Chapter 30

"Don't marry the person you think you can live with. Marry the individual you can't live without."

—James Dobson

Four weeks later

Margot

Marriage.

I'd never believed in it because of my bastard father who'd walked out on the most beautiful woman in the world. His fucking loss. But now? I fingered the gorgeous necklace the love of my life had given me on his return from Italy, the diamonds and rubies sparkling in the light shining in through the window. It was so very much me, especially since he'd added a sterling silver dog charm. The man knew me better than I wanted to let on.

Today was my wedding day. Not Maria Rossi, but Margot Rollins, to one of the most powerful men in the world, Daniel Thorn.

He was sexy as all get out and I'd come to find out, more romantic than I'd originally believed possible.

As I peered at myself in the mirror, I was shocked to say that I appeared like a fairy princess. Who was that girl staring back at me in the reflection? So much had occurred over the last few weeks, the whirlwind activity including being allowed to redecorate the house. House. What was I saying? The massive estate.

To my liking.

I bit my lower lip from the thought.

Zorro woofed and raised his head, glaring at me since I'd found a little doggy tux for him to wear. He was the ringbearer after all. He needed to be a fancy boy.

"You look fabulous, pup," I told him.

He barked, his tail thumping against the floor.

"And his mommy dog looks beautiful," my mother said from behind me. As she came closer, placing her hand on my shoulder, I realized I'd never been this happy. It wasn't just because I was marrying the man of my dreams but also because she was in complete remission, the doctors believing she'd have a long life ahead of her.

She was taking that to heart, already bugging me about grandchildren.

I was eager to provide her with two, maybe three.

"Thank you, Mommy. I'm so glad you're here." My bestie Emily was also here, waiting downstairs, being entertained by Brock, who was healing nicely. He was forced to walk with a cane but had already told both Daniel and me he had no intention of keeping it. I also had a feeling it had to do with the fact he was a bit smitten with Emily. It was amazing how things worked out in the end.

"I will always be where my daughter is. I'm not going anywhere." She fluffed my veil, taking her time doing so. This was a special day for both of us.

When we heard a knock on the door, she frowned.

"Stop, Mama. Just get the door."

She rolled her eyes as if expecting Daniel, since the powerful man tended to get anything he wanted. However, she adored him and he did her as well. In fact, the entire two families were getting along famously.

When she opened the door, I was excited to see Maria and the man of her dreams, Leonardo. Maria squealed when she saw me, rushing inside. "Oh, God. You look beautiful."

"Thank you. All because of you." I meant what I said and was so happy she'd responded to treatment so well. Her warm color had returned, the brightness in her eyes becoming more intense every day. I was thrilled to see her doing so well.

"No. You saved my life. Well, you and that almost husband of yours." She laughed, staying cozied up to Leonardo, who appeared like a vulture in his efforts to watch out for the woman he loved.

"So, I hear changes are in order in Italy," I told her.

"Daniel told you." Her eyes opened wide, surprised he would share the news. She didn't know that there would never be any secrets between Daniel and me.

"That you're going to shake up the makeup of the Italian crime syndicate world by becoming the queen of the Sicilian mafia? Why, yes, he did so proudly." I lifted my head, winking at Leonardo. "And I understand you're going to be right by her side as the Consigliere of Queen Maria."

He grinned, pulling up her arm to show off one huge diamond ring.

Squealing, I rushed toward her, grabbing her into a powerful hug. "I'm so happy for you both."

"It wouldn't have happened if you hadn't provided a little encouragement." Maria blushed.

"I'm just so happy for you both. You will invite us to the wedding, now, won't you?" I asked, allowing my lips to pout.

"Are you kidding me? I want to ask you to be my maid of honor."

I was shocked, gasping before I knew what I was doing. "You do mean your matron of honor. Right?"

We all laughed and I couldn't help but reflect on how much all of us had been through during the last two months.

Daniel had told me almost everything, including about the mysterious group not affectionately titled the Death Squad. The craziness of knowing they remained out there, waiting for the next opportunity to bring down Daniel, Constantine, and the entire Brotherhood was crazy but my beloved almost husband seemed to be taking it all in stride.

The fact he'd shifted most of the responsibility to Maria in Sicily didn't mean he didn't still hold the revered title of Don, but he had no plans of taking an active role unless necessary. Plus, I'd heard the remaining Italian Dons, including the firstborn sons of the men slain had provided their promises they would watch out for her and Leonardo. That would allow Daniel and me to start a nice life together, including children.

