I tapped his shoulder and groaned. “Don’t make jokes about getting shot.”
“I will be with you at all times. So will the Knights. Cal Kurti and his men are dead. Marcello sent a team to Albania to finish his father and the rest of their associates.”
“I’m worried about The Carver,” I choked out.
“He’s waiting until our wedding to take you,” he said with confidence.
“You don’t know that for sure.”
“It’s what I would do. My father and brothers agree. You’re safe with us.”
“I don’t doubt your skills.” Sinking my teeth into my lip, I fisted the sheets between my fingers. “It’s just…”
Luca ran his fingers through my messy hair. “You can’t spend the rest of your life worrying. Trust me. We have until the wedding.”
“Is this really what you want to remember on our wedding day? Maybe we should move the date back until after you find The Carver.”
“I won’t let our enemies destroy our wedding,” he promised, his tone severe. “But you need to understand this is our only chance of eliminating the threat against us.”
I had always put my faith in Luca, so I nodded.
“Okay. But if our perfect day turns out to be a nightmare, we’re eloping in the Mediterranean.”
“It won’t come to that.” He tapped my ass, a smirk in place. “Get your sexy ass in the shower. You have to help Kali and the Belles prepare for tonight’s event.”
I kissed his lips. “So bossy.”
“You love it when I boss you around.” Luca carried me into the bathroom. “Tonight is a night you will never forget, my queen.”
“And why is that?”
“It’s a surprise,” he said with a wink.
Alex
I hated stuffy catered events that required me to mingle with the WASPs of Devil’s Creek. A few of my grandfather’s friends stopped at our table with their wives. We engaged in the obligatory boring conversations.
Everyone in our inner circle was in attendance for the Founders’ Ball. I wondered if The Carver would make an appearance. Would he wait until the wedding to steal me from Luca? And why the hell did he even care about winning me in an auction? There were dozens of women listed for sale at the Il Circo auction. He could have easily replaced me.
As I swept through the room on Luca’s arm, I offered stories to entertain the women, leaving out the corrupt truths about my life. The Salvatores and the Wellingtons were among the honorees. All the founding families sat at the front of the room at a long banquet table. Aiden was across the room, flirting and drinking with local girls.
My mother drank flutes of champagne as if Prohibition started in the morning. Her eyes darted across the room to Arlo occasionally.
I swiped a glass of champagne from a server’s tray and took a sip. Downing the first glass in one gulp, I licked my lips as the sweetness hit my tongue.
Savanna Cormac approached me, dressed in a black, silky gown, her blond hair pinned into a curled updo. She sipped from a glass of champagne as she stopped beside me. We spoke about the Devil’s Creek Belles and the future of the women’s group. I expressed my lack of desire to lead them, but she assured me I would be better than Blair.
Sonny strolled up to us with a beer in his hand and a sexy smirk. Dressed in a bespoke suit that fit his muscular body like a glove, he slid his arm behind my back, pushing my hip into his side. “Is my mother boring you with stories about the Belles?”
I shook my head. “No, just girl talk.”
“Nothing you want to hear,” Savanna said to her son with a smile. “If you’ll excuse me, I have to say hello to Patrice. That old hag will hunt me down if I don’t acknowledge her.”
She disappeared in a flash, moving through the crowd like a wraith.
“You need to turn that frown upside down,” Sonny said with a playful smile. “Everyone is watching.”
“Society parties are not my thing,” I confessed.
Sonny offered me his arm. “Dance with me.”
“Isn’t that Drake’s job?” I joked.
“You’re mine, for now, Little Wellington.” His eyes traveled over my dress, scanning every inch of my body. “You look gorgeous. Like a queen. All you need is a crown.”
I smiled up at him. “Do I get one at my ceremony?”
“Luca hasn’t told you.”
I shook my head. “I think he’s waiting until that night to go into detail.”
“It doesn’t have to be so ceremonial.” Sonny waggled his eyebrows. “You remember what we did last time in the temple.” He winked. “For one night, you belong to all of us. I’m looking forward to the ceremony.”
“Why is this such a big deal?”
“Most Knights don’t get the chance to worship the new queen. There are hundreds of Knights spread throughout the country. Only the highest-ranking members take part.”