulle, but Chloe was safe, if not a little freaked out. “Are you okay?”

Eyes as big as saucers, she nodded.

“What’s going on out there?” Maggie glanced between me and the tinted windows.

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