Or so I hoped.

Zorro woofed, moving closer as if to remind me it was almost time.

The day was beautiful, the estate decked out with flowers everywhere, two different caterers eager to provide the finest cuisine. I could hear the music of the small group of musicians through the open window, the light breeze allowing me to gather a whiff of the incredible flowers and blooming shrubs.

"I am so happy for you," Maria said. "And I'll allow you to finish getting ready. Come on, handsome man. Let's grab our seats."

When they opened the door to leave, I didn't need to look to know the man I was getting ready to marry was standing just outside the door.

I'd sensed him. I'd gathered an intoxicating scent of his musky aftershave.

And every tingling sensation coursing through me was electrified, my mouth watering.

"Oh, no, you don't," my mother told him. "You're not supposed to see the bride before the wedding. It's bad luck."

"Mama. We do have an unconventional relationship. I need a few minutes while I'm still single."

She gave me the kind of look she had when I'd brought my first boyfriend home. I'd claimed he was the love of my life. She'd known better, telling me he was only trying to use me.

She'd been right.

This time, I was right.

"Fine. But don't blame any future bad luck on me." While her words were terse, she adjusted his bowtie like any good mother-in-law would do, patting him on the chest. Then she rose onto her tiptoes, whispering into his ear. All he could do was grin.

When we were finally alone, he closed the door behind them.

"What did she say to you?" I asked, planting one hand on my hip and dragging my tongue across my lips to tease him.

"Hhmm… That if I hurt you, she'll kill me with her bare hands."

"Don't ignore her warning. She's a feisty one."

He moved closer, pulling me into his arms. "Just like my bride to be."

"Me? Feisty?"

"Uh, yeah. You need to be controlled, especially that bad behavior of yours."

We'd gotten much closer over the last few weeks, the man allowing his guard to fall. Then again, so had I. The romantic side to the man had confused and thrilled me, his reactions to almost everything from enjoying cooking dinner together to playing ball with Zorro unexpected. But I was learning the man was full of surprises.

"I'm a good girl. Isn't that what you told me the last time we spent the night together?" Which to both of our dissatisfaction, had been five nights before. My mother had insisted we sleep apart prior to the wedding.

At least it was something small I could honor.

He pulled me onto my toes, lowering his head. As he pressed his lips against mine, I gathered a slight hint of bourbon on his breath.

"You're drinking now?" I teased. Who cared? It was a celebratory day.

"I had a toast with the Brotherhood members," he said in rebuttal. "They did provide us with a fabulous honeymoon in Fiji. I felt it was my duty to honor them with fulfilling their request for one drink before the wedding."

He didn't wait for me to answer, sweeping his tongue inside my mouth. The taste of him, including the cinnamon candy he'd popped into his mouth to try to disguise his faux pas sent another wave of tingles dancing down my spine. The man just did it for me all the way. I couldn't wait for our two-week trip, although my beloved Zorro couldn't go with us.

It would seem my mother was eager to bond with the pup, something I would also cherish for the rest of my life.

The kiss was a passionate moment so when he broke it, I whimpered in complaint. A grin on his mischievous face, he spun me around to the vanity, pushing me against the edge.

"What are you doing?" I demanded, giving him a stern look.

"Reminding you who's in charge in our little union of two fractured souls." He jerked up my dress, exposing my almost naked bottom, the sight of the blushing pink thong giving him a series of growls.

"I already told you. I'm a good girl."

I was so excited my tummy had more butterflies than any other time. Seeing Zorro's face as he watched his mommy and daddy dog brought more than a smile to my face. The pup was happy as could be.

Just like his mother.

Daniel grabbed the brush I'd used only minutes before. "Remember, there are rules you must follow. And if you don't, this will be the result." He grinned like some kid before bringing the wooden back of the brush down on my bottom.

The pain was nothing in comparison to the joy I had in my heart. But the man refused to stop, peppering my buttocks with savage swats, moving from side to side as he hummed some crazy tune I didn't recognize. Not that I cared.

I loved him.

And as crazy as it might sound to some, I loved our life. Together. As one.

My hero.

My sexy man.

The one I swooned over on a regular basis.

Soon to be man and wife.

At the end of the day, love was truly the only thing that mattered.

Well, that and roaring nights of passion.

The End