And when you must kill her father, will she forgive you?

Father Damien, I'm doing this regardless.I buried my face into my palm.

Very well. I will call my brother now and text you the address.He hung up on me.

Pulling my phone away from my ear, I curled my lip at the screen. I gripped the phone tightly, then laid it on the desk. Sofia stepped over, snaking her arms around me. Her bare breasts and cheek pressed into my back.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Her voice cracked.

“It won't fix the present,” I pivoted to her and wrapped my arms around her waist, “but I know it's what I want, and I will fight for us and you always.”

“Should we go tell Nick?” She furrowed her brow.

I nodded. “Don’t make that face. I think after my talk with him, he’ll be on board with this more than anyone else.”

KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK.

“Come in!” Nick’s muffled voice carried through the shut door.

Sofia and I entered the bedroom cautiously to see Nick sitting in an oversized chair, reading a book. I leaned on the wall just inside the door. Sofia stood close to me, laying her head on my arm. Nick glanced up then closed the book.

“You guys are too loud, by the way.”

Sofia and I exchanged a quick glance. I turned back to Nick, ready to speak but he exhaled and stood, dropping the book on an ottoman. He rolled his eyes before he sauntered to his bag. He pulled out a key fob and tossed them to me. I lifted my hand and caught it in the air.

“Go.” He shook his head before he sat on the bed and picked up his phone. “I know that look. I know what’s happening.”

“My car is in the garage.” I cocked my head.

He looked up. “That’s the key to an Audi registered to a colleague of mine who lives in Canada. It’s the one in the garage next to yours.”

He began texting again, almost as if he were ignoring us.

“Nicky.” Sofia squeaked.

His eyes flickered to her. “I was texting a connection.”

“About?” I folded my arms over my chest.

“You guys need a marriage license and I have a friend who can get you one.”

“Can we marry without it?” Sofia clutched her hands over her chest.

“Don’t worry.” He nodded. “I’ll handle that.”

She nodded. “Thank you. You don’t have to come if you don’t want but—”

“I don’t want to miss my sister getting married under any circumstance.”

She hooked her hand on my arm, gave it a squeeze, and looked up at me.

I smirked. “Told you.” I narrowed my eyes on his. “Are you sure you want to do this? I know you’ve helped a lot already, but this is the beginning of the end for a lot of things.”

“I’m gladly going down with the ship.”

Hand in hand, we stood at the back of the church, looking down the nave at the altar. The church was much like the one back in the city my own family attended, except the crucifix was gothic and daunting. The Virgin Mary seemed to be looking down on us, judging our decision.

I glanced at Gavino and muttered. “I wish we could have rings.”