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In a few minutes a dress delivery will cause all manner of hell to break loose, leaving me to wonder how heavy handed my response will be or if I can leverage the tiny animal in my arms. I smile in anticipation. All hell is worth walking through when it comes to making Sloane my wife. A knock distracts me from Sloane’s fiery image.
“I never thought I’d see the day when the Valentino DeLuca settled down.” Kent Luxe, a DeLuca associate who’s managed to secure a slew of city contracts for his commercial real estate company, stands at my door with a genuine smile on his face.
“Once upon a time you were in my shoes.” I extend my hand out to shake his.
A shadow crosses Kent’s face. “That was a lifetime ago, but one I’ve never regretted.”
I should have been more cautious with my words. Kent’s wife died almost ten years ago and he hasn’t expressed interest in another woman since. “Did you come with your daughter?”
The darkness dissipates from his expression and a fond smile stretches his lips. “Yes, she flew in this weekend to keep her old man company, but I think it’s because she expects you to serve fancy hors d’oeuvres. I don’t know what’s gotten into her, but she lives like a miser and acts like her trust fund doesn’t exist.”
“Sounds like she has something to prove and Daddy’s money can’t help.”
Kent looks over my shoulder toward the windows, a speculative gleam in his eyes. “As long as a man didn’t plant the idea in her head, I’m okay with it. If she ever truly needs help, she knows she’ll get it.”
I place Cielo on a chair where she curls into a ball. I clap Kent on the shoulder and turn him towards an usher but he stiffens.
“I get that you’re busy and this isn’t the best time to bring this up, but we need to meet. Preferably before you go on your honeymoon.”
I frown at Kent’s words. “Give me a hint to what this is about.”
“Your problems with Chief Thorne are causing me problems. Before I make any moves or involve your father, I thought it best to have a conversation with you first.”
Sansone’s warning whispers in my ear.
“I’ll get Trevor to find time to discuss the problem. In the meantime, please join your daughter. I’m expecting a minor crisis in a few minutes and would rather handle it in private.”
Kent pinches his lips but nods and leaves. On his heels, Tácito enters the room. He wears the same style tuxedo as I do. Although the both of us can’t legally marry Sloane, once she signs the papers, she’ll be our wife, not just mine. We planned symbolic gestures during the ceremony to reflect his role as Sloane’s other husband because I refuse to hide his role in our relationship any more than necessary.
“I saw the dress being delivered.” Tácito saunters to the bench by the window and faces the door with a look of feverish expectation on his smug face. “I wish I had some popcorn. Tell me, how is it that she hasn’t made a fuss up until now?”
I fold my arms. “Who would make a fuss when presented with a personal in-home spa treatment and makeover?”
“You never told her why she’s spent all day getting her body, hair, and makeup done?” Tácito approaches Cielo, who stretches and welcomes being held in his arms.
“Do I look like an idiot? Why would I give her another opportunity to negotiate a new wedding date?”
“Because it would have been the gentlemanly thing to do, asshole!” Sloane storms into the room and my heart stops beating, depriving me of oxygen for countless seconds.
She is in a silky, white robe, but it could have been a diamond encrusted dress for all I care. Her skin glows from within and beautiful flowers adorn her hair in an intricate updo that tempts me to dishevel her. I clasp my hands behind my back in a bid to control my impulses.
“I don’t know if it’s the occasion, but I never thought you could look more beautiful to me,” Tácito says. He is as awestruck as I am by the vision she presents.
“Oh…um…thank you.” Sloane shyly glances away.
Tácito walks around her, taking in every inch of her. “I can’t wait to see how you improve the dress.”
“Tácito!” I groan right before hellfire and brimstone flames to life again in Sloane’s eyes.
“Right, the dress! Valentino, I only agreed to marrying you a few weeks ago. How on earth is there a wedding taking place today and I’m only now hearing about it? A wedding where I’m the bride.”
“I think I exercised great restraint.”
“Restraint? How on earth… You had to have started planning something this big well before I said yes.”
“And? Hauling you to city hall for a civil ceremony was a real possibility the second you agreed to marrying me. Even then, this event was still going to take place.”
Sloane turns to Tácito. “And you knew about this the whole time?”
