Page 83 of Shattered Diamonds

“I implied it, Mrs. Carbone.”

“Oh, is that what that was? I thought you were suddenly interested in the wrinkles on your hand since you are so old.”

I hear him choke on his shocked laughter. “This old man, as you see fit to call me, kept going last night while you could not. Age means nothing.”

“Tell that to the day you need to pop your first Viagra.”

“Firefly, the day I need that little blue pill is the day you can close the coffin on me.”

“Don’t say that.” I twist in his arms, facing him. “Don’t talk that way.” I run my fingers through his closely cropped obsidian beard. “I only just got you in my life. Don’t talk about me losing you already.”

I see a bit of sadness in his eyes or maybe it’s regret. Whichever one it is, he pauses before leaning down to kiss me. “You look beautiful in your dress. I’m glad you chose this one.”

“Thank you.” I give him a peck on the lips. I knew he liked seeing me in it. When I walked into the lounge and down the makeshift aisle, I could see it in his eyes. They flared with a want I had never seen in them before.

“Do you want to know something?”

“Is it that you can’t wait to take this dress off me?”

“That too, but no. I picked out this dress. I had Sofia bring it because I knew you would look perfect in it.”

“Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

“I wanted you to choose it on your own.”

“Well, you have great taste, Mr. Carbone.” I wrap my arms around his waist and stop when I feel the armor on his back.

We hold each other’s gaze before he agrees. “That I do.” He runs his finger from the top of my temple to my jaw, watching his hand as he does. He’s absorbed in the movement of his hand, quiet before he turns me around to face the crowd below. He wraps one arm around my waist and rocks our bodies to the beat of the music. I close my eyes and enjoy the gentle gesture from a hard man. I lean my head back against his shoulder and watch the crowd below dance. In a way, I wish we were down there instead of up here. Even though the space has been transformed into wedding bliss, the atmosphere, the vibe, is just different than that of weddings I have been to in the past.

“It’s our wedding and you’re carrying.”

“I always carry.”

I don’t agree or disagree. I know the life I just married into.

Our private momentis interrupted by Antonio and his gorgeous wife, Lilah. From what I understand, Luca is her guard, and in the beginning, she was not too pleased about it. That makes me wonder if Finn will continue to be my bodyguard. Although, I highly doubt it considering Demetri hates him. Actually, from what I have seen, the feeling is mutual on Finn’s part as well.

“We good?” Demetri shifts, standing to his full height behind me, asking Antonio.

“For now. The rest is on you,” Antonio answers.

“Does that mean I can go downstairs?” Lilah bursts, twisting in her husband’s arms with a loving energy I admire as she stares at him with pleading eyes.

“No.”

“Wolfie, if you want the cookie later, you will arrange for me to go downstairs so I can dance.”

“Lilah—”

“Girls!” she yells over Antonio’s shoulder. “Want to go down below and bust a move?”

A round of yeses echo our way.

“Your ass is mine, dolcezza.”

“Always has been, Wolfie. Now round up your boys and make this happen. And wolfie, make sure they stay hidden. I don’t want them cramping my style.”

“Fucking Christ,” Antonio mutters.

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