Brutal Vows (Queens & Monsters #4)(44)

Most chilling of all is that the forensic technicians working on the bodies at the morgue came up with nothing identifiable about any of the men.

The pads of all their fingers had been burned off with acid. Dental records showed no matches. Their faces weren’t in any law enforcement database.

They were ghosts.

I tried not to admit to myself that I would’ve felt better if Quinn had stayed at the house the rest of the week, but my subconscious knew better. The house felt emptier without his expansive presence in it. The Mob sent armed reinforcements to take his place and provide supplemental protection to Gianni and Leo’s men, but it didn’t make me rest easier.

A hundred Irishmen couldn’t give me the same peace of mind.

He might be grouchy, bossy, and altogether aggravating, but Quinn’s the one to have around when things get bad.

I hate that I think that. But for Lili’s sake, I’m glad. If someone tries to kidnap her again, they’ll have to deal with his crazy-but-fiercely-protective ass.

And I know they’ll regret it.

In the car on the way to the rehearsal at the church the night before the wedding, Gianni sweats like a pig.

“Why are you so nervous?” says Mamma, frowning at him. “Your daughter’s the one getting married.”

Sitting next to me in the back seat of the limo, Lili rests her head on the back of the seat and closes her eyes. I squeeze her clammy hand, but she doesn’t squeeze back.

Mopping his forehead with a silk pocket square, Gianni says, “But I’m the one who’ll be up shit’s creek if anything goes wrong.”

“What could go wrong?”

I say, “Don’t tempt fate by making a list, Gianni.”

Mamma cackles. “As if fate has anything to do with anything. It’s all God. He’s the one with the mean streak.”

To Lili as much as Gianni, I say soothingly, “Nothing will go wrong. Boston belongs to the Mob, and everyone knows you don’t cross Declan O’Donnell.”

Mamma says, “She’s not marrying Declan O’Donnell.”

I send her a pointed look. “She’s marrying his right-hand man, which is almost as good.”

“Almost isn’t the same thing.”

“Mamma, stop! You’re scaring her!”

She looks at Lili, sitting passively beside me with her eyes closed and face pale. “That child isn’t scared. She’s in mourning.”

Gianni frowns. “Mourning over what?”

“Don’t listen to her,” I interrupt, giving her a hard stare. “She’s already had half a bottle of wine.”

She smiles back at me. “The night’s still young.”

I might have to lock her in a coat closet.

When we arrive at the lovely old brick church, Quinn is already there. Dressed in his usual black Armani suit, with his hair combed and his eyes burning, he’s breathtaking.

Lili takes one look at him smoldering inside the vestibule doors and lets out a whimper.

“Mr. Quinn,” says Gianni, rushing over with his hand and his panic outstretched in front of him. “So good to see you again. Are we late?”

“No. I’ve been here for hours.” He shakes hands with Gianni, nods at Lili and Mamma, then looks over at me.

The sheer force of his gaze knocks me back onto my heels.

“Reyna,” he says gruffly.

“Quinn.”

His gaze scorches me up and down. He licks his lips, straightens his tie, and shifts his weight from foot to foot. Then he looks away, jaw muscles flexing.

“Everyone’s already inside.”

I can tell Gianni’s horrified that we’re the last to arrive, but he tries not to show it.

“Wonderful! Shall we go in?”

Quinn gestures toward the doors. Gianni takes Lili’s hand and drags her through them. Mamma follows, chuckling to herself and shaking her head. I’m following her, wondering if she’s starting to lose her marbles, when Quinn reaches out and grabs my arm.

Startled, I look at him.

His voice low, he says, “I’ve been thinking.”

“Really? Did you borrow someone else’s brain?”

“Very funny, viper.”

We gaze at each other for a moment as his fingers tighten ever so slightly around my upper arm. When I inhale, I smell him. Skin, heat, and masculine musk. Just his essence, undiluted by cologne.

My mouth starts to water. I think that faint moaning I hear is my ovaries.

He says, “It wasn’t fair, what I said about you not seeing Lili after the wedding. She’s welcome to go see you in New York anytime she wants.”

I’m so surprised, I almost laugh. “Are you sure? I thought you couldn’t stand the sight of me.”

His reply is stiff. “That’s why I said she could go see you, not that you could come see her.”

Why is he holding my arm? Why is my heart pounding? Why are we standing so close?

I say, “It’s good you came around, because I wasn’t going to obey that ridiculous order anyway.”

His lashes lower. He drawls, “What a shock.”

“I didn’t think you’d be surprised. May I please have my arm back now?”

His gaze takes a leisurely trip over me again, skimming every curve. “Why do you always wear black?”