he formalities, the sound of a loud car engine echoed th

heir heads toward the entrance,

ged a quick glance with the offici

he church swung open, and a gr

eir boots stomping against the stone

nds made Mary tremble, her fear eviden

looking between Marco and the m

exchanged brief

nce here in the sanctity of the church. Most especially when no on

aw, knowing they wer

his mind raced, trying to figure out w

, her hands trembling slightly as

rowing as he tried to make out the

of the rugged men lo

, willing his memory

cted a heavier gun from one of the other men, a gesture that signaled his authority. His

d the front, Marco's ja

uldn'

o's voice crack

go in a car accident. Marco had mourned him, believed him

, his face hardening in

fted the gun and fire

d through the church, making Mary sh

g to remain composed, insti

nd of Marco's, but the way Vincent wie

ield seemed like th

earms, the sight of Vincent's r

ped carefully away from the altar, his movement

ured, "whatever game you're playing, it needs

eveled his gaze at Marco. "Child's play?"

Vincent turned and f

the enclosed space as Mary collapsed on

around him moving in slow moti

rcing the still air, her hands

razed her before Vincen

t her heart pound

of her parents' deaths flashed in her mind, the

knees beside Mary, frantically trying to wake her. "Aunt! Aunt, wake up

g as he locked eyes with his cousin. "Does this still look like

de him. He wanted to fight back, to make Vincent pay for wha

inst Marco's abdomen. "Be a good little mama's boy and don't cross

never leaving Vincent's face. He could feel th

ly backed up, returning to the

r Mary, desperately trying to

ving, her breaths

the horror of what had just

cheek, her voice hoarse as she whi

co and Gino had been f

guns raised, watching them

e cuffed behind their back

s free, but the cuffs were too tight. His muscles

Delilah. Panic coursed through him, knowing full we

on. "Is it money? Drugs? Guns? Just tell me!" He hoped the offer wo

is eyes were fixed on Delilah, a smirk pull

gain to pull free from the cuffs. He cou

my gun..." Marco said bitterly. "Ma

e Marco jabbed him in the rib

" the man

burning with fury, but he knew bet

ce but to watch as Vinc

pening as he observed her tear-streaked face, her h

eart sink. Guilt

. "If only I'd brought my gun,

dmired her curves, the fantasies that had consumed him. And now, all those thoughts seemed meaningless in the face o

ression one of fake pity. He clicked

dly, devoid of any emotion. "Bet

h a mix of anger and heartbreak. Her hands clenched into fists,

ed gleam in his eye. "I still plan on you marrying into the Donato family." He leaned cl

r breath hitched in her thro

ruggled to process what he had just heard. "What the hell are you talki

was before I walked in," he said smoothly, a wicked glint in his e

n to the side of Delilah's forehead. His breath caught in his

o with mock amusement. "Now," he said, h