Maura’s mouth fell open. “He what?”
“It’s true,” Declan said from the doorway, making them all jump. “But she said it first.”
Evie shook her head, chuckling as her friends looked from her to Declan and back again. “I promise to tell you all about it sometime. But don’t you both have a wedding to get ready for?”
“Okay,” Cait grumbled, “fine. But I want a full rundown of all the details.”
Maura pulled her phone out of her pocket as they stood to check the time. “God. Eight missed calls from my mother and one very shouty text message telling me I’m late for my hair appointment. Except I can’t be late. I’m the bride!”
“Maura,” Evie said, laying a hand on her friend’s arm before she could leave. “If you want me to skip the wedding, I understand.”
Maura’s brows drew together. “Why would I want you to skip the wedding?”
“With the this.” Evie gestured at her throat. “And the that.” She pointed to the ceiling. “And we don’t know how long it’ll take word to get back to the Italians that Peter is dead and the bounty is useless. I don’t want to ruin your day.”
“The only thing that would ruin it is you not being there. So you better show up, or I’ll sue.”
Maura flashed a quick grin before skirting around Declan and down the hall.
“It’s quiet,” Evie said, noticing the stillness for the first time.
“They’re done. You okay?” He wrapped an arm around her waist when she laid her head against his chest.
“Yeah. All things considered, I’m doing great.”
“Did you ask Maura about the wedding because you don’t feel up to going?”
She pulled back to look up at him. “I forget how well you know me sometimes. No, I want to go. I don’t want Peter to take something else important from me. But I would feel better if we had some extra security or something.”
“Love, it’s a syndicate wedding. Every man in the room and half the women will be strapped,” he said, making her laugh.
ChapterThirty-Six
The sidewalk and front steps of the church were teeming with people when they drove up, and the nerves that had dissipated with a hot shower and the light lunch Marta insisted she eat suddenly returned.
“Maybe we should have driven separately.”
Declan silenced his phone and slid it into the breast pocket of his tux. “Why?”
“Because…” she gestured out the window at the curious faces that were already looking toward the limo to see who might be inside. “You’re royalty, and I’m—”
“Royalty’s date?”
Evie snorted and rolled her eyes at his cocky grin.
“It’s not like they haven’t seen us together before.”
“That was a lifetime ago.”
“You’re not scared, are you?”
Evie jerked around to pin him with a hard stare. “Your psychological mind tricks won’t work on me.”
He lifted a single brow, saying nothing.
“Of course I’m not scared!”
He flashed a quick grin and reached for the door. “Then there’s no time like the present.”
