Page 55 of Bound By A Promise
“The best,” Dante replied.
“That does it,” the priest said with a smile. “You’re officially married in the eyes of our Lord and the State of California.” He bowed his head and looked up. “Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Luciano.” He stood. “Now, after all that excitement, if it’s safe, I will be leaving.”
We turned to Silas, who was back inside with Jano, Mia, and Em.
“Our guards have completed a sweep of the property,” Silas said. “You’re safe to leave; however, the cars on the driveway are totaled.”
“Your rental car,” I said to Dante.
“I don’t give a fuck about the rental car.” He turned to Father Gallo. “I’ll replace your car, Father.”
“That would be very kind of you.”
“Tomorrow, you’ll have a new one.”
“New isn’t necessary.”
“New,” Jano said, entering the conversation. “Tonight, Silas will drive you back to the rectory.”
“Thank you for an eventful evening.”
Dante looked over at the large clock. “It’s officially a new day. In the morning, we will need to let your father know that you won’t be available for your engagement party.”
“Are we leaving now for Kansas City?” I asked.
“You’re staying here for the night,” Jano said. “Viviana has prepared the primary suite. Mia and I will sleep in the guest room.”
“You don’t need?—”
Jano lifted his hand. “We need some traditions to be honored.”
“Jano,” Em said with a phone to his ear. “Rei is on the phone.” He tilted his head toward Jano’s office.
Dante stood. “I’m here to help.”
Em lowered the phone. “I never expected this sentence to come out of my mouth, but tonight, you’re needed in consummating your marriage. All hell is going to break loose tomorrow. Don’t give them any reason to undo what was done tonight.”
My cheeks grew hotter with each of my brother’s instructions. It wasn’t quite like the chants of ‘bed her’ that Dante tried to shout at Dario and Catalina’s wedding, but the outcome would be the same.
Sirens blared in the distance.
“Go,” Em said, “Aléjandro will satisfy the police. No one will disturb you.”
Dante offered me his hand. “Mrs. Luciano, you heard your brother.”
As we started to walk away, I stopped. “Wait, are the upstairs windows also bulletproof?”
“Yes,” Jano replied. He lifted his eyebrows. “The room isn’t soundproof.”
I clung to Dante’s arm as we walked together toward the primary suite.
Chapter
Eighteen
Camila
My mind spun with each step up the staircase. The memories of the last twelve hours swirled with hurricane-strength emotions. It seemed impossible that Papá had called me into his office this very afternoon. No, it’s officially tomorrow. He called me to his office yesterday.