“Kinda late for that, don’t you think?”
“No, it’s never too late to try and do better.” Harley and I had agreed on holding off till we’d spoken our vows. It was hard, to say the least. To make sure we didn’t get any stupid ideas, wealways met in public or some place with people present. So far it had worked well, and I prayed we could keep the streak.
Shotgun nodded. “Respect the heck out of that. I don’t know how you do it.”
“With God’s help.” Time for a topic change. “Have you guys heard back from the brass?”
“No.” Rhyner strode into the living room with a rifle in hand. He set it on the dining table and started disassembling it.
“I don’t get it.” My arms burned from holding them over my head. “You guys saved our lives and caught Fuller. What’s there to decide?”
“Violation of the Posse Comitatus Act. We aren’t allowed to execute the law unless authorized by Congress or the President himself. The reason for our actions doesn’t matter.”
Not exactly fair. “How did you guys even know where we were?”
Rhyner checked his watch, then refocused on his rifle. “We’ve been keeping an eye on Fuller.”
Interesting.
My arms were about to fall off when Wentworth finally told me he was done. I thanked him, then headed to my room and got dressed in black slacks, a white dress shirt, and Santoni leather Oxfords. Harley was still staying with Rome, so that’s where I headed. During the one and a half hour drive I prayed for our future—that our actions would honor the Lord, that He would guide us, and that He would strengthen us in the seasons of hardship. Then I was there.
My chest tightened when I climbed the marble steps to Rome’s mansion. Not that I expected a rejection from Harley. It was just a big moment, and I didn’t want to mess up.
I hadn’t even rung the bell when the door was ripped open, revealing a beaming Giuliana. “Brother Sam—I mean, Kingsley!” She threw herself into my arms and squeezed. Hard.
I stifled a groan. Despite the fire ripping across my back, I held her close. “Come stai, ragazza?”
She laughed. “That was horrible.”
“Giuli!” Rome materialized in the hallway, spouting rapid-fire Italian. He wore gym shorts and a tank top, his tan skin gleaming with sweat.
Giuliana let me go, eyes wide. “I’m so sorry. I totally forgot about your back.”
“No worries.” Underlining my words with a smile, I tugged at one of her braids. “How are you?”
“I’m being treated like a caged animal.” She shot a glare at Rome.
“Because you behave like one.”
“Me? You’re the animal here. Just look at how you eat.”
I followed their banter a while longer, thanking God that Rome took good care of Giuliana. Maybe he wasn’t the best role model for her, not to mention he was hard on her. But he could definitely teach her a thing or two about life.
“I’m guessing you’re here for Harley,” he finally said. “She should be ready in a minute. Want to come inside?”
A moment later, we sat on the leather sofas in the living room.
“You got big plans or something?” Rome nodded at my hands. I’d apparently subconsciously rubbed my sweaty palms on my slacks. The guy was way too perceptive.
I nodded. “Or something.”
“Well, I guess congratulations are in order.” Rome slapped my shoulder with a fat grin.
“Congratulations for what?”
Harley’s voice drew me around. She stood at the top of the curved stairs, the indigo dress she wore hugging her curves and flowing beautifully at the same time. I couldn’t help but watch her every move as she glided down the steps.
Rome punched me in the arm. “You’re drooling, my man.”
