Dante paced the length of the classroom, pausing every few steps to adjust his tie. He stopped at the small sink in the corner and looked into the mirror, adjusting once again. He glanced at the bouquet of flowers sitting in a jar that he would present to Agnese before the ceremony. She knew so much more about plants than he did; would she like them?
“You look fine,” Mother Maria Annunciata said, entering the room with his father. They shut the door behind them. “Almost as pretty as the bride.”
“Impossible,” Dante muttered. “No one can hold a candle to my Agnese.” He looked at his parents and it dawned on him that throughout his life, despite their unconventional relationship to each other, they had always been there for him. He felt the need to confide in them now. “I can’t believe she’s going to be mine,” he said, a hitch in his voice. “Will I ever be worthy of her?”
His father smiled, a wry expression on his face. “No, but because of who you are, you will always try, and she will be more than happy with that.”
Dante nodded, comforted by his father’s words. “How is it looking out there? Did we outsmart the paparazzi?”
It had been a week since the deaths of Santo and Fausta, and they, along with Ornella, had been quietly laid to rest. With the enthusiasm of hungry tigers being thrown fresh meat, the press had had a field day with the “Sordid Love Triangle Behind the Walls of La Tana.” Meanwhile the task force, with Dante’s full cooperation, had discreetly gone about unraveling the consortium’s Italian operation. Unfortunately, certain strands of the organization still remained out of reach, but at least Azure would no longer operate within Stella d’Italia hotels, or Italy, for that matter, for some time to come.
During the same time, Dante and Agnese had planned their special day.
Aldo nodded. “We’ve done a good job distracting both the press and the public. Who would have thought a family like ours would stage a wedding inside of a convent school?”
Dante noticed his mother gesturing to his father, as if to encourage him. “Tell him,” she urged quietly.
Aldo straightened his shoulders “I have some news,” he said.
“What is it?” Dante looked from one parent to the other with concern. He wasn’t sure he could take any more “news.”
“I have a new job,” his father said. “I’m joining the Congregation of Christian Brothers.”
“Father, that’s wonderful!”
“I agree. Because of my many years of service to the church, they have made me a special adjunct to the Congregational Leadership team based in Rome. I’ll be working on programs to encourage older parish members like myself to enter the brotherhood. We may no longer be young, but we still have a lot to contribute to the world.” Aldo glanced at Mother Maria, his beloved Luisa. “I…I hope this will help me atone for the wrongs I have done.” Mother Maria put her hand tenderly on his arm.
Dante, more buoyant, wrapped his arms around his father’s compact frame. “You helped me clean the wound,” he whispered. “For that I will always be grateful.”
Mother Maria gestured again to Aldo. “The gift?” she reminded him.
“Oh yes, I almost forgot.” Dante’s father pulled an envelope out of his pocket and handed it to his son. “I should have given this to you years ago. You certainly earned it and I have no need of it. But now it’s even better.”
Dante opened it. Inside was a letter transferring thirty-four percent of Stella d’Italia to him. What? “Father, this is twice your share. I don’t understand.”
Aldo shrugged. “Yet another sign that God has a sense of humor. Your Uncle Santo made me his beneficiary years ago. He no doubt felt I would always do his bidding, even from beyond the grave. He must be turning in that grave this very moment.”
Dante grinned. “He wouldn’t be too happy, would he?” He hugged his father again. “Thank you for this vote of confidence. I promise I will make you proud.”
“I have always been proud,” his father said, gesturing to Mother Maria to join in the family bond. “God has blessed me far more than I deserve.”
At that moment Dani knocked on the door and entered. “Anybody in here want to get married?” she asked. “I have one very beautiful bride waiting nervously to walk down the aisle with her soon to be father-in-law.”
“That would be me,” Aldo said with a smile. “I am ready.”
“So am I,” Dante said. “More than ready.” He took the bouquet out of the jar, carefully dried the stems, and followed his family out the door.
Gabe hadn’t gone to many weddings in his life, and whenever got worked up over those he had attended, because he always thought of how terrible his own parents’ marriage had been. But this one was different. Maybe it was the simplicity of it all. No dog and pony show. No bridal party, no giant reception. Just two people unafraid to profess their love for each other in front of their closest family and friends, who were sitting on folding chairs in a convent garden. It was…nice. He felt a twinge and adjusted the sling on his bandaged shoulder.
“Are you feeling all right?” Dani whispered. “Do you need another pain pill?”
Gabe smiled and shook his head. Ever since he’d gotten shot, Dani had hovered over him like an attentive spouse. He liked the feeling. A lot. Did he have the same courage as Dante and Agnese? Did Dani? They hadn’t talked about the future, and they needed to. Soon.
