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The clerk returned within three minutes, and he was immediately put through to Father Armando.

“Nicolo, it’s good to hear your voice.” Slash held the phone away from his ear and smiled at the priest’s booming voice. “It’s been too long since we spoke, and yet, I pray for you every day.”

Nicolo was the name Father Armando had given him as an infant. One of a long list of names Slash had gone by in his life, and one of the ones he loved best.

“I apologize for letting a few months slip past since we last spoke,” Slash said. “It’s been a busy time for me.”

The priest laughed. “No worries, of course. You’re an important man.”

“Not nearly as important as you.” In fact, more important than most people outside the Vatican knew. As a close friend of the pope, Father Armando was widely seen among many other priests and cardinals as the new, forward-thinking conscience of the Vatican. The father, however, would be appalled to be identified as such, considering himself a humble man, but Slash thought it true just the same.

Father Armando laughed. “I am but a servant of God. How are you?”

They exchanged pleasantries for a few more minutes, with Slash asking the priest about his new responsibilities and getting an earful about the numerous duties and complexities of being both an archbishop and a cardinal.

“And I thought I was busy,” Slash finally said.

“You certainly are. Now, Nicolo, tell me: to what do Ireallyowe the honor of this call? There’s something on your mind.”

“You do know me well. It’s happy news, Father. I wanted to let you know I’m engaged.”

“Engaged? Oh, I’m absolutely delighted. Congratulations. Is it with the young woman you were telling me about?”

“Si.Her name is Lexi.”

“I look forward to meeting her. When’s the wedding?”

“We haven’t gotten that far yet, but I’d like you to be there. It would mean a lot to me. To both of us actually.”

“It would be my honor and privilege to attend. I can’t tell you how glad this news makes me. You deserve every moment of joy that comes your way, Nicolo.”

“She makes me happy, Father. It’s a rare person who can do that.”

The father’s laughter boomed through the phone, and Slash removed it from his ear again. “Forgive me for sounding cliché, but God works in mysterious ways. Hewillreward those who are faithful.”

Slash slipped the gold cross from beneath his shirt and kissed it. “Thank you.”

“When do you plan on visiting Italy again?” the priest asked. “Will I get to meet her soon?”

He hadn’t realized how much he wanted that to happen until this moment. “We haven’t planned a trip in the immediate future, but as you know, things often change. However, there’s an additional reason I called.” Slash caught him up quickly on the situation with Giorgio.

“That’s quite unusual,” Father Armando said after he’d finished. “What was the reason offered?”

“That’s the strange part. There was no reasoning for the denial. Just that it came from Rome. Gio has filed a petition, and while I know it’s not your jurisdiction, I wondered if you might be able to find out what’s going on.”

“Of course. I shall make it a priority.”

“Thank you, Father. I’d greatly appreciate it.”

The priest’s voice lowered and softened with affection. “For you, my son, anything.”

Chapter Nine

Lexi

Since Slash wasn’t there when I got home from work, I started dinner. Mondays were my nights to cook anyway, so I pulled out my phone, checked my dinner spreadsheet—the one I always completed Sunday night with attached recipes and exact nutritional value. Slash preferred to eat healthy meals, but since I loved sweets, we’d compromised by always having dessert with dinner. Tonight, the menu called for grilled salmon, asparagus and brown rice. For desert, it was chocolate ice cream with rainbow sprinkles. I fixed myself a small bowl of the ice cream to ensure it would complement the rest of the meal.

After I licked the bowl clean, I decided it would.