Page 40 of Tainted Blood

“Well, let’s get them answered so we can party all night long.” She leaves the room with Sarah, and they meet with the catering crew who comes back in a minute later with a large empty cart for all the desserts and the cake that Claudia made.

“It’s almost too sad that we have to wait for the desserts.”

Claudia comes toward me and places a cupcake in my hand. “Here you go.”

“Thank you for spoiling me.” She’s been absolutely amazing to me since I was hurt. She smiles and gives me a hug.

Just then, Connor walks in and snarls. “What the hell is going on?”

“Calm down,” she says.

“You give a hug and a cupcake? That’s bullshit.”

“You’re the one who doesn’t like sweets, but you get all my kisses. Well, almost all of them.” She leans down as John runs to her legs, giving them a squeeze. She kisses his cheek.

“You all get yourselves together,” Jack grumbles, running down the stairs. “We need photos and then to get to the church,” he adds, looking handsome and nervous at the same time.

I reach out and take my brother’s hand, and then he spots my cupcake. “After the pictures.” Claudia snatches it from my hand and puts it on the mantel where John can’t reach.

I sit him on my lap, and he thankfully doesn’t try to slide off. Jack and Connor flank my opposite sides, behind the sofa.

Claudia moves behind the coffee table and then says, “Smile.” We all do, but John is focused on my lapels. She calls his name, but he doesn’t acknowledge her. We’re able to snap our fingers and get him to look forward for half a second.

“That’s good,” she says. “I’ve got enough shots.”

“Great, because we have to get going.”

“Come on, John.” I get up with him in my arms, and everyone is looking on with curious expressions. “What?”

“You are moving so well now. You’d hardly know that something happened to you, if we weren’t familiar with you.”

“Thanks. It’s due to all of your help.”

“You’re welcome, little bro, but it’s not just us. You wanted to get better, and that’s what did it,” Jack says, giving me a one-armed side hug.

“We better get going. I haven’t even helped Nora at all.” Claudia is completely frazzled.

“Girl, you just did all the baking, and she has her sister-in-law. As soon as we get to the church, you can meet with her in the bride’s room,” Jack says.

We hop in two different vehicles with added security leading and following us. Once we reach the church, Connor can’t keep Claudia in the SUV. She’s out before it comes to a stop.

He panics and jumps out after her, but there are guards at the entrance, and he calms down. We are on alert at the moment, and her excitement could have been dangerous. Jack Senior could be anywhere with his allies lurking in the shadows. We have many other crime families coming today. The enemy list is small, but it could grow into a war if something should happen.

“She’s going to give me a stroke,” Connor says as we enter the church.

“What happened?”

“She wanted to get to Nora as soon as possible.” He rolls his eyes while smiling.

“Let’s get this show on the road,” Jack orders. We all walk into the nave to a large gathering of friends and associates. Nora’s family that were invited are at the front on one side while the rest gather around in the other pews.

We receive smiles as we reach the front. John is with Jack until the music begins and then Connor scoops him up. The doors open, and Nora walks toward the altar on her brother’s arm. Jack swallows hard, and we all smile as John shouts, “Mama.”

The wedding guests all sigh and cheer as he pushes out of Connor’s arms and runs up to Nora, who takes his hand. “Come on, walk me to Jack,” she says.

The ceremony is beautiful. Every moment made me ache for Calista and the day she would stand beside me, promising me forever. My hand presses on my breast pocket where the ring sits, waiting for Calista’s finger.

Despite Jack’s apprehension, the wedding and reception go off without a hitch, and everyone loves Claudia’s cake. When I return home for the night, I take some over-the-counter pain meds and go to sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a long day until I finally see my woman.

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