Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 53428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 267(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 267(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
“I just decided I wasn’t going to kill him.” Santino got closer to me to check it out. “Let’s hope he doesn’t change my thoughts.”
I pulled out a thick gold card with black letters. “At least he always has style and finesse.”
Santino frowned. “We’ll see. Nothing can bother you today.”
I looked at him. “You mean besides my fiancé going missing and playing in the dirt with ghosts?”
“Besides that.” He smirked. “Read the note aloud.”
Dear Kash,
I wish I had not left you at the shop yesterday. It hurts to think about. It sickens my soul.
As soon as we heard, my mother flew seven hours with Rose to Paris to purchase as many designer red gowns as possible.
As you probably know by now, I remained to kill with your future husband, Santino, who I now approve of. He is a good shooter.
Rose and Mom only arrived less than an hour before this delivery.
I hope you choose one of these gowns.
I DO NOT want you to choose anything from THAT shop, but Rose told me that it is your choice, and I am not to bully you about it.
However, I hate the shop now. I bought the property this morning. At midnight, I will burn it down.
Romeo is gone. That means that I am your only living brother now.
Sincerely,
Dima
Tears left my eyes, and I hadn’t even known that I was crying.
Rue headed for them. “Okay, fellas. I’ll show you where to put all the gowns.”
Dane walked off. “I’ll grab Tomasso. He wanted me to let him know as soon as Kash was done searching for Santino. He has all types of shit planned.”
Merik nodded. “Eh, Tomasso is in the kitchen with Mom. They’re both working with the caterers to make sure the menu is perfect.”
Still, my body rocked with this odd sorrow. I rushed with wiping my tears.
Santino pulled me into his arms. “I love you.”
I tensed. “What?”
“I love you.” He leaned away and looked into my eyes. “Do you know that we have not said those words yet?”
“Things have happened so fast.”
“Yet. . .” He licked his lips. “I really love you. . .so fucking much.”
I shivered. “I love you too.”
“Good. Pick a dress. I am ready to officially call you Mrs. DeLuca.” He started to head off.
“Wait a minute.” I sniffled and gazed at Santino. “What does Dima mean that he helped you kill?”
“Oh.” He tucked that damn dirty wooden dagger into his pocket. “We ended the Coffin Cheaters.”
I widened my eyes. “All of them?”
“We let women and children go, but that was it.” A wicked smirk spread across his face. “And the valley is nothing but ashes.”
“Oh shit.”
He leaned his head to the side. “Do you know why?”
“Why?”
“Because I love you, Kash.” He turned around and walked off.
Oh. Shit.
I stood there, completely stunned. When I woke up, I thought handling the Coffin Cheaters would still be on my to-do list.
More men in yellow marched up the grand steps of my estate with several more garment bags.
A convoy of white vans drove onto my property. There must have been thirty vehicles. Men jumped out, rushed to the back, opened the doors, and unloaded chairs and tables.
“Kashmere!” Tomasso yelled from the top of the steps. “What are you doing?! We must get you ready!”
“Oh. . .yeah.” I gripped Dima’s gold card and rushed up the steps. “I’m coming.”
“And Santino saw you this morning.” Tomasso held his hands at his face. “That is bad luck.”
“Well blame him. He went missing—”
“No more mishaps can happen this week or I will have a heart attack.” He gently took my hand and guided me away. “I have planned many things, my friend—funerals, baptisms, Made Men oath ceremonies, but this may be the one event that kills me.”
I shouldn’t have, but I laughed.
We rushed up the stairs.
Rue had all the exquisite red gowns hung up all around my suite. Each one was captivating. Mrs. Tina arrived with my maids—Gloria and Lola. It must have taken me an hour to pick the perfect gown. Thank God I had them helping me.
“You picked the right one, Kash. This is a masterpiece.” Rue gazed at it. “Dima, spent a fortune on all of these.”
I blinked. “You think so?”
Mrs. Tina pointed to the front. “Those aren’t fake beads, sweetie. Those are real diamonds.”
“Wow.” I studied the gown.
All red, it was made of the finest silk and studded with what had to be over 150 carats of diamonds. The fabric was embroidered with more than one hundred delicate Chantilly lace flowers on the silk and seven petticoats had to be worn under it. Plus, it had a 10-foot train.
Mrs. Tina pulled out a tissue and sniffed. “Chanel would have loved to see you in this gown.”
“She’s around. Romeo too.” I hugged her. “I feel them around all the time.”
Tears left her eyes. “You too?”