39. Chapter 39 - Madison
Dinner plates are removed from the tables as more and more people head for the bar. Liam slides his chair back, tossing his napkin down. He stands abruptly, extending a hand towards me. Not this again. I can’t take any more dancing.
“The photo booth is open. Let’s take a picture. Maybe I can get Lindsay to send it to Diego.”
“That’s cruel, Liam,” I reprimand, even though I smack my palm into his.
His fingers curl around mine, guiding us to the table in front of the booth. All different props and signs are spread out. Liam grabs a sign that says ‘I’m here for the drinks’. I decide on #MatronofHonor. Simple but classic. All the other ones are for couples…
The guy working the camera gives us a quick overview. We step into the booth—which is more of an open space with lights and a giant tablet that captures the pictures. Liam presses the button and the front-facing camera begins counting down from ten. Liam throws his arm over my shoulder and holds up his sign. I smile and hold up mine. As we get to five Liam jumps out of the frame .
In complete confusion, I turn to look at him, wondering what the hell he’s up to.
A hard body replaces Liam’s from behind me. A body I know oh so well. I spin around in shock. Ocean eyes full of triumph greet mine as the timer chimes. His smile broadens as my eyes widen in disbelief.
“Told you I’d be back, Mariposita ,” he purrs, the words dripping off his lips like honey.
And then his lips are on mine.
Devouring me. Consuming me. Thrilling me.
Clicks go off around us as the pictures are snapped. Diego raises his hand, seemingly holding a sign. I can’t bother to tear my lips from his to see what it says.
It has to be at least a minute later that Liam’s chuckles interrupt us. We break away, still clinging to each other as he approaches us. His tattooed hand extends to offer us the picture. The Bone Breaker and I lean forward to look at the sequence of my reactions in each frame.
Props to Liam for planning this. That’s who he was talking to earlier.
“I must say improvising this worked out perfectly. I originally had him meeting us on the dance floor. This one definitely takes the cake,” Liam muses.
My eyes linger on the last frame. Diego is proudly holding a sign that says ‘MINE’. The feral part of me stirs at those words. His . In this lifetime and those that follow. This man truly is all mine. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out my wedding ring. Gentle fingers grip my left hand as he slides it onto my finger.
“Back where it belongs,” Diego states proudly.
“You are back where you belong,” I croak through the tears, pulling him back to me.
I lay my head on his chest as his arms come out to rock me back and forth. Liam looks down at us. The proud smile he is sporting says everything about who he really is. He put his pride and hurt aside to get Diego back for me.
“Thank you,” I tell him.
“Anything for you, princess.”
Lifting my head, I look up at my husband, my eyes searching his. “Are you back for good?” Hope fills my voice. Is this nightmare really over?
“He is,” Lindsay answers for him, looping an arm through Liam’s. “Unfortunately, the evidence we had against him has been destroyed. We believe an extremely experienced hacker wiped our servers clean. Lucky for Diego, that meant we had no physical evidence to charge him with. Beyond that, the witnesses who have come forward to make a statement have all proven Geraldo De La Cruz was to blame for what Diego was being charged with. Between us, the faking of his death is considered fraud. I was able to pull a few strings and we were able to work out a deal—assuming he did it to protect his loved ones from any possible retaliation. With that being said, we still have him on a watch list, but there isn’t enough reason to keep him,” she explains to me before looking at my husband all amused. “Stay out of trouble, Mr. De La Cruz.”
Liam winks at us before he guides her to the bar, giving us a minute to process this.
Holy. Shit.
Diego’s hand comes up to cup my face and I lean into it. “You look ravishing…and downright fuckable,” he groans, lowering his forehead to mine.
“I have a feeling we won’t be sleeping at all tonight,” I giggle.
“I have a feeling you won’t be getting any sleep for a few days,” he smirks, slapping my ass.
His lips find mine once more before the band requests that everyone join the couple in a slow dance. Diego breaks away to lead me to the dance floor. He places my hand on his shoulder and tugs me forward by the hip. I place my hand in his as the familiar melody of our wedding song fills the speakers. The lead singer sounds identical to Michael Bublé. I stare at my husband longingly, knowing he requested this song play for us.
