Chapter 8 - The Man at the Wedding
Six months later, Casius asked me to marry him.
He didn't get on one knee.
He simply put a small box on the kitchen counter.
“I don't want a contract.”
I opened it.
A ring.
“I don't want an alliance.”
He continued.
“I don't want protection.”
I stared at him.
“What do you want?”
“You.”
I laughed through tears.
“That's a terrifyingly simple answer.”
“I've made complicated mistakes.”
“So have I.”
“I know.”
He took my hand.
“Will you marry me?”
“Yes.”
The wedding was planned for spring.
Mrs. Bellini insisted on making a new dress.
I refused to wear Victoria's.
“That one belongs to your mother.”
Casius smiled.
“She'd disagree.”
“She'd say I'm stealing it.”
“She'd say you're returning it.”
Three days before the wedding, Marco attacked.
He sent a package.
Inside was a photograph.
My sister.
My mother.
And one sentence.
Tonight.
At midnight.
Come alone.
I wanted Casius to stay out of it.
He refused.
We went together.
The location was an old train station.
Marco was waiting.
He looked older.
Tired.
Not invincible anymore.
“You could have ruled the city,” he said to Casius.
“I don't want it.”
“You could have had everything.”
“I already do.”
Marco laughed.
“You think she changed you?”
Casius looked at me.
“She reminded me who I was.”
Marco raised his weapon.
Police surrounded the station.
He smiled.
“You think I came unprepared?”
Men emerged from the shadows.
Then a voice shouted:
“Drop it!”
Gemma stepped forward.
She had been working undercover.
For months, she had helped federal investigators track Marco's money.
The engagement ring I'd seen on the floor had been hers.
She had planted it to make us suspect the wrong person.
Marco looked shocked.
“You betrayed me.”
Gemma shook her head.
“You kidnapped me.”
“I offered you power.”
“You offered me fear.”
Federal agents moved in.
Marco surrendered.
The war was over.
That night, Casius and I sat outside the courthouse.
He looked exhausted.
“Tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow.”
“Our wedding.”
“Our wedding.”
He smiled.
“You're sure?”
May you like
I leaned against him.
“I've never been more sure.”
