Where the Snow Falls (Seasons of Betrayal #2)(60)

Kaz would do everything in his power to make it a good day for her, even if it wasn’t going to be everything of her dreams. It just wasn’t possible with their time crunch.

It was one reason why he was concerned by the current expression on her face.

Since the day she had gone out shopping with his sisters, she’d had this look, one he hadn’t been able to read. Not quite sure what to make of it, he had elected to give her some time, knowing just how much everything was changing.

He understood it was a lot to undertake in such a short period of time, so he didn’t want to add more stress.

But it had gone on too long now.

“What’s on your mind?” he asked looking over in her direction.

Violet was scanning through a book of wedding things that Vera had given her. He thought they were on linens for the tables.

“I’m wondering how your sister keeps track of all this,” she said, gesturing to her lap. “Even I don’t remember half the things I’ve already agreed to.”

“She probably has it filed away somewhere.” Vera liked things in a particular order. “But this isn’t what I mean.”

Carefully sliding the book off her legs, he closed it and put it off to the side. “Why do you have that look on your face?”

Tucking loose strands of hair behind her ear, she asked, “What look?”

“Like you’ve seen a ghost,” Kaz answered, his gaze darting over her face. “Let me guess … Carmine or Alberto?”

“Alberto.” She was quick to go on when she saw his frown. “He didn’t say anything, not much anyway.”

“But whatever he did say is worrying you, no?”

“What if he does come for me, even if we’re married? Have you considered that?”

He had, more than once. Though his concentration had focused mostly on Vasily, Kaz didn’t doubt that he had yet to feel the full weight of Alberto Gallucci’s anger. He and Kaz’s father wouldn’t just go calmly into the night.

“I have, but you have to understand that it won’t be nearly as easy as he may think it. It would be foolish for him to risk a war, not just with us, but with the Chicago family as well. Things were different when no one stood at my back.”

“I worry about that,” she said softly. “The day my father tries to take me from you. Because he won’t care that I have your last name.”

“There’s no reason to worry yourself with that. I have it under control.”

Straddling his lap, she looked down at him with a slight smile. “I know.”

“Then enjoy this time,” Kaz said softly. “You’re only getting married once.”

And he was going to make sure it was memorable.





Constant movement surrounded a stone-still Violet.

The shuffle of chiffon.

The sweep of silk.

Jewelry was handed over, necklaces clasped, and earrings placed properly. The hairdresser who was taking care of the girls moved from one woman to the other, fine-tooth comb in hand to smooth back any stray strands. The woman—a friend of Vera’s, apparently—who had come in to handle the makeup worked on fixing the smudge of lipstick on the left side of Dina’s mouth.

Still, Violet stood frozen.

It almost seemed surreal.

Girls spent a good majority of their life considering their wedding day—what it would mean and how it would happen. She had been one of those girls.

Yet here it was.

And there she was.

Not dressed, though her hair and makeup were done, watching the excited twins dress and Vera fuss.

Violet thought it might be a little sad, considering she was without any of her family or their acceptance, but it wasn’t that at all.

She was ready.

And that was the most surprising thing of it all.

“Ready?”

Violet blinked, snapping out of her daze. Vera stood in front of her, a garment bag slung over her arm. She had been ready for this for a while, but she didn’t think that was what Vera was asking.

“You’ve only got another fifteen minutes, and we have to leave,” Vera said. “Let’s get your dress on.”

“Sure,” Violet said.

She followed Vera into a private room just off from the main sitting area of the hotel suite. With the door safely closed behind them, Vera laid the garment bag out and unzipped it to expose rushes of vintage styled lace in a soft cream color.

For a second, Violet simply stared at the dress as Vera pulled it out with careful hands.

She’d shopped for it alone, even though Vera had offered and the twins had practically begged to help her pick one out. It wasn’t that she didn’t want them there, or that she didn’t appreciate their willingness to be involved in the wedding and the details, but it was just …

Something Violet wanted to do alone.

Picking out the dress had been surprisingly easy once she found it. A backless, form-fitted lace number that showcased skin and curves with every turn. Dangling ropes of pearls that hung down from the small straps around the shoulders and framed the wide-open back only added to the charm of the gown.

It was not Catholic ceremony approved.

It would be too daring—a little too free and sinful.

But Violet thought it was perfect.