Mikayla and Kieran surprisingly join us. Mik doesn’t say anything, just winks her approval. Kieran looks nervous as he awaits my reaction. When he notices Diego, a look of elation fills him. Where once The Bone Breaker was a person who created tension amongst the Tri-State Syndicate, he now is looked at with mutual respect.
My roommate Leah bumps into me from behind, giggling as Colin haphazardly spins her around in a circle. He too, smiles widely at Diego and me. “Welcome back, mate,” he says enthusiastically.
“So this is your man. I’ve heard all about you,” she gushes, extending a hand. “I’m Leah.”
Diego reaches out and shakes it firmly.
“I don’t care that your nickname is ‘ The Bone Breaker,” she air quotes with her fingers. “Hurt my friend again, and I will end you,” Leah menaces before resuming her dance with Colin like she didn’t just threaten the underworld’s most dangerous mobster.
An unladylike snort leaves me, prompting Diego to break out laughing. We quickly gain attention, a few heads turn our way. Two of them being my father and his girlfriend. He dances his way over to us, all suave.
Diego manages to get his laughter under control. “I like her.” His smile grows wide as my father approaches.
“I didn’t expect to see you here, son.” My father lands a hand on Diego’s shoulder.
Diego reaches out a hand. Dad takes it, firmly greeting my husband as Diane kisses me hello.
“Everything sorted out?” Dad questions. He hasn’t released Diego’s hand .
“Yes, Sir. I’m free of all charges,” my husband affirms confidently.
Dad pats Diego’s shoulder and releases his hand, curling it around his girlfriend. “Good. I’m glad. You two are glowing. Madison went from timid and anxious tonight to radiating excitement and happiness. I’m sure your arrival had a lot to do with that.”
My face hurts from smiling so widely. Not to mention all the pictures we took today. It really does a number on your facial muscles. Perhaps that is why celebs have such snatched jawlines.
Liam and Lindsay approach and Dad nods at us before slipping back into the throng of people dancing. Diego releases me for a second to embrace Liam. They pat each other's backs and Liam grips the back of Diego’s head, shaking it.
“Thank you,” Diego expresses.
“You guys deserve a happy ending. Whatever I could do to help,” he states simply, aware of Lindsay next to him.
Lexi squeals as they approach us. She leaps forward and pulls Diego into a hug. “Holy crap. He’s back. Oh, Madison. Today truly is the perfect day!” she sobs.
I rub her back as she continues to cling to my husband. When she finally releases him she hugs me, swaying me back and forth. The song eases to an end and the band announces the Viennese hour is now open.
Lexi and Con head off to join their guests at the chocolate fountain.
Lindsay smiles up at Liam, who wraps an arm around her waist as they follow the crowd. She seems to be more involved with Liam than I had thought. The way she looks at him is way more than lust. Definitely more than a crush.
Diego breaks my reverie by tucking a strand of violet hair behind my ears. His fingers trace the butterfly tattoo I have there .
“Care for an espresso, Mariposita ? You’re gonna need it with what I have planned for you…” Mint and coconut swirl around me as he leans over and lowers his lips to where his fingers once traced.
Goosebumps spring up on my skin as a low moan leaves my lips.
I will always have this reaction to this man.
“With you, I don’t need espresso. Your presence alone awakens every nerve ending and synapse inside of me,” I admit breathlessly.
“Well in that case…” He scoops me up and carries me the opposite way of the crowd, snatching a slice of wedding cake off a nearby table.
The Bone Breaker carries me all the way down the beach and up the dock. He boards his yacht and takes the elevator up to the top floor. When the doors open, he strides over to my reading room with minimal effort. Using his elbow, he nudges the door open and gently lays me down on the fur rug beneath the dome.
“Dessert for you,” he says, handing me the plate while scooping up a piece of decadent chocolate cake. The metal of the fork hits my teeth as he feeds it to me. His lips press against mine, stealing a kiss as his tongue licks the chocolate mousse off them. Firm hands start to bunch the satin fabric of my dress, impatiently pushing it up over my thighs. He hooks a finger into my panties and slides the matching lace to the side.
“And dessert for me,” he murmurs between my thighs.
I lie back and stare at the stars as pleasure washes over me.
For once, they don’t make me question everything.
I am exactly where I should be.