Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 88580 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 443(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88580 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 443(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
“Yep, plus a bunch of other concessions I’ll tell you about later. Right now I just want to get through this.”
She pats my arm. “I’m here for you, don’t worry. No matter what.”
I nod, and before we can start talking again, we step into the judge’s chambers.
It happens fast. The judge is an older man in his late sixties with thinning gray hair and a sunken face. He presides over the ceremony, if we can even call it that. I stand in front of his desk with Adler as the judge asks some simple questions, fills out a form, has us both sign a couple documents, and pronounces us married. “You may kiss the bride, if you’d like,” the judge says with a shrug. “Most folks want to.”
Adler turns to me. I stare into his face, acutely aware of Roxie, Will, and the judge watching. I don’t know what to do with my hands—what to say—what to think. I just married a rich gangster, and my life is about to change. I’m terrified, I’m sweating, I’m nervous—
But all of that disappears when Adler presses a hand to my chin, tilts it toward him, and touches my lips with his own.
This is a different kiss than the one we shared in the space lounge. This is softer, more appropriate for the setting—much less tongue, much less heat—but it still sends a jolt of pure want skittering down my spine like a nail across raw bone. I resist the need to yelp in surprise, and barely control the impulse to throw myself against him.
The kiss ends faster than the first one, but leaves me wanting more.
“Thank you, Judge Steward,” Adler says, though he’s still staring at me. “I assume everything is in order?”
“Yes, it’s all in order. Do you know the last time I performed a wedding? It was for my niece twenty-five years ago.”
“You’re still very good at it.” Adler nods to the old man and ushers me out of the chambers.
Once in the hall, I lace my arm through Adler’s and we move slowly back to the front. Roxie’s stuck behind us with Will, and I can tell she doesn’t like it. They’re actively not speaking, and Roxie’s doing her best to walk a few steps behind him.
“What’s with them?” I whisper to Adler.
He only shakes his head. “No idea.”
Strange. A mystery. But one I don’t get to consider for long. Once we’re outside, Adler turns to his second-in-command. “Grab the car. Roxie, would you mind giving me and my wife a moment?”
“Uh, sure,” Roxie says, and only moves off when I nod.
Adler’s presence leans closer. He’s a big man, suddenly bigger as the reality of what just happened begins to crush against my chest.
I just married into the Costa family.
Gangsters, hotel owners, rich and powerful business people.
And now I’m the first wife of the new generation.
It’s hard to wrap my head around it, and unlucky for me, Adler doesn’t seem interested in giving me some time to acclimate.
“I sent my men to your house,” he says, leaning down to speak quietly. “They’ll gather your things and bring them to our apartment.”
“Wait, hold on,” I say, heart racing. “They’re going to my house?”
“Yes, is there a problem?”
“My dad’s there. My mom might be there. They’ll freak out.”
“My men can handle your parents.” Adler’s head tilts. Then his eyes narrow. “You didn’t tell them, did you?”
I clench my jaw. “No, and that’s none of your business.”
“We just got married, in case you weren’t paying attention in there. Your family is my family now.”
“Oh, really? Does that mean your brothers are my family now too?”
“And my mother.”
I shiver and look away. Crap. I forgot about his mother. “Just, can I break the news to them?”
“You’d better do it fast.” He glances at his watch. “They should arrive shortly.”
“Shit.” I push away from him and pull out my phone. I have just enough time to glare at him before my father answers the home number.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Dad, it’s Casey. Listen, this is going to sound weird, but a bunch of guys are on their way to the house right now. They’re going to clear out my room. Don’t freak out, it’s okay.”
A short silence. “Are you joking right now? Are you high?”
“No, Dad, I’m not joking,” I say and drop my voice. “And I’m not high. Just listen, please. They’re coming to move my stuff into a new apartment. I’ll be living somewhere else for a while.”
“You will?” He sounds surprised. “Really?”
“Yes, and—”
“Who the fuck’s going to help me?” His voice turns to a rough growl. “Who’s gonna cook when your mother’s not home?”
“Dad, there are cans of soup in the pantry, and we can figure something else out. For now, just please, don’t bother the guys.”
“What the hell is going on, Casey? What’d you get mixed up in? I thought you were the good one. Do I gotta worry about you too on top of your piece-of-shit brother?”