I close my eyes as the line of matching black SUVs makes its way through morning Chicago traffic.
This isn’t the time for me to worry about Valentine.
I don’t have space right now to think about the way her face paled when I told her we were going to a funeral.
There’s no point in asking her if she’s okay.
She’s not.
I inhale, filling my lungs.
This is a family affair, but when I step out of this vehicle, I’m the Boss.
I’m untouchable.
Invincible.
I’m out for blood.
I breathe until I feel the vehicle slow, then I open my eyes.
We’re here.
Val is sitting in the back seat with me, staring up at the cathedral. Trembling.
I place my hand over hers on the seat between us, causing her to tense. “I know you don’t want to be here, but you’re coming in as my wife. Everyone knows who you are, so you won’t need to introduce yourself. They know our marriage was quick, but they believe it was a whirlwind romance.”
She turns her head, finally meeting my gaze. “So did I.”
Her eyes have always been so alive. From the first time I ever saw her, one look at those golden-brown eyes and I could see she was full of life and energy.
But not today.
Today they’re dull.
And if the heart inside my chest hadn’t already been turned into a diamond through decades of pressure, the expression on her face would break it.
