Page 70 of Legacy Of Ashes
"Very nice." I reach for his belt buckle. "Want to practice saying it?"
His hands cover mine, stopping me. "If you start that now, we'll miss our own wedding."
"Maybe that's the point," I breathe, standing on my toes to kiss him.
A knock interrupts us. "Saoirse?" Orla calls. "Time to get ready."
"Coming," I call back, grinning at Conall. "Raincheck?"
"We have forever," he promises.
The ceremony passes in a blur of traditional Irish music and ancient vows. I wear the family tiara—crown of Kavanagh women—while Conall looks devastating in his black tux.
Father O'Malley performs the handfasting ritual, wrapping blessed cords around our joined hands. The words blur together, my focus entirely on the man holding me.
"Kiss your bride, Mr. Devlin," Father O'Malley announces.
Conall doesn't hesitate. His mouth claims mine in a kiss that promises everything—passion, protection, forever.
"Mine," he whispers against my lips.
"Yours," I agree. "Always yours."
The reception fills the estate with laughter and music. I dance with my husband while politicians and business partners mingle with family. The tiara catches candlelight, marking me as both traditional Irish wife and modern crime boss.
Late in the evening, all three couples gather on the terrace. Cillian and Orla, married last month. Eamon and Sorcha, planning their spring wedding. And Conall and me, still glowing from our vows.
"To the future," I raise my champagne.
"To family," Cillian adds.
"To love," Orla contributes.
"To second chances," Eamon says.
"To finding home," Sorcha adds.
"To partnership," Conall finishes.
We drink together, but as the toast ends, my phone buzzes with an urgent message:Problem with Romanian shipment. Customs asking questions.
I show Conall, watching his jaw tighten.
"Tomorrow," I decide. "Tonight, I'm just your wife."
Later, alone in our bedroom, I remove the tiara and place it in its velvet box. Conall watches from the bed, already naked and waiting.
"Come here, Mrs. Devlin," he commands.
I approach slowly, still wearing my wedding dress. "How does it feel to be married to a crime boss?"
"Fucking incredible." His hands find the dress buttons. "Now let me worship my wife properly."
The silk pools at my feet, leaving me naked except for his grandmother's ring. He pulls me onto the bed, rolling me beneath him.
"I've been thinking about this all day," he growls, settling between my thighs. "About how you'll look with my ring on your finger while I fuck you."
"Show me," I breathe.