After the brief ceremony, the guests headed over to the gymnasium, where Dani and Gina had put together a delicious country-style meal of roast chicken, pasta, salad, bread, and wedding cake. Not a fish egg to be seen anywhere, thank God. Gabe was admiring Dani’s efficient serving technique when Marco came up to him.
“My kind of wedding,” Marco said. “Short and sweet. You got the scissors?”
Gabe patted his breast pocket with his unencumbered hand. “Right here, although I hate to cut up Dante’s tie—it’s pretty nice.”
“I’m sure he won’t mind,” Marco said. “But keep it in mind when it’s your turn—not that you have a favorite tie,” he added.
Gabe looked at him. “My turn?”
Marco rolled his eyes. “Only a matter of time, buddy.” He gestured to Dani. “You let that one go and you’re more of an idiot than I thought.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” Gabe said. “So, how’s the investigation proceeding? You going to arrest me for using an unauthorized firearm?”
“All I can say is, you are one lucky SOB. Not only did I get that little wrinkle smoothed out, I even got you nominated for a commendation for exemplary service above and beyond the call of duty. They might even make you an honorary member of the task force.”
“I’d like to see that.” Gabe chuckled. “Maybe it’ll help me get workman’s comp for this.” He raised his bandaged arm.
Marco turned serious. “I’m glad you’re walking away with just a scar,” he said gruffly. “And I thank you for helping us get rid of a major piece of ugliness here in Verona.”
“I did it for Dani,” Gabe said. “I would do anything for her.”
Marco looked across the room. Gabe could tell he was watching Gina. “Like I said, it’s only a matter of time. Excuse me. I’m going to go claim my own bride.”
The time came for the traditional removal of the garter, and Dante seemed almost shy about reaching up Agnese’s simple wedding dress to remove it. Gabe and Marco’s catcalls probably didn’t help the situation. Then it was time for Gabe to take Dante’s tie and cut it up to distribute to the males in the party. In exchange they would give the groom a present, usually money, although in this case, Dante had no need of it.
“I really like that tie,” Dante said wistfully as Gabe began to snip away.
“I think you can afford to buy another one,” Dani replied. She was standing next to Gabe on his injured side, holding Dante’s tie out so Gabe could cut it. He knew she was being protective, but he would have rather been able to put his good arm around her.
Afterward she pulled an envelope out of her purse and handed it to her cousin. “Here’s my present,” she said. “I finally signed the papers related to my inheritance, so this letter gives you permission to vote my shares in Stella d’Italia.”
Dante looked shell shocked. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Say thank you,” Dani said playfully. “And by the way, I’d like my portion of the company income to go toward a foundation I’m setting up to protect young girls from predators like our dear Uncle Santo, may he not rest in peace. I’m going to talk to Agnese about working with me on the project.”
Gabe took a deep breath. He hadn’t discussed this with Dani, but somehow he knew she would approve. “And I’d like to seed that foundation with the money I’d saved to repay Santo for caring for my mother. Given what Fausta and Agnese went through on her behalf, it’s the least I can do.” He was rewarded with a radiant smile from Dani. Yes, it was the right thing to do.
“Thank you both,” Dante said. “But you ought to know something. Santo willed his shares to my father, who has now given all his stock to me. That means I now have controlling interest in Stella d’Italia. Are you comfortable with that?”
“Absolutely.” Dani pointed to their grandmother chatting with Gina across the room. “But I wouldn’t overlook the asset you have in Nonna Stella. She is sharp as ever, and knows the business as well as you or me.”
“I’m going to need a new team,” he agreed. “I thought I’d track down Carla Rinaldi as well. Now that the danger has passed, I think she’d be a wonderful addition to our company. We have a lot of work to do.”
Dani put her hand on her cousin’s arm. “Just do me one favor,” she said, glancing at Gabe. “Don’t take the love you and Agnese have for each other for granted. Nothing is worth giving up love and family over, not even the best hotel company in the world.”
At that moment Agnese walked over, a big smile on her face. She put her arm around Dante and leaned her head on his shoulder. “I missed you,” she said. Dante leaned down to kiss her and they seemed to forget they weren’t alone. Gabe and Dani exchanged looks.
“Speaking of honeymoons,” Gabe said, clearing his throat loudly. “Where are you two headed?” The newlyweds reluctantly broke their embrace.
“Just to Venice for a few days,” Agnese said. “Dante must stay close to steer the ship through these choppy waters.”
“Well, just remember what I said, cousin,” Dani admonished.
“At the very least you have to plan a trip to California to see Dani and me.” As he said the words, he caught Dani’s gaze and held it. Understand me, he wanted to tell her. This is what I want. How about you?