Luca turned his incredulous look my way, his hold getting uncomfortably tight. “What did they want?” I took a step back, and Luca loosened his hold with an apologetic head shake.
Rubbing my arm, I said, “To let me know the cops are close to arresting you and that I’m being investigated as an accomplice. Apparently, there’s an eyewitness to my little trip to the Ozarks.” I darted past Luca, rushing to our bedroom. “I’ll pack our bags while you get the jet. We’re going to Vegas. We’re getting married now. These fuckers aren’t going to keep you from being my husband.”
“Fuck.” Luca ran a hand over his face, then pried the suitcase handle from my grip. “Baby, we don’t have to go to Vegas.” He turned toward Frankie, who was leaning in the doorway. “Get Father Anthony on the phone.”
Frankie nodded and left us alone.
“Sasha, I’m so sorry.”
“It’s not—”
“It is.” He took my hand and kissed my knuckles. “I’m going to ask you something, and I need you to be honest.”
“Okay?”
“Are you sure you still want to marry me?”
“Yes. Hence, the let’s run away to Vegas frenzy you just witnessed.”
He smiled at the lack of hesitation.
“Even if I spend the next two decades in prison?” His warm brown eyes burned into me, searching for any sign of doubt.
“Yes, Luca. Even if you spend the next two decades in prison. Even if I spend the next two decades in prison.” My stomach turned at the thought of doing hard time.
“I won’t let that happen. They don’t have enough on you to put you away. They’re trying to scare you.”
Frankie came in, his focus on his phone. “Father Anthony will be here in fifteen minutes. Marco’s pulling up now.”
Luca turned to me with a gentle smile. “I hate to do it this way, but if you want to marry me, we need to do it now. There’s no telling when they’ll take me in, and I don’t want to leave you without my protection if that happens.”
My heart thumped against my ribcage, and I was lightheaded. “Protection?”
He cringed. “If we’re married, we get certain legal protections, and you’ll be untouchable as far as the family goes. I know it sounds archaic, but it’s the reality of my world, our world.”
Pulling away from Luca, I stiffly walked to the bed and sat. He followed, kneeling between my knees with his hands on my thighs. “Baby, if you want to walk away, now’s the time.” His lips twisted into a pained smile.
His words were like a slap to the face. “I’m not walking away. It was my idea to elope. I’m just a little shocked because the reality that we’re getting married in twenty minutes is setting in.”
“I know. I’m sorry it’s not going to be the day we’ve planned.” He gave me a sarcastic smile.
Rolling my eyes, I shoved his shoulder. We’d both lamented giving our mothers free rein on the wedding planning. “Move. I’m going to go freshen up.”
Luca helped me up, kissing the top of my head. “I love you.”
I smiled and pushed him out of the room. With limited time to get ready, I prioritized cleaning up my makeup and touching up my hair. The doorbell rang as I slipped into the sparkling blush gown I’d planned to wear to our rehearsal dinner.
Taking a deep breath, I started to walk down the stairs.
“Thank you for coming, Father Anthony.”
“Of course, Luca. Now, where is—” The priest’s mouth fell open when he noticed me.
Luca turned, and when our eyes met, a shiver went down my spine. The connection between us was a live wire, and being with him was worth anything the world would throw at us.
“Sasha,” Luca said roughly. Meeting me at the bottom of the stairs, he took my hand and pulled me to him. In my ear, he murmured, “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you.” I fluttered my eyelashes and smoothed the lapels of his suit coat. “Are you ready to make an honest woman out of me?”