Page 57 of His Savage Bride
“Don’t tell her that,” I protest. “She’s already starting to run out of pants that fit.”
“There’s nothing to be upset about,” my mother scoffs. “It just means my grandchild is growing big and healthy.”
“That’s what I’ve told her too,” I agree. “Leonard,” I call out to my uncle as he and Trenton reappear at the top of the stairs. “Please make some coffee and bring it to the library. We’re going to get back to work on the save the date announcements.”
“Of course, Maximo. I’ll bring it in momentarily,” Leonard replies. “Adeline, please tell Constance what we discussed in the car.”
“I will, Leonard. Thank you!” My mother nods to him and then walks towards the library.
“I’ll be outside if you need me,” Trenton says as he pulls his vape from his pocket and steps past me, then goes out on the front porch.
I follow my mother and step inside just in time to see Constance stand and embrace her. “Adeline, thank you so much for coming to help. I have so many questions about the family and you’ll have to help me decide where to seat them at the reception.”
“I can only imagine, my dear.” My mother laughs as she sits down beside Constance in the chair that I recently abandoned. Idon’t mind. I can’t stand sitting for any length of time right now. Getting up and down hurts more than walking.
“What did you and Leonard talk about in the car that you need to discuss with Constance?” I ask my mother as she looks over a seating chart.
“This, actually,” she replies as she taps a manicured fingernail to the diagram. Our wedding may be a year away, but with the baby coming, Constance wants to do as much wedding planning now as she can. “What to do about your cousin, Cindy. You remember Leonard’s daughter, Cindy, don’t you dear?” she asks Constance.
Constance gives her a flat, unamused look as she holds up her arm and points to the faint scars where my cousin had hit her with a vase at Enzo and Luca’s funeral. “I have constant reminders of Cousin Cindy,” she replies with a shake of her head.
“I see you’ve still got her on the seating chart, however. I assume you intend to invite her to the wedding?” My mother directs the question at me as well as Constance.
“I intend to invite everyone in the family, including your brother Phillip and his wife. They don’t have to accept, but I’m willing to entertain their apologies for how they acted at the funeral,” I tell her.
“But as you can see, we’re still keeping them in the back of the room.” Constance can’t hide the grimace that flickers across her lips.
“It’s a good idea,” Melissa chimes in. “You want to give yourself plenty of space to keep an eye on them. Don’t put any flowers or place settings on their table, though. You might even want to consider only giving them paper plates. Doesn’t that girl Cindy have an arm on her?”
“She played softball in high school,” my mother deadpans, causing Constance to burst into laughter. I love that sound. I didn’t hear it much at the start of our relationship, but sincewe’ve rid ourselves of the Volkovs it’s been the constant music of my life.
When Trenton opens the door to let Leonard in with the coffee service, I limp to the table and take a seat with everyone. My head is buzzing softly from the alcohol but the throbbing in my hip has already eased, and I find that I’m not too uncomfortable as I stretch my leg out under the table.
Trenton sits across from me looking a little glassy-eyed. Melissa leans over to whisper something to him. As they beam a smile at each other, I can’t help thinking how lucky we both are. Not just to have survived everything my enemies have thrown at us, including taking Constance’s father, Enzo, Luca, and Joey from us, but to find these incredible women who have accepted us, even as flawed as we are.
When Constance glances at me, her brow furrows in concern. “Are you all right?” she asks. “You look like you’re hurting.”
“I’m fine, firefly. I was just thinking of what I would do if anyone ever tried to come between any of us again.” I feel an easy smile replace the grimace I must’ve had on my face.
“Don’t worry,” she reassures me as she reaches across the table and pats my arm. “No one is going to dare to raise a hand against you. Everyone in this city knows now what will happen if they were to try.”
“Yes, they do,” I agree as I gaze into her eyes. “Even if they were brave enough to challenge me, they would never survive the wrath of my savage bride.”
Only God could have designed a woman so perfect for me, and only God can help anyone who ever dares to cross her.
EPILOGUE
“I’ve spent my whole life keeping her safe the best way I knew how. One day that job won’t be mine anymore.”
— ROBERT MONROE
Maximo
One Year Later…
I never thoughtI’d see the day when my house was so loud and yet…peaceful.
And yet here I am, standing in the doorway of the nursery, watching my entire future unfold before me like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
