Page 101 of Devil's Azalea

I almost laugh despite myself.

“Maximo told me you thought the guys had been involved in your father’s death. I can’t imagine how I would have reacted if I believed myatëwas murdered by the love of my life.”

The love of my life.The phrase sends an unexpected jolt through me. Is that what Rafael is? Is that what this terrifying, consuming thing between us has become?

“Plus—” Elira glances at Katie, then leans closer, her voice dropping to a whisper that only I can hear. “Maximo also told me you came to see him a few days ago. Thank you. I really mean that.” Her hand squeezes mine, and the tightness loosens in my chest. Forgiveness. It’s more than I deserve, but I’ll take it.

“You know,” Gianna pipes up, and I turn to look at her properly for the first time. She’s so pretty with her goldish amber eyes that catch the light and that baby blue dress that makes her look like she’s floating on air. “I’m wondering if I should be jealous. You never tried to kidnap me. Was I never on your radar?”

Oh God.“What? No, I–”

“Relax, I’m just messing with you.” Her laugh is tired but genuine. “Congratulations on the big day. You make a beautiful bride, and your ring…” She whistles low. “Absolutely stunning.”

I glance down at the ring on my finger and smile faintly. It still feels so surreal to finally be wearing this after all these years.

A movement brushes my shoulder, and I start a little, looking back. Katie.Fuck.I completely forgot she was here. “Oh, I’ve been so incredibly rude.” I clear my throat and gesture towards her. “This is Katie, my close friend. Katie, these are–”

“I know who they are,” she cuts me off mildly as she leans forward to shake Gianna and Elira’s hands.

“This is so weird. I’ve never been in a room with FBI agents before,” Gianna says. She turns to Elira with a mock-serious expression. “El, you’re the expert here—how do I contain myself?”

“It’s fine,” Katie chuckles, her professional mask slipping. “You can just be yourself and spill your husband’s deepest, darkest secrets to me. I’ll keep them safe, promise.”

Everyone laughs, and I feel some of the tension bleed out of my shoulders. Maybe this won’t be the disaster I’d imagined.

“Besides,” she adds. “I’m technically the only agent in this room now. Emily decided to throw away her career.”

Ouch.The judgment in her tone stings, but I can’t blame her. From the outside, this looks insane.

“Well, I–” Gianna starts, but she’s cut off by the most adorable little cry I’ve ever heard.

My attention immediately shifts to the infant carriers, and suddenly nothing else matters. These are Michael’s daughters—my heart nieces, if such a thing exists. I’ve never met them, and the oversight feels criminal now.

I trail behind Gianna like a moth to a flame, eager to finally see them up close.

“Oh,” I breathe as I peer over her shoulder while she picks up the crying child and cradles her in the crook of her arm.

The little one’s face is scrunched up, turning an alarming shade of red as she makes her displeasure known. But she starts to calm down as soon as her mother rocks her in a gentle rhythm.

She has a full mop of blonde hair and a tiny heart-shaped mole at the corner of her mouth. When her eyes flutter open, my breath catches in my throat.

Michael’s eyes.Unmistakably, undeniably Michael’s eyes.

My gaze flicks to the second twin in the carrier. She’s awake as well, watching the commotion like she’s patiently waiting for her turn, and holy shit, I knew they were identical, but seeing them in person?—

My heartbeat slows to a steady thud as I look back and forth between the two girls, something warm and strange unfurling in my chest. Is this what women mean when they talk about their ovaries exploding? Because something is definitely happening in mine.

“They’re so beautiful,” I manage when I finally remember how to form words. “Like little replicas of Michael.”

Gianna gives me a tired smile. “They’re as active and strong-willed as he is too. This is Emma,” she nods to the baby in her arms, “and that’s Nora.” She nods at the baby in the carrier. “She’s the calmer one, but don’t let that fool you—she can be just as demanding when she wants to be.”

I grin, picturing Michael as a father. “I can only imagine how overbearing and overprotective Michael must be. He’s probably already planning their bodyguard details.” He acts cold on the outside, but he’s pure marshmallow fluff when it comes to the people he loves. He’s definitely the type to be a helicopter parent.

“Oh God, don’t even remind me,” Gianna groans. “He almost didn’t let us come today. I had to threaten him withdivorce. But no way was I going to miss the wedding of the century.”

Wedding of the century.I internally cringe at the dramatic phrase. Katie showed me the tabloid headlines this morning, and they’re all variations of the same theme:

Billionaire Businessman to Marry Government Official.