Page 37 of The Billionaire's Vow

I hugged her tight. “Thank you, Grandmother.”

“I love it when you call me that. You should also call Reginald ‘grandfather’ from now on.”

I hesitated when we parted. “But shouldn’t I ask for his permission first?”

She lifted her chin. “I gave it.”

I laughed. Grandmother was the power behind my grandfather, and she’d outplayed him today. She must have done a lot more than tell Rocco about Percy by creating a situation she knew my grandfather wouldn’t back out of. I didn’t always agree with her decisions, and I often wondered what she would have been like if she hadn’t been hurt. But without that hurt, Rocco wouldn’t exist, and I was glad he did.

She waved her hand dismissively. “Reginald’s grumpy now, but he’ll be fine once the dust settles. Rocco gave him not onlythe promised thirty million and my Longfellow property without a year wait, but he also gave us stocks and shares from Marini Holdings. With all of that, we’re closer to what we lost with your father.”

Rocco had given so much to them to marry me, and I didn’t understand why after my grandfather had double-crossed him. Had he done it for Luca?

Luca gave me his favorite grandson, Rocco, because he may have wanted to make things better between our families. He was very remorseful that last visit. It had to be more, but there was no more time to ask. We both had to go if we would still make it to New York City in time for Luca’s funeral.

We walked down the stairs. Rocco stood at the bottom talking to my grandfather. His head lifted, and my breath caught. His beauty was positively mesmerizing.

Our gazes connected and he seemed as absorbed in me as I was in him. My face warmed and I licked my lips, and I didn’t miss that his gaze lowered and stared. One thing’s for certain, the chemistry is still there.

Is it an act? Was he really feeling glad to have us tied together now?Had Mr. Belfiore been lying when he said Rocco had accepted the end of our engagement? Or was what I saw earlier—relief in Rocco’s expression—to be believed? The burning questions wouldn’t stop, even as I stepped down the final step, and he extended his hand.

My pulse jumped into my throat as I clasped it.

My husband.For better or for worse.

The limos were lined up, and his lawyer, Gunnar and I climbed into the one at the head, with Rocco stopping to talk to grandmother and grandfather outside the one behind us.

I took the seat across from him.

He held out his hand. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Marini.”

I smiled at my new name. “Likewise. My friend Cassie mentioned you.” I couldn’t stop my face from heating, remembering what she told me they did over the phone.

His smile broadened. “I see. Of course, she told you about our call.”

I shrugged. “Does that bother you?”

He chuckled. “Not at all. Nothingeverembarrasses me.”

I grinned. “I doubt that.”

He stared at me for a few moments and I tensed.Do I have something on my face?

“What’s up?” I finally asked.

He shook his head. “Oh, boy. You look utterly clueless, Adelina. You better buckle up because it’s not going to be an easy day for you.” His ominous warning hung in the air, increasing the tension inside of me. I waited for him to say he was joking, but his expression stayed serious. My stomach knotted. Cassidy always told me if a lawyer says something is wrong, you better pay attention.

“What do you mean?” I asked frowning.

Gunnar smirked. “You do know the man you married somewhat, right?”

I furrowed my brow, and crossed my arms. “I do.”

“Then, you know you brought a powerful and proud man to his knees today. He may forgive you, but you will first have to pay for doing that.”

I jutted my chin. Gunnar has it all wrong. I had absolutelynocontrol over what just happened. He had no reason to believe Iplayed any part in Rocco’s decision to marry me, so I said the words I believed were true. “Rocco’s fine.”

He cocked a brow. “Is he? Think about it. You married him the morning of the funeral of his beloved grandfather without his family? Woah. That alone would have me heading for the hills. But Rocco couldn’t be talked out of the delay.”

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