Page 47 of Dark Desire

“Marry me—today. I can’t wait another moment to make you mine permanently.”

“Today? Are you serious?”

“Yep. It’s Vegas. We can go to a chapel right now and make this union official.”

She mulled over my words. Her hands drifted to the tiny bump swelling beneath her shirt, and I watched as her face split into a massive grin. I knew she didn’t want to bring these babies into the world unwed—at least I hoped she didn't.

“Okay, let’s do it.”

“Perfect. Anders,” Vin barked at my guard, who had been waiting in the car. “You’re going to be our witness. Take us to the Tiny Chapel on the strip.”

“Wait.” Riley tugged my hand. “Don’t you think you should call your family? Won’t they want to be there?”

“I’m not waiting around for them. We can have a real ceremony once the trial is done, and you’re exonerated. This is just for us.”

She slid into the car beside me, clinging to my hand. We pulled into the chapel parking lot and stopped. “Now is the time to tell me you’re having second thoughts, Tesoro.”

She smiled, the light in her eyes beaming like a ray of sun. “Let’s do this.”

I pushed open the door and got out. Lacing my fingers in hers, we headed inside.

Despite the looming threat of Dmitri Ivanov. Or the fact Riley could still be found guilty of murdering Donta Ivanov. I felt nothing but happiness.

The risk was there to lose it all, but I knew beyond any doubt, I would protect my family until my last breath.

The ceremony didn't take long at all and before I realized it, my wife was seated beside me in the car. "We should probably go to Discoteca and talk with Massimo." Riley beamed, holding her ring up into the light.

"Yeah…" I tugged her against me. "How about I take you home first? You look exhausted."

When we arrived, Madison was seated at the bar. "Hey. How'd the appointment go?" She smiled, walking towards Riley.

"It went great." Riley sat down on a stool and sighed. "What's a girl gotta do to get a drink?"

"Oh, hell no." Madison shook her head. "I've been waiting to hear what the verdict is."

I leaned down and pressed a kiss to her neck. "I'll leave you two alone. I'm going to spill the news to my overbearing big brother."

I hear Madison squeal as I knocked on Massimo's door. "Yeah?"

I peeked my head in and smiled. "Massimo, you busy?"

He waved me in. "No. Everything good with the babies?"

I nodded my head. "We got married."

“You did what?” Massimo growled.

“We got married.” I paced the floor of his office. “She’s having twins, Fratello. I’m going to be a dad.”

“But marry her? Like that? Fuck. Mother and father are going to be pissed.”

“We will do it again—the right way. Once the trial is done. Any word on how that’s coming?” Massimo grinned and shoved a tumbler of whiskey into my hand.

“Antonio said he’s making progress, but you know it’s going to take time. I don’t know.” Massimo leaned back in his chair. “I feel like Antonio is hiding something. He’s just been acting weird the last couple of weeks.”

“Maybe sending him in like this was a bad idea. What if it backfires? I mean,” I took a sip from the glass I was holding. The amber liquid burned deliciously as it went down my throat. “She has to know he is an Anastasi. I can’t believe she hasn’t fired him.”

“Me either—he claims she threatened to do just that, but something happened, and she changed her mind. Antonio is confident she will cave and give into his demands. All we need is for her to drop the charges.”

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