“You know it’s two am in the morning,” my second in charge mutters.
“This is the only time I have to check in with you. I’m in Germany. Do you need me for anything while on your side of the world?”
“No, Diego and I’ve got everything covered,” he mumbles.
“Send me the sales figures for the last quarter,” I instruct.
“You don’t trust us?”
I let out a chuckle, joking, “Just want to make sure the two of you aren’t fucking around while I’m not there.”
“I’m offended.”
Deciding to let the man continue sleeping, I say, “I’ll be home after the wedding.”
“Can’t wait,” he grumbles. “I need a vacation.”
“We’ll talk about it when I’m in Italy.”
I end the call, and feeling better after checking in with Lorenzo, my thoughts turn to Pavlovic.
The man played his cards right. We were chasing the decoy while he probably watched and learned a fuck-ton about me.
Cudos, Pavlovic. Cudos.
But now it’s time to end this cat and mouse game.
Chapter 40
Mariya
I’m enjoying a day out with my mom, Aunt Elena, and Violet.
I’ve missed this so much. I don’t hate being at home, but damn, a girl needs her shopping time.
Especially this girl.
I’m grinning from ear to ear as I step out of the fitting room with Violet’s help.
Just one more week, and the damn cast comes off. I can’t freaking wait.
Mom and Aunt Elena stop talking, and their jaws drop as they stare at me.
“You look gorgeous, Mariya,” My mother-in-law breathes.
Mom’s face crumbles. “Nooo, Mami,” I coo as I hold open my arms. “Come here.”
Mom rushes into my arms, hugging me tightly to her as she’s overcome with emotion from seeing me in my wedding dress.
The dress is everything I wanted it to be. Feminine yet badass. Classy yet sexy. For Dad’s sake, I didn’t let the V neckline dip too low.
Mom pulls back and holds me at arm's length as she looks at me. “You look absolutely breathtaking, sweetheart.”
“I do, don’t I,” I beam, my hands caressing the lace. “Help me to the mirror.”
Mom wraps her arm around my lower back, and careful not to step on the dress, she helps me onto the small podium in the bridal boutique.
My eyes drift over the stunning dress, my heart full of happiness.
Mom and Aunt Elena take photos while Violet pours us each a glass of champagne.
“Luca is going to love the dress,” Aunt Elena mentions.
“Right,” I chuckle.
She comes to stand next to the podium and says, “I’m so glad the two of you decided to make the marriage work.”
“You’ve raised an amazing man, Aunt Elena. I’m lucky to have him.”
She presses a hand to her heart and gives me an affectionate smile. “When are you going to call me mamma?”
My eyes dart to Mom, unsure if I would offend her, but she waves a hand at us. “Elena is right. You can’t call your in-laws uncle and aunt all your life.”
I give Mom a grateful smile, then grin at my mother-in-law. “I guess that answers your question.”
“Champagne time,” Violet calls out.
“Not with the dress on,” Mom says before Violet can hand me a flute. Mom helps me back to the dressing room and out of my wedding dress.
“I’m so glad we’re getting to do this,” she murmurs as she hangs the dress up.
“Me too.” I quickly put on the silk blouse and skirt I chose to wear for the day’s outing.
When Mom and I step out of the dressing room, we take our flutes filled with bubbly.
Violet holds up her glass, then says, “To Mariya and Luca not killing each other, and to getting drunk and finding true love at the bottom of their glasses.”
“Jesus, Violet,” Mom chuckles. “Remind me not to let you speak at the wedding.”
We all laugh as we enjoy our drinks before leaving for the cake tasting.
Lying face to face in Luca’s arms, I let out a happy sigh.
“What’s the sigh for?” he asks while brushing his fingers up and down my back.
“Just thinking about today. I had fun with our moms and Violet.”
“I’m glad you spent some time with them.” He presses a kiss to my forehead. “Thank you for including my mom. She called to tell me how much she loved it.”
“It was my pleasure. I love spending time with her.” I grin at him. “She asked me to call her mamma.”
A wide smile spreads over his handsome face. “And?”
“I’m going to call her mamma, of course.”
I’m rewarded with another brush of his lips against my nose.
“Violet said something today that got me wondering about something.” I start trailing patterns on his bare chest and circling his right peck. “You said you weren’t drunk the night of my birthday.”
A frown starts to form on his forehead. “Yeah?”
“Tell me what happened.”
“You got out of your mind drunk,” he chuckles, looking relieved.
“Everyone knows that part,” I roll my eyes at him. “I want to know the rest.”