Page 50 of Bound By A Promise

“I have a ring, too.”

“Then we should proceed. Dante.”

I removed the ruby ring from my pocket and lifted Camila’s left hand. “Camila, receive this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”

Camila’s smile was radiant as she lifted my hand and pressed the band over my knuckle. “Dante, receive this ring as a sign…”

Her love.

Her fidelity.

They were mine and I’d treasure them as I would treasure her.

“In the sight of God and these witnesses, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Dante, you may now kiss your bride.”

Leaning down, I cupped her cheek and brought my lips to hers, tasting her sweetness.

“Go in peace.” As the priest’s words came forth, a whirling sound came into range.

The noise grew louder as Silas yelled for everyone to go into the house. Seizing Camila’s hand, I pulled her along with me as I unsheathed my gun. Silas closed the glass doors. With the lights within still off, our wedding party was covered in darkness as well as behind glass.

Each man was armed, the barrels of the guns reflecting the lights from outside.

“What is it?” Camila asked, her hand trembling in mine.

“Helicopter,” Aléjandro answered. “Get back, away from the windows. Silas, contact the guards. Mia?”

“I’m here.”

The whirling grew even louder, shaking the walls. The whirl became deafening as if the helicopter were over the house.

Aléjandro shouted, “Take Camila, Viviana, and Father Gallo.”

“Come this way,” Mia instructed. Her silhouette barely showed against the backdrop of the front windows. Spotlights moved over the pool deck from above.

Fuck.

“Who did you tell?” I screamed over the noise at Emiliano.

“No one, motherfucker. I wouldn’t risk my sister’s life.”

“Bring her here.” Mia’s voice called from the darkness.

“Where?” I asked.

“Safe room.”

At the sound of the answer, Camila clung tighter to my hand and buried her face in my shirt. “No, please. I can’t do this again.” Her entire body trembled.

“Where is it?” I asked. Lowering my voice, I whispered in Camila’s ear, “You’ll be safe.”

“I can’t…I was alone.”

“You won’t be alone,” I promised.

Mia directed me to Aléjandro’s office. Within the closet, she moved a lever, causing the back bookcase to move. If there wasn’t a threat to my family and those I cared about, I could be impressed.

My sister offered Camila her hand. “Come with me.”