Buttons and Pain (Buttons 3)

Button knew I loved it just by looking at the expression on my face.

The ceremony was performed in Italian but Button was able to pick on most of it. When it was her turn to complete the exchange she said I do in Italian, and I did as well. The ceremony happened in the blink of an eye and then it was over. Then it was finally time for the best part.

Kissing the bride.

Button smiled as she waited for it, for the first kiss we would share as husband and wife. That knowing look was in her eyes, like she knew how much I wanted to kiss her, probably even more than she did.

I pulled her closer into my arms then cupped her face. Like I had a hundred times, I kissed her. But this one was different. I told this woman I loved her without saying it with words. I told her I would be nothing without her, that she was the single most important thing in the world. I pledged my loyalty and my life eternally—forever.

Chapter Twenty-One

Pearl

We arrived in Mykonos and checked into our hotel. It was on the tip of the island, curved inwards so we could see the beautiful white buildings with blue roofs that I’d seen countless times in photos and in film.

The flight was short but so far the trip hadn’t felt romantic. A detail of five guards followed us everywhere we went, trailing behind us with guns stowed away inside their heavy coats.

We entered our room and finally shut the door behind us.

“Is it really necessary to have them follow us around?”

Crow set our suitcases off to the side then gripped my hips with his strong hands. “Just ignore them, Button.”

“But don’t you think they’re drawing more attention to us than if we were here alone?”

He pressed his forehead to mine, his gentle touch scorching me. “If it were just me, I would risk it. But with you, I can’t afford to take risks.” He kissed my temple before he stepped away, his black wedding ring made of buttons still on his finger. “Do you like the room?”

I snorted because the question was ridiculous.

He turned back and looked at me, an eyebrow raised.

“Crow, the room is beautiful. It’s like a damn palace. And this place is beautiful. I just wish it was just us.”

“I’m sorry, Button.” He opened the back doors and let the sea air blow inside. “Until Bones is dead, this is how it has to be.” He stepped onto the spacious balcony and looked across the water. Sailboats and yachts sprinkled the coast, and the sun hit the roofs of the buildings just right, making the sunlight reflect back into the open sea.

I came to his side and looked across the beauty of Greece. “It’s beautiful here.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

“Have you been here before?”

“I’ve been to the mainland, but not this island.”

“So, it’s a first for both of us.”

“Yes.” He wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me close to him. “A first of many.” His lips brushed against my hairline before he squeezed my waist. “What would you like to do first? The town has a lot of small shops that you’ll like. Or we can go to the beach and dig our feet into the sand.”

I wanted to go sight-seeing but there was something I wanted to do more. “How about we just stay in for the night?” I ran my hands up his chest and looked into his deep brown eyes. We just got married that afternoon and I was eager to make our marriage official in this beautiful place. “We can go explore tomorrow.”

He didn’t smile but the look in his eyes grew more intense. “Whatever Mrs. Barsetti wants, she gets.”

***

I thought Tuscany was the most beautiful place in the world, but I quickly realized how naïve I was. The culture and beauty of Greece was unlike anything in the known world. It was more than just beautiful—it was breathtaking.

Downtown wasn’t accessible by cars. Instead, it was lined with cobbled streets for pedestrians as they did their shopping. Antique stores, and small shops with gourmet food was condensed into this small area. I had lots of sweets, and I tried their version of a Frappuccino—and it was the best thing I’ve ever had.

Crow arranged for a yacht to take us around the island, and we got a more intimate view of the place. Sunsets and sunrises were equally beautiful, and paradise wasn’t just a dream but a reality. We dined on fresh seafood, wine, and Mediterranean food that nearly put Italian cuisine to shame.

It was a dream honeymoon.

We had dinner together on our balcony, room service that catered to Crow’s specific tastes. Being in the room was the only time when the guards weren’t hot on our tail. The privacy was nice and appreciated.