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“He swore me to secrecy. However, I’d like to go on record as trying to talk him out of this plan.”
She folds her arms and glares at him. “For some reason, I doubt you tried very hard.”
Tácito shrugs and kisses her on the forehead. “It’s hard to fight against my own interests, but at least I made the effort. Pet the kitty. You’ll feel better after.” He lifts Cielo until she and Sloane are eye level.
With a disgruntled frown, she rubs the feline’s chin. “Is this how things are going to be between us? With you two ganging up on me? Because if so—”
I march toward her and grasp her chin in an unbreakable hold. “The next words out of your mouth better not be anything foolish, like you’re rethinking walking down that aisle. If they are, let me assure you I will haul your ass down there just as you are. Try to deny me in front of that crowd.”
Sloane glares at me. Out of nowhere she slugs me, breaking my hold on her chin and sending me to the ground. She stands over me, a furious, gorgeous angel. “Let’s get some things straight. I’ll only take so much of you and Tácito pushing me around. I don’t know those people outside, so I’m prepared to read you for filth in front of everyone.”
Her ire highlights every feature I’ve obsessed over since I was a boy and joyful laughter bursts from me. I can’t help it. I’ve never felt this light after being knocked on my ass. The truth is, Sloane can hit me anytime.
“This isn’t funny.” She stomps her foot. “Did you even think to invite my parents?” She sharply inhales and the gleam in her eyes betrays the weakness she tries to hide from me.
I stand and hug her, though she writhes in my arms to deny the comfort I want to give. She doesn’t try very hard. Once she settles, I ask, “How long have we known each other?”
“Forever,” she whispers.
I step back and take her hand in mine. “Follow me.” I drag her reluctant body out of the office, leaving Tácito behind. At the double doors of a private sitting room, I tell her, “Go inside.”
Upon opening the door, she gasps. “Mom? Dad?”
“Sloane, sweetie?” Her mother, Mary, says and rushes to envelop her daughter in a tight hug. Her father, Damian, isn’t far behind, enclosing both women in his long arms.
“I… When… How… I’m so glad you’re here. Oh my God, I’m going to ruin my makeup.” Sloane goes from fanning her eyes to hugging her parents, repeating the gestures.
“Don’t you dare bawl like a baby. You look too pretty to mess up all that work you had done,” Damian says, making her laugh.
“When did you get here?”
“Last night.” Mary separates from her daughter, but continues to pat her shoulders. “I can’t tell you how surprised we were to get the invitation, then Valentino called and asked your dad to walk you down the aisle…”
“Right?” her father says. “First, we were worried you’d never get married. Then I had to pay your mom for losing the bet because I swore Tácit—oomph.”
Mary elbows Damian in the stomach.
“Bet?” Sloane looks between her parents, who feign innocence by looking everywhere but at her.
“I’ll make sure to let Tácito know he would have had your approval,” I say with a grin.
“I can’t believe you two. To think you placed bets on my love life. How—”
“As entertaining as this conversation is bound to be,” I interrupt Sloane from starting a new argument, “we have guests waiting and you still need to get in your dress.”
“Yes! I’ll help. Just show me where we’re going.” Mary takes Sloane’s arm and ushers her out.
“Don’t think this is the end of things,” Sloane says, glaring at me as she guides her mother upstairs.
I can’t help but follow their progress with my eyes until they disappear from sight.
“You know, son, there’s something fishy about this slap-dash wedding. If not for how my daughter has always felt for you, I would have real reservations about giving you my blessing and walking her down the aisle.” Damian stares intently into my face.
Although Sloane kept her distance from her parents when she decided to work as an assassin, she did it to protect them. Since she won’t be in that line of business any longer, surprising her with them at the wedding seemed like the right thing to do. Even if Damian has reservations about me, I won’t let it stop me from making Sloane mine.
Damian scratches the back of his head. “But you’ve always defied the odds to make sure you stayed in my daughter’s life. I suspect you’ve gone above what most will do, though I doubt you’ll ever tell me.” He slams his hand on my shoulder, ensuring I feel the heaviness of his hold. “She internalizes a lot of things, never sharing her burdens with anyone. Just promise me you’ll help her carry whatever load prevents her from coming home.”
“I promise. I’ll work on getting her home, too.”
