Page 64 of Devil's Iris

“Don’t. I think you’ll have better luck asking Rafael where we’re going.” I doubt that control freak would let his wife out of his sight for two days without knowing exactly where she would be. That’s right—this bachelorette party is for two whole days.

He gives me a curt nod, and any chance at conversation dies the moment the limo stops right in front of the house and the door opens. The girls spill out, and I burst into laughter at their outfits. They’re all wearing matching black silk robes with the word‘bridesmaids’emblazoned across the back in glittering letters.

Yup, they’ve officially appointed themselves as my bridesmaids. I can’t even.

I glance up at Romero, but he doesn’t look amused at all. If anything, he looks like he’s about to drag me back inside the house. I poke his arm lightly, and his gaze softens a fraction, though he still doesn’t crack a smile.

“Come on, Leni! We don’t have all day,” Gia calls, waving me over. “We need to leave the country before Michael changes his mind about letting me out of his sight.”

“Leave the country?” Romero latches onto those words just as Elira’s elbow kisses Gia’s ribs.

“Oops.” Gia covers her mouth, but it’s too late.

“It’s nothing for you to worry about,” Emily says matter-of-factly as she jogs up the steps to grab my arm. “Say goodbye to your pretty boy, Leni. You won’t be seeing him for a while.”

Still chuckling, I lean up to kiss a stunned Romero’s cheek,breathing in his intoxicating scent one more time before I’m being dragged away into whatever adventure the girls have planned.

23

LENI

The girls sing along to the music blasting through the speakers as we sip sweet cocktails—well, mocktails for Elira, who keeps making exaggerated sad faces every time we clink glasses.

Since she’s the only one sober, the others decided she’s in charge, which makes her the gatekeeper of this mystery party. I lean towards her, determined to crack her resolve. “Come on, Elira. Just give me a hint. A tiny one. Where are we going?”

She only winks at me. “Patience, darling. Good things come to those who wait.”

Damn it.

I laugh and let it go, surrendering to the chaos and actually enjoying myself. When have I ever had this? The chance to hang out with women this beautiful, this fun, all genuinely invested in getting me drunk and making me happy?

Never. The answer is never. And honestly, I’m loving it.

Whatever the big surprise is, I’ll find out soon enough. For now, I sip my delicious drink, though my brow furrows at the unfamiliar backroads the driver keeps taking.

Am I… getting kidnapped by mob wives?

The thought makes me snort into my glass. God, twococktails in and I’m already losing it. That’s the only explanation for the absurd crap bouncing around my head.

Then the limo takes one last turn, and suddenly we’re pulling into a massive private airstrip housing a huge private jet. My jaw drops as the driver takes us right up to the steps extending from the aircraft.

“We’re here!” Emily bounces in her seat, shimmying her shoulders.

The driver opens the door for us, and we spill out, still clutching our glasses. Giggling, we parade up the stairs, and the second I step inside, the air rushes from my lungs.

“Oh my God,” I breathe, turning in a slow circle. “This is… insane.”

This isn’t a plane. It’s a floating palace.

Soft cream leather seats wrap around the cabin in a gentle U-shape, each one looking more inviting than the last. Plush sky-blue pillows and silky throws are scattered artfully across the seats, and warm golden lights bathe everything in an almost ethereal glow.

This has to be a dream. My first time on a plane, and it’s a private jet? It doesn’t even occur to me to be nervous about flying when I’m surrounded by this much luxury.

Then I see it.

There’s a bar.

A polished walnut bar with gold trim along the edges that sparkles under the soft light, already set with flutes of champagne and a crystal bowl overflowing with strawberries.Wow.