Chapter 14 - THE UNWANTED GUESTThe wedding was held in the private glass conservatory of the DeLuca estate.
Hundreds of white roses adorned the pillars.
Soft classical music played from invisible speakers.
Sophie stood at the altar as the flower girl, wearing a matching white dress with a purple silk sash around her waist.
I stood in front of the mirror in the bridal suite, adjusting the veil of my lace wedding gown.
The door opened softly.
Gabriel stepped inside, looking devastatingly handsome in his black tuxedo.
He stopped, staring at me with quiet awe.
“You take my breath away,” he whispered, walking over and kissing my forehead gently.
“You clean up pretty well yourself, Mr. DeLuca,” I smiled, adjusting his lapel.
“Are you ready?”
“More than ready.”
The ceremony was breathtaking.
When the priest asked if anyone had objections to our union, the glass conservatory doors suddenly flew open with a loud bang.
The music stopped.
All forty guests turned around in shock.
Standing in the doorway was a middle-aged man in a sharp gray suit.
It was one of Viktor Vance’s former attorneys, flanked by two federal marshals.
“Excuse me, Mr. DeLuca,” the attorney said loudly, stepping inside.
“I have a federal subpoena requiring your immediate signature regarding asset forfeiture—”
Gabriel didn't even flinch.
He didn't raise his voice.
He simply looked at the attorney with absolute cold authority.
“Give it to Daniel outside,” Gabriel said calmly.
“This is a private ceremony.”
“Mr. DeLuca, you cannot avoid—”
Before the lawyer could finish, the two federal marshals stepped forward, grabbed the attorney by both arms, and turned him around.
“Sir,” one of the marshals said coldly, “you are interrupting a federal protection witness and a private wedding. Step outside immediately.”
The attorney’s face paled.
“Wait, I was told—”
“Out,” the marshal repeated, dragging him backward through the doors.
The heavy glass doors clicked shut once more.
Absolute silence filled the conservatory.
Gabriel turned back to me, a warm, reassuring smile on his face.
“Now,” he said softly, taking my hands in his.
“Where were we?”
The priest cleared his throat and smiled.
“You may kiss the bride.”
Gabriel pulled me close and kissed me as all our guests erupted into applause and cheering.
May you like
Sophie jumped up and down, signing I love you both with the biggest smile I had ever seen on her face.
[CLIFFHANGER: AS THE RECEPTION ENDS AND THE GUESTS DEPART, GABRIEL AND HANNAH FIND A FINAL NOTE LEFT ON THE PRIVATE PIANO BY SOPHIE.]
