“That’s the same thing your sister said to me this morning.”
“It’s a Maccari motto.”
Melina laughed. “Yeah, right.” She smiled and then her expression turned somber.
“What is it? That beautiful smile should never leave your face today.”
She hadn’t wanted to say anything, but the more she considered it, the more she knew that it was important not to start their marriage with secrets between them.
“Did you know your father was at the church?”
Mac’s gaze hardened. “Yeah, I did.”
“Oh.”
“It wasn’t my choice, Melina. By the time I realized he was there, it was too late to do anything about it.”
“And besides that, it wouldn’t have looked good to make a scene,” Melina surmised.
“That, too.”
Melina reached for Mac’s hand. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Am I happy that he had the nerve to show up on a day that had absolutely nothing to do with him? Hardly. But James is nothing. He matters to no one.”
“He looked at me when I was walking down the aisle and there was something in the way he looked at me. It was like …”
“Like what, doll?”
“The way a predator watches their prey.”
A muscle in Mac’s jaw moved and his eyes grew cold. Melina started to move her hand away from his, but he didn’t allow her to.
“I don’t know what game he’s playing at, but I don’t want you to worry. I’m going to take care of it.”
“Mac, I’m not trying to cause any more issues between you and your father. I just want us to start our marriage off right. I don’t want to keep things from you, even if it might not be important.”
Mac held her face in one hand and kissed her softly. Melina responded with eagerness, never tiring of the way he showed his adoration for her.
“Mac,” she whispered against his lips, “people are watching us.”
“Let them.”
Mac kissed her again, one hand slipping around her waist to bring her closer to him. Melina’s body heated beneath her wedding gown. What she wouldn’t give to bid everyone adieu and head off to be alone with her handsome husband.
“Have you two forgotten the rest of us might like to enjoy your company?”
Melina and Mac broke apart to find their hostess, Neeya Pivetti, standing next to them.
“Sorry, Mrs. Pivetti. We meant no disrespect,” Mac said.
Neeya laughed. “Of course you didn’t. No one here can blame you two for being all over each other. I don’t remember the last time I’ve seen such an attractive couple.”
“Thank you, Neeya. That means a lot.”
“You can thank me, my dear, by coming with me. I have something for you.”
“Haven’t you already given us enough? You’ve let us use your gorgeous home for our reception,” Melina said.
Neeya waved a hand. “Nonsense. I won’t hear of it. Now come.”
Melina smiled and turned to her husband. “I’ll be right back.” She kissed him quickly.
“I’ll be waiting.”
Mac helped her to her feet and Neeya took Melina’s arm leading her from the massive ballroom where the reception was still in full swing.
“I promise he’ll be there when you get back. No business today,” Neeya said.
“Are you sure?”
“I made Luca give his word. Nothing is going to ruin your day.”
“I appreciate that more than you know. My nerves are already at an all-time high.”
Neeya led them deeper into the house, before stopping in front of two paneled doors and opening them. She motioned for Melina to follow her inside.
“And why is that?”
“I never expected this. Any of this. And now I’m someone’s wife and not just any someone, a very important someone. Any mistake I make will reflect not only on me, but him as well. I just don’t want to mess up.”
Walking over to a large painting, Neeya carefully removed it, revealing a small black vault. Melina turned away to give the woman her privacy.
“You’re worrying for nothing. You went to jail for that man. You kept your mouth shut and that has proven the depth of your loyalty to any who might have doubted it.”
“But what now? How do I balance that fine line between supporting him and not butting into things that aren’t my business?”
Neeya came over to her, a red velvet box in her hand.
“Very carefully.” Neeya placed the box in her hand. “Open it.”
Melina did as she was instructed and found inside a small silver band. In the center was a purple princess-cut diamond.
“This is beautiful.”
“Glad you like it. I wanted to give you something special. Everyone has white diamonds but a purple diamond, now those are rare.”
“Thank you. Thank you so much.”
Melina hugged Neeya, a wave of emotion coming over her. For so long she’d been alone and now her life was suddenly filled with people that cared about her.
That cared about her happiness.
It was almost too much.
“You’re very welcome, dear. Now let’s get back. We have so much more celebrating to do.”
Melina moaned as Mac fed her a piece of their wedding cake.