Page 48 of Stolen Christmas
“Thank goodness for that.” He drops back in his seat.
“So why would you go and get yourself mixed up in all of this?”
“May forced me to do it.”
“May?”
“The woman who was in the back of the Uber car. She works for some guy.” He runs his hands through his curly brown hair. “I was supposed to do my job and tail D’Antonio, but that was it.” He shakes his head and laughs. “Then I accidentally hit the cop car. I had no idea May and Fields knew each other and that they were working together.” He leans in and whispers, “They got something going on about double crossing someone named Tommy, but I don’t know who that is.”
There’s a knock at the door, and then Marco walks in. “Excuse me, but it’s time to get ready,” he interrupts.
“Get ready, already?” I ask, checking the time on my new watch that Luca’s stylist let me pick. They were all gorgeous, but this is my favorite. I thought it matched Luca’s the most. It was foolish, but when he saw it, he smiled and said, “Nice, Amore,” and then he kissed my hand.
“Yes, the wedding is soon. Boss wants you dressed and ready to go. I need you to come with me, Mr. Scott.” We don’t get to talk to each other because Marco quickly moves my brother like he doesn’t weigh a thing and says, “Sorry, but Boss’s orders.” He smiles politely before escorting my brother out.
Before I can take a breath, there are three women meeting me in the sitting room. “Good day, Mrs. D’Antonio. We’re here to do your hair and makeup. A wedding gift from your mother-in-law.”
“Oh, um. Thank you.”
“Oh, they’re here,” Luca’s mother says, entering the room swiftly, looking flustered with her dress in a bag and appearing a bit disheveled.
“Yes, I appreciate the gift.”
“It’s all my pleasure, dear.” She sets everything down and rushes to me with her arms wide open and immediately gives me a big hug. Mrs. D’Antonio has made this so much easier for me.
“You’re going to make a beautiful bride,” my mother-in-law gushes.
The woman with the curling wand in her hand grips my shoulders and says, “You’re so correct, madam. She’s absolutely beautiful.”
Chapter Sixteen
Luca
The melodic music plays, and the room glows in holiday white and gold, but I notice none of that the moment Angel begins walking toward me. My eyes latch onto hers, and my heart aches for her to reach my side. It’s as if time has stopped, and she can’t get here fast enough. Suddenly, I am afraid that somehow she might disappear. It isn’t as if she has to walk a great distance to get to me, but I need her to be here now. It’s insane how much I need her. I can’t tell her that, though; she can’t even stand me, except for when we are in bed. Then I am her king, her great lover, the air she breathes.
I take deep, calming breaths, trying to control the urge to snatch her up and bring her to my side. It’s insane that I’ve hardly known her for a week, and yet, I want nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with her. I know she’s a good girl, so whatever she’s done or planned to do was out of necessity, and now she doesn’t need to worry about anything else because I’ve got her back and always will.
I impatiently take her hand in mine, wanting the ceremony to be over as fast as humanly possible just in case someone is dumb enough to object, even though there’s hardly anyone here that would have the balls to do it. It’s only my men and my parents with her little brother in tow, looking handsome in a fresh suit that my mother picked out.
At least Noah has the decency to be polite and respectful so I don’t have to beat the shit out of him later. I’ve given him an opportunity to prove himself, and he’s already talked about running away and taking my bride with him. He’s fucking lucky I didn’t beat the shit out of him already, but I can’t let her seehim looking rough until after the wedding. Maybe later I’ll take his ass in the ring and teach him how to square up. If he’s going to run his mouth, he’s going to learn how to fight.
The priest begins. “Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for joining us as we bring together two souls in holy matrimony.”
“You look beautiful,” I tell her with my heart racing. The truth falls from my lips so easily. I see her blush even through the makeup they put on her face.
“Thank you,” she whispers softly.
We say our vows, and thankfully she doesn’t fight the process and says “I do” without reservation. “You may now kiss your bride.” I don’t wait a moment. My hand slides around her waist and then the other cradles the back of her head.
“With pleasure,” I whisper, kissing my beloved wife. As I pull away, her lips chase mine until she remembers where we are. The clapping begins, and I pull her to my side and face the camera. “Smile, Angel.” The photographer gets in several photos before we meet with my parents.
Everyone congratulates us except Noah, which actually surprises me and doesn’t at the same time. What an idiot, because his plan is about to backfire. Like clockwork, there’s a commotion at the front gate.
I lean in and whisper to my new bride, “Your brother has made a monumental error, so play along and he’ll live.” It’s a SWAT team sent in as requested. They believe we have a captive here, and they’re here to rescue Angel Scott. Since Noah was left in my care, he can’t claim he was held prisoner. He was in my custody; however, his sister wasn’t, and so he thought it would work.
“Send them in,” I reply, feeling up to the challenge and in the mood for a good fight after such a fabulous victory.
They enter with their guns aimed at us. I jump in front of my bride.
