Page 127 of Forging Caine

“Sì, I told you she’s the best. I gave her the high-level plan and she’s taking care of the rest of it. We’ll have a hotel in New York tonight. Two new phones will be delivered and we fly out in the morning.”

Elliot stood and waved the agent over, then shook Antonio’s hand. “I hear you took good care of our Sam.”

“I do my best.”

I stood with them. “Elliot, I—I need to apologize for what I said after the letter.”

“No need.” He smiled, but there was something in his eyes that told me it he’d wanted to hear it. “It was a big shock, I know.”

I tossed my arms around his neck. “Thanks for telling me. It means more than you can know.”

Elliot hugged me back. He knew my father. Worked with him. Spent time with my mother. And then he watched out for her. And me.

“Maybe when we get back, do you think you could…” I let go of him. “Do you think you could tell me some stories about him? The stuff you’re allowed to talk about?”

Elliot eased back, swallowing hard while he nodded. The man without emotions showed them again. “Special Agent Rivers is going to take your statements. I’ll be in touch.”

Antonio wrapped an arm around my shoulders as Elliot left. “You’re becoming such a softie.”

I mock-glowered at him. “Shut it, Ferraro.”

“Never, soon-to-be-Ferraro.” He shot me that smirk again. “Did he have news?”

“The contract position’s a go.”

He frowned, trying hard to push it into a smile. “So, the answer is no for my father?”

I nodded to the new agent and sat. “I don’t know yet, Antonio. I need to think.”

Chapter 45

Antonio

Weparkedinfrontof the wedding chapel in our red convertible the next evening. The beautiful white building had faux-stained glass and palm trees covered in lights. It was only half-past eight, but the sun had already set, so we’d have an evening ceremony. We were both exhausted, but I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.

Fiori’s arrest and death were all over the news, which made explaining the safe house far easier for our families. Samantha didn’t want to tell any of them what she’d been involved in, but I convinced her to give them enough of a story that it satisfied them for the time.

Cristian let us know Jason had evaded all the authorities combing the property and would be on his way to Italia soon. How he’d managed that after being shot was a mystery. The last time I’d been shot, I’d spent the night in hospital and had barely been able to fly a couple of days later.

“I feel underdressed.” Samantha smoothed her hand over her outfit. She wore white pants and a blouse, while I wore black pants and a white dress shirt. The day in Vegas had been a whirlwind, including shopping, dinner, a tour of the strip, and sampling pastries from various shops.

“No cold feet. Remember, that was the only responsibility I gave to you.”

“Yeah, that plus picking out our rings.” She gestured to the small duffel I carried, where they were safely tucked away with our license. “I still say we should’ve just gotten our promise rings blessed.”

This woman. So stubborn.

I’d forced her to two jewelry shops in New York and three more once we touched down in Vegas. “New promises, new rings.”

A couple flew out the front door, laughing. She wore a short white dress and he was in a black suit.

“We should buy fancier clothes.”

“Bella, I would marry you fully naked, if that’s what it took. I don’t care what either of us is wearing.”

Samantha pressed her hands to her cheeks. She’d doubted this plan at least a hundred times but hadn’t changed her mind. “I should have at least called my sister. She doesn’t even know we got engaged.”

I snatched those nasty hands from her face and kissed them. “We can celebrate with our families when we get home. They’ll be happy for us, no matter what.”

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