Page 79 of Midnight Revelations

“You okay?” he asked.

All I could do was nod because I’d swallowed all my words.

“So it begins,” Papa said ominously. “Matteus will seek vengeance.”

“And he will find death,” Ash replied.

Papa studied Ash for several seconds. “Welcome to the family. My Lucrezia is in safe hands. I will deal with the loose ends and put the head on ice for you.”

I stumbled forward, stopping just in front of him. He shook his head when I took another step. “I’m covered in his blood, Angel. You don’t need to be polluted by his evil.”

My fingers skimmed the wound on his chest. I took a staggered breath and slowly met his eyes. “Let’s get you cleaned up, then, so you can hold me.”

Papa was already barking orders down the phone when we emerged in the kitchen. I’d never seen him so pissed in my life, his Scottish accent more pronounced than the neutral accent he’d adopted over the years.

I watched Ash standing under the pounding water of the shower, his fingers trailing through his hair. When the water finally ran clear, I stepped into the shower and let him hold me tightly against him.

I should be freaking out right now, but all I felt was protected.

Death had come for me, but Ash had slaughtered it before it could harm me.

My fate now rested in his hands and it was the safest place on earth to be.

***

Chapter Twenty-Six

Lucrezia

The small chapel sat on the cliff edge in the sleepy fishing village on the coast of Tuscany. It was the place Mama and Papa said their vows so long ago before God as they promised to stay by each other’s side in sickness and health. Papa kept those vows long after he held her hand as she died.

Ash’s blue eyes stared into mine and left me breathless with emotional overload. I wore the same dress my grandma and mama had worn. The antique fabric was soft, the pearls decorating it of the finest quality, and the jewels catching the last rays of the setting sun.

Five people stood inside the tiny chapel: the priest who performed the ceremony, Papa, Madison, Ash, and me.

“I do,” I replied to the priest’s question.

My engagement ring was in platinum, the diamonds forming a star pattern that continued into the band. My wedding ring was a simple band with stars etched onto it by Harold as a thank-you for me helping to design his suit of armour that won his competition. Small sapphires sat in the centre of each star because they reminded me of Ash’s eyes. The band on Ash’s finger matched mine minus the sapphires.

Five people were the only ones who knew our secret as we declared our love for each other. This moment could sign either of our death warrants by Ash’s father or other hidden enemies. The photographs taken by the participants on Ash’s phone were for us alone because the following months were going to be torture being away from Ash for periods of time.

There was only four of us to celebrate with a meal in the fishing house that Mama grew up in. Papa had purchased it as a gift for her long ago because she loved to sit and watch over the ocean. The photographs she framed still sat on the mantlepiece, the throws she had crocheted remained over the seats. This house was a memorial to a woman who life had taken from us too soon.

“Well, if you don’t mind, I have a few days before I need to return home and I’m taking my wife on a short honeymoon.” Ash stood and held his hand out to me.

“A war will be waiting when you get back,” Papa replied. “Matteus will be baying for blood.”

A small smile touched Ash’s lips. “I doubt he’ll get through your defences. We’ll take care of the rest in London.”

Papa held his arms open to me. “My beautiful baby. You were to stay with me forever.” He stroked my hair as he had done my entire life. “I wish you all the happiness you deserve and so much more.” He kissed the top of my head and released me into the care of my husband.

Ash bought a black Porsche to leave in Tuscany for when he was here. It was technically a present for me, but Papa didn’t approve of us driving alone. The keys would be left in my care when Ash was in London.

His hand gripped mine as we sped through the countryside.

“Where are we going?” I turned in my seat to watch him.

“Not far. You love this part of the world, so I decided to buy us a holiday home.”

---