Coming Home (Morelli Family 6)

I just hope the ceremony itself isn’t dramatic. I told myself Mateo was worrying overly much about Vince, but then I started thinking about my time in Vegas more realistically and realized maybe he’s not. It’s probably not insane to think the ex who kidnapped me and hauled me across the country after four years might show up with the intention of ruining my wedding to the man he loathes. He sold out loved ones for the resources to take me from Mateo—he has nothing left to lose.

Even as the thought flits through my mind, though, two large men with guns stand guard outside the door at the end of the hall. The only problem with the theater is that there are so many doors and windows, so the place is crawling with thug-like men that I’ve never, ever seen before.

Bella leads the procession, with Meg, Francesca, and Elise following. Rosalie is my flower girl, so she goes next. I only see her walk through the archway, then the red curtain is lowered so I can take my place and wait for my own entrance. I’m entering below a staircase, so there’s actually a person at the top lowering and raising this curtain for me.

I hear people rising on the other side of the curtain and my heart speeds up. Adrian offered to stick it to decorum and walk me down the aisle even though he’s the best man, but I told him that was all right. I don’t need anyone to give me away, I can do it myself. Frankly, I’ve shared enough in my time—this moment is all mine.

I tell myself I’m prepared as the piano player in the next room plays the first notes of the wedding march. I try to keep my cool as the red curtain in front of me suddenly starts to rise.

I remember too late we forgot to put my veil over my face. We were so busy arranging it to look pretty, I forgot its function. Oh well, it’s too late now. It doesn’t matter anyway.

Now the curtain rises high enough that I see Mateo standing at the end of the aisle, so handsome in his white tux with his gold tie. A red carpet is laid out, dotted with white rose petals that Rosalie just dropped, but all I can focus on is the man waiting for me at the end. My heart has wings. Excitement travels through me and leaves gooseflesh in its wake.

His warm brown eyes rake over my body, taking in the sight of me in my wedding gown. I take the first step forward, trying to breathe as a million eyes follow me. I only care about two of them. His appraisal of his bride apparently done, Mateo’s warm gaze returns to mine.

I’m already convinced this is the most magical moment of my life, then he gives me a slow, sexy grin and winks at me. How I keep my heart from flying out of my chest is beyond me. How he can still have this dizzying effect on me after all this time I don’t know, but boy, does he.

I don’t look anywhere else. I don’t think—I just reach for his hand when I get to him. He squeezes it and pulls me in. His free hand goes to my waist and he pulls me close, brushing his lips against mine.

A little murmur of chuckling, snorting, and murmuring comes from the assembled guests.

The officiant remarks, “It’s not time for that yet, son.”

“I don’t care,” Mateo states, smiling as he lets his gaze move over me again. “You’re breathtaking.”

I’m smiling so hard it hurts. I want to speak, to offer him a compliment back—to tell him he’s the most handsome man I’ve ever had the pleasure to look upon, to tell him he’s my everything, to tell him I’m so happy to be here with him. I don’t trust my voice, though. I’m trembling with nerves and excitement, so all I can do is shakily squeeze his hand.

He gives me another warm smile, his hand still at my waist, and gives me another tender kiss before taking a step back and assuming the position. The officiant addresses the room and does a reading, butI can’t even focus on it. I stand across from Mateo and we hold hands, but suddenly it feels like we’re moving too fast. I don’t remember the words; my brain has gone completely blank.

Thankfully he goes first, and he’s used to commanding a room, so speaking in front of people is no big deal to him. His strong voice, his firm grip, the strength of his presence steadies me. His words, even if rehearsed and repeated, wash over me and fill me with peace.

“I, Mateo, take you, Mia, to be my wife. I promise you my deepest love and devotion for as long as we both shall live.”