head? Do you know what you want? Now would be a good time to write down the details.”
He turned her toward the door. Her face paled as she looked up at him. He kept them walking right out into the hallway. The matter with his family had to be urgent for everyone to be told to arrive immediately.
“You’re going too fast, Vittorio. You need to slow down. We’re just beginning to know each other. We can’t get married so soon.”
She sounded breathless. Shocked. Scared. He chose to address the scared. “Grace, you have to get used to trusting me. You’re wearing my ring on your finger. You’ve made your promise. We’ve lived together for a couple of months now. A little more. You know you’re in love with me and you know that I love you. I am not going to wait to marry you. There’s no reason not to do it as soon as we can. Haydon Phillips aside, and we’re going to find him and remove him from your life, what reason is there to wait?”
“Haydon is a huge reason, Vittorio. We absolutely can’t have a wedding ceremony until after he’s in custody or dead. Seriously. You have no idea how dangerous or how sick he is.”
“I do know. I made it my business to know. I’ve read every report that’s been prepared on every single death you suspected he was involved with. I’ve studied the reports. I know more about him at this point than he knows about himself. My investigators have put together timelines and traced his travels, using the pictures on your phone. They can place him right at the murder scene of three of the victims at the same time the victims were killed. Somewhere along the line, a year or so ago, he began messing with the camera, making it harder to trace him.”
“He probably figured out that his whereabouts could be traced using the photographs. He’s like that. He doesn’t need a formal education. He was always smart, he just didn’t want anyone, including teachers, telling him what to do.”
He slid his palm down her arm to take her hand. “Let’s go. The sooner we get this over, the sooner we can swim.” He led her outside. “Merry will bring you refreshments. The three women will move your things to the master bedroom. All you have to do is plan your perfect dream wedding.”
Merry had already, at his texted instructions, brought a pitcher of strawberry lemonade, a bucket of ice and a tall glass. Beside it was Grace’s iPad with the planner program on it. She slipped into the chair without arguing further with him.
“I shouldn’t be long.” Vittorio kissed her again, taking his time. He could hurry everything else in his life, but he was never going to make the mistake of hurrying his time with Grace. She was too important, and everything else could take a back seat. His watch vibrated impatiently, telling him his older brother was ready for him, but he ignored the summons.
The third time, he lifted his head. “I love you very much, Grace Murphy.” His thumb slid over the little indentation in her chin. “Marry me soon.”
She nodded slowly, looking a little bemused. “I will, but just know you’re cheating by kissing me. I can’t think straight.”
He was having a little trouble himself. Mostly, his body was making urgent demands, which circumstances forced him to ignore. His watch vibrated again and this time he imagined it trying to shake his entire arm. Giovanni must have arrived. He’d been so into kissing his woman, he’d ignored the car.
“You’re the expert, bella. Plan us a spectacular day. I never thought I’d look forward to my wedding, so give us both our dream day.”
“Men aren’t usually especially thrilled for a wedding that’s considered spectacular by a woman.”
He loved the amusement in her voice so much that he brushed kisses across her eyelids. “This man does.” Anything for his woman. He wanted “spectacular” for her. “Emilio and Enzo are close and while I’m in the meeting, their sister, Enrica, is here if you need anything.”
He preferred being with her himself but had three of the best and most experienced bodyguards the family had to watch over her while he was in his meeting. He strode down the hall and entered the designated conference room. His family was already seated around the table.
“I take it something’s happened,” he greeted.
Stefano indicated the remaining chair. “The Grecos think they’ve found the house