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The joy of hope.

CHAPTER 27

Jago

Kruz’s inquiries into Fassi had come up empty-handed yet again as they had for over two days.

Navarro hadn’t been any more successful in obtaining information on the streets no matter the threats issued. Fassi and his men had all but disappeared from view, which meant they were lying in wait plotting their next move.

I knew their methods well. Snakes worked much the same way.

“Jago?” Kruz asked.

The bastard had left the wedding ceremony alone and in truth, I had my doubts he or his savage soldiers would make an appearance at the reception. He knew there’d be extra security.

From where I stood in the back of the private room, I was able to keep my eye on Genevieve. She’d finally allowed herself to relax, dancing with anyone who asked. She’d done so in deference to my refusal to step foot on the dance floor.

My fingers were wrapped tightly around the glass of bourbon, yet I’d had very few gulps since snatching it from the bartender’s hand. Just when I was about to answer my soldier, she turned her head toward me, beckoning me with a single finger.

The room was crowded, surprisingly so. The invitations had gone out hurriedly by email and I’d expected less than half the people. It would seem our wedding was the event of the year. I snickered at the thought. Even my mother and father, rarely seen together over the last few years, were enjoying themselves. Both genuinely seemed to adore Genevieve.

It had almost seemed like he’d forgiven me for all the suffering he’d accused me of.

To my bride’s credit, she’d maintained a façade that most Hollywood actresses would be envious of. All I could do was watch her, enjoying the view while fuming over the events of the last few days.

“Jago.” Kruz was more insistent.

“What?” I was still on edge, furious we’d yet to find anything.

“Jesus. I thought you’d be in a better mood. You just married a beautiful woman.”

Jealousy shot a strange shot of current through me and I snapped my head in his direction. “Unless you’re here to tell me you found something, then my mood stands.”

“No, I came to tell you the security hasn’t been breached, which I thought you’d be happy in hearing.”

“Unless you caged some animals, nothing will make me happy at this point.”

“Why don’t you dance with your bride? Maybe that will coax you out of your snit.”

“My what?”

“You heard me.”

She’d been even more resilient over the last two days since I’d bared my soul, but there was a still a thick wall between us. Perhaps I’d mistakenly believed sex could cure that for us. All the passion had done was create additional rage in my need to protect her. “I’m not in a snit.”

“Yes, you are,” he said, chortling as he always did when I became stubborn.

“Fuck you.”

“You just got married. You’re trying to maintain an act, but you’re sulking in the shadows. Go talk to her. Dance with her. Go make babies or something.”

“I’m not sulking. I’m contemplating.”

“Oh, that’s what you call it now.” He sighed, knowing I wasn’t going to budge. “Are you still catching a flight?”

“I owe her a honeymoon. It’s the least I can do.”

“Are you certain that’s wise?”