Page 63 of Sins of Bliss

Chapter 22

Vinnie

My absolute favorite thing about the ten-hour flight to our honeymoon destination has been witnessing the joy that grows on Sly’s face with every passing hour.

He refuses to tell me where we’re going, but the constant stream of dark ocean below us clues me in to realizing it’s some place European. Knowing my new husband, my instinct says Italy, but he refuses to confirm or deny.

Our honeymoon.

We’re on our way to ourhoneymoon.

Giddiness filters through my system—soft tingles of excitement for the adventure that lies ahead.

“How long will we be gone?” I ask innocently, still hoping he’ll reveal more about our trip. Sliding my hand over his thigh, I let my fingers travel dangerously close to his length as I lean over on the armrest of my seat. He catches my hand before it touches him, pulling my wrist to his lips, kissing the inside.

“Two weeks, amore mio. Unless you’d like to stay longer.”

Two weeks is a long time to be away from my business, especially when I hadn’t anticipated leaving. August and I hadn’t planned a honeymoon—we were going to tell people we were going later in the year but then never plan it.

At least, I had no intention of ever planning anything. Why celebrate something that isn’t worth celebrating?

Reaching over to the table next to me, I grab my purse and pull my phone out. The small white satin clutch glimmers in the light that shines directly on it. I’m grateful to Raina for bringing an outfit change with her in preparation of drinking and possibly dancing the night away. She shoved the Hermès overnight bag into my arms the moment the limo pulled up next to the plane.

I changed into her black midi dress once we boarded Sully’s jet, and although I’m a little cold now, I’m grateful to no longer be wearing a bloodstained wedding gown.

Such bittersweet memories that dress will hold.

Bitter because I should have only ever put it on for Sly, never for August.

Sweet because, although it is bloodstained, Ididend up marrying the love of my life in it.

I take a few moments to write a detailed email to my assistant, letting her know she will need to take over for a while, and asking her to double check my calendar’s accuracy. I don’t go into detail about where we’re going—not that I know yet—or why I’m suddenly leaving. I’m sure the news has already broken about the ceremony—she’ll figure it out.

My heart stutters for a moment, thinking about the ceremony. The reality of what happened begins to set in, and a small wave of nerves hits me.

Sly killed a man tonight.

I look over at my husband, suddenly feeling sick to my stomach.

Will he go to jail?

His fingers dance across the screen of his phone, his brow furrowed as he clearly types a message to someone.

Looking back down at my own phone, I pull up the search engine and type in my name. Relief hits when the most recentarticle is from two days ago, highlighting my upcoming nuptials. I type in Sly’s name, and thankfully, there is nothing new under his search, either.

“Mr. and Mrs. Lucchetti. We’re about ten minutes from your destination,” the stewardess with soft green eyes tells us as she passes by where we sit. She’s been tidying up the cabin for the last thirty minutes, busying herself.

“Thank you,” I say, offering a kind smile. Sly doesn’t acknowledge her, too deep in thought. Gently, I touch his arm. “Is everything okay?”

Immediately, he turns his attention to me, his gaze softening. “Sì, piccola ladra.” He expels a deep breath. “I was just speaking with your brother.”

My jaw slackens as surprise overtakes me. “You have his number?”

“It’s recent.” He grins. “I had to bypass security somehow, amore mio. Luckily, your brother offered his alliance at the right time.”

A smile upturns my lips—I owe my oldest brother a thank you. “What’s he saying?”

“He and your father are working their connections with la polizia. When your father and brother spoke with us after our ceremony, my cousin Lorenzo, Sully, and my friend Nixon—you will meet him soon—they kept the guests seated. When your brother returned, the three of them let the guests leave one by one, but before they could, they needed to sign the NDA your brother gave them.”