Total pages in book: 20
Estimated words: 18514 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 93(@200wpm)___ 74(@250wpm)___ 62(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 18514 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 93(@200wpm)___ 74(@250wpm)___ 62(@300wpm)
“What can I say? I’m a man obsessed.”
“That you are. Now how about another round before we get some food because I’m starving,” he says, rubbing his stomach.
“It’s not all bad.”
“I don’t doubt it. You didn’t get to that size, not eating.”
“True.”
****
It’s our wedding day. Although the past day has been a true case in control and frustration, we made it through. I had to go without having my woman in my arms while I slept. I let Gloria and Aria share a bedroom so they can have some sisterly time before Gloria becomes my wife. Besides, it’s safer for Aria that way. Not that Peter tried anything, but perhaps that’s because there was extra protection for her. It would be a death sentence if he tried, but I’m starting to wonder if he’s not a tad bit crazy to give a shit.
Yesterday I took the girls out onto the fields so that Aria can draw to her heart’s content. Mostly, Peter kept his distance and didn’t make any crass comments, but the day is young.
“Good morning, Cormack. You look ready to run.” I nod and shake her father’s hand.
“To the church…I’m more than ready to get this over with. I love her and can’t wait for Gloria to be my wife.” Her father smiles at me and claps his hand on my shoulder.
“That’s really good because I’d hate to have to kill you when I was just starting to like you.”
“Same here.” I wink.
“I can’t say the same for your brother. My family and I will leave in the morning.”
“Understood. We will be there in about two months. I have a lot to do before we go on our honeymoon, so there will be no need to fly back to Ireland for at least six months.”
“So about your sister-in-law…”
“Yes?’
“She seems very sweet. Is there something we could do to help her escape?”
“She doesn’t want to leave yet. I’m not sure what’s holding her up, but I’ve offered on numerous occasions. I believe she’s afraid he’ll come after her if she leaves.”
“I wouldn’t put it past him. Men like him don’t want their wives, but they don’t want them leaving either.”
As the time for the wedding winds down, I become anxious. Loving Gloria is the best thing to happen to me. A part of me believes my father’s here today to see me marry my greatest love. She’s everything to me. His death brought her to me as terrible as that is, I’m grateful that she took the challenge to run into me. My world would never be whole without her. I only wish that we met sooner.
The music begins and my brother finally takes his place by my side, but I ignore him as I focus on the church entrance as my bride makes her way to me. There are no words to describe how incredible she looks in a dress her mother brought for her. I couldn’t believe she had one ready. I thought Aria had been joking, but I’d been dead wrong. Six different options all suiting Gloria’s tastes. She looks ethereal as the sun shines through the stained glass. The Italian mafia princess is mine. Never in my life could I have expected her. Until the day I die, I will worship and protect her. And that’s what I promise in our vows.
Epilogue
Cormack
A year later
I hold my son tightly as we travel back to America. He’s three months old and my beautiful wife is sleeping on the plane. Our trip to Ireland had been an intense one since Siobhan and the baby had died eight months earlier. Gloria had been too sick to travel for the funeral or so I told my brother, not trusting him around my pregnant wife, but this time we traveled together, and Gloria played her role well.
We stayed in Dublin for a month, but I need to get my family to where we belong. Being around Peter for any length of time sends me into defensive mode which upsets Gloria.
She wanted to stab him on more than one occasion especially when it came to his lack of love for his wife. Apparently my brother had been busy with his mistress and Siobhan had been driving alone, crashing as the labor pains kicked in. It was a tragic accident although my brother didn’t seem to mourn her death. The family name is in shambles as rumors spread about him bringing his mistress to the funeral. The man is a dog, and I’m tempted to put him down, but I’ll save that for one of his enemies.
Well, or so he believes his wife is dead and child died, but several of us faked her death and we snuck her out of the country, getting medical treatment in the States. So far the ruse worked just as expected and she now resides in Texas. She’s raising the baby, managing cattle, and hoping to live a good, quiet life. As long as Peter never learns of it, they will remain happy.