Chapter 35
Chapter
Thirty-Five
Isabella
M y investigation of Em’s bathroom discovered more things lacking than present. Some crucial items were MIA:
Blow dryer.
Curling iron.
Makeup of any kind.
Luckily, I had mascara and lip balm in my purse.
I couldn’t make myself wear someone else’s panties. I also didn’t want to wear the ones from yesterday, the ones lost somewhere to the floor. Pushing my own boundaries a little more, I chose to go commando. After I slipped on the bright green sundress and plaited my hair into a braid that fell forward on my shoulder, I tried on the sandals. While I could squeeze my feet into them, they weren’t comfortable. Instead, I found my flats.
As I was about to leave the bedroom, I looked at the bed.
A few minutes later, I made my way down the back stairs to what I hoped was the kitchen, with the balled-up set of sheets in my arms.
“Isabella,” a woman I didn’t recognize said as I reached the first floor. “ Qué estás buscando ?”
I lowered the wad of black sheets and peered at her over the top. “Hi, you must be Lola.”
Her brow furrowed. “ Sí , let me take those.”
Pivoting, I blocked her reach. “Um, it’s okay. I was wondering where the laundry room was located. I can put them in the washer.”
“No. No.” She pulled them from my arms. “You don’t do your own laundry here.”
Warmth tingled my cheeks. “It’s that…you shouldn’t have to…they’re...”
Her stern expression melted into an understanding smile. “I’ve washed many sheets after a wedding night. Don’t be embarrassed.”
I lifted my palms to my cheeks. “I am.”
“No, Mrs. Isabella. You’re now a Ruiz. I’ll take care of everything.” She walked away with the sheets as I tried to make sense of my life. I scanned my new surroundings. This was the first time I’d been in the kitchen, and by the sound of my rumbling stomach, it had been a while since I’d eaten. The room was large and stylish. In the center was a large island with a sink on one side and a counter with multiple stools on the other.
Lola returned from the secret laundry room with a satisfied smile. “What can I get you for breakfast? Coffee?”
“No coffee, but juice would be good.” I laid my hand over my stomach. “I don’t think I ate much dinner last night.” I’d been too nervous about Em’s mission.
“Tell me what I can make you.”
“Toast and fruit would be great.”
As I sat on one of the tall stools at the big island, Lola went to work. She talked the entire time. My guess was that it was a ploy to distract me because she created a feast of more than I’d requested. By the time she was finished, I not only had a bowl of fruit but also a plate with eggs, bacon, and toast. I also had glasses of orange juice and water. The water was the first to go. Apparently, I was thirsty too.
My stomach wasn’t upset about the amount of food—on the contrary. I was famished.
Valentina entered as I took the last bite of the sourdough toast drowning in butter, dressed as if she had plans. “Good morning.”
I swallowed. “Good morning.”
She scanned my dress. “You look pretty in Camila’s dress.”
“Um, thank you. I have clothes at Mia’s house.”
“We’ll send for your things later today. When you’re done eating, Miguel is going to drive us to a bridal boutique in Del Mar. Catalina and I looked there for her wedding dress. They had some beautiful off-the-rack dresses.”
I blinked. “We’re going to get a wedding dress?”
“Of course. If we had more time, we could have one made. But with the ceremony tomorrow, I’m afraid we’ll have to see what we can find. I called Satin Serenade and spoke with the owner. She’s thrilled to fit you in. The earlier the better as they will most likely also need to make some alterations.”
Satin Serenade in Del Mar .
I took a deep breath. “Did el Patr?n lift the lockdown?”
Valentina waved her hand at me. “Miguel will be with us. It’s a private boutique, by appointment only.”
“I don’t need a bridal gown. I’m already married.”
Valentina sighed. “This is your choice, but if you don’t mind some advice from an old lady…?”
“You’re not old.”
“An older lady.”
I nodded.
She sat at the tall stool at my side. “Weddings are for a lot of reasons. The couple is far down the list. After last night, you and Em are wed. Father Gallo said he’d bring the license over today. Tomorrow’s ceremony is about the Luciano famiglia and the Roríguez cartel.” She shook her head. “I know about both families because both of my daughters now have Luciano as their last name. I’ve become familiar with your famiglia. Weddings bring two families together. I spoke to Mia who spoke to your mother.” She smiled. “Your family will be here tomorrow. A wedding gown will help your parents understand that you are a married woman.”
My mind was stuck on the fact that my family was coming. “My parents and siblings are coming?”
“And others, I believe.”
“Okay. Who else will be here?”
“As many as el Patr?n will allow.” She winked. “We have Mia on our side, so don’t worry.” She tapped the counter of the island. “Let me know when you’re done eating and we’ll go.”
After finishing the breakfast, I made my way up to our bedroom. The bed I stripped was made. I flipped back the blankets and smiled at another set of black sheets. In the bathroom, Em’s clothes that he’d left in the shower were gone. Fresh towels replaced the ones we’d used. As I turned to the vanity and opened the medicine cabinet, I thought about the toothbrush I left at the apartments.
Running my tongue over my teeth, I decided that after what Em and I did last night, using his toothbrush wasn’t as weird as it sounded. As I rinsed, my phone rang. The name on the screen read Your Husband .
I smiled, wondering when he’d changed his name.
I answered, “Hi, husband.”
“Hey, wife. I’m over at Jano’s. Mia is collecting your things. She also mentioned you were going dress shopping with Mom.”
“It was news to me too.”
“Lockdown.”
“I told her. She said that bodyguard you mentioned named Miguel would be with us.”
Em paused. “There is too much happening to argue with Mom.”
My forehead creased with concern. “What’s happening?”
He lowered his voice. “No secrets, just not a good time.”
My lip disappeared behind my teeth. “I understand.”
“I’m not taking any chances. Horace is on his way to the house. Don’t leave until you have both bodyguards with you.”
“Is the dust settling?”
He sighed. “Some.”
“Your mom said my family is coming for tomorrow. Will el Patr?n allow us to have the ceremony?”
“No matter what happens, we’re married.”
“It seems silly to get a dress.”
“You deserve a real ceremony. Just don’t leave the house until Horace is with you.”
“ Sí, jefe .”
Em lowered his voice. “You know what that does to me?”
Memories of last night flashed through my mind. “Now I do.”
“Stay safe.”
“You, too,” I said. “I love you.”
The call disconnected.
I experimented with different routes to and from the first level, trying to learn my way around this giant house. It wasn’t quite as huge as Aunt Arianna’s in the Ozarks, but it was close. Walking down the front staircase, I watched as a man opened the front door. Horace entered. “Horace,” I called.
He looked up. “Miss Izzy.” He bowed his head. “ Mrs. Izzy.”
“That’s me.”
His smile widened. “It’s very good to see you today. You look…”
What is he going to say…fucked?
“You look happy.”
I made it to the bottom of the stairs and walked toward my bodyguard. “I am.”
He lifted a brow. “I hear we’re wedding dress shopping. I also heard there was already a wedding.”
“You seem to be in on all the gossip. There was a wedding, but tomorrow is the full ceremony.”
“Very well.”
The man who opened the door returned. “Senora Ruiz, I am Miguel.”
I nodded. “Miguel, I am Isabella or Izzy.”
He grinned. “Senora Valentina is ready to go.”
I looked at Horace. “Let’s go shopping.”