Page 175 of Savage Hearts

“Exactly. While you were gone, I realized that life is short and full of random assholery. You have to seize the good while it’s there for the seizing.”

“Wait, you know carpe diem means seize thedayright?”

“No, it’s seize the good. I know a guy who has it tattooed on his forearm. He explained it to me.”

“Uh-huh. And did this Ph.D. have any idea he had a Latin phrase derived from Horace’s eleventh ode inked on his skin, or did he just think it was a cool Instagram meme?”

She sighs. “You could give a person a stroke.”

“No wonder people keep telling me we’re so much alike. Back to this wedding of yours. Where will it be happening?”

“The Old North Church. It’s Declan’s home parish.”

I find it interesting that the head of the Irish Mob goes to church, but I guess he probably has lots of confessing to do. “Is Dad coming?”

A cloud passes over her face. “I didn’t invite him. And before you ask why, there’s a story I need to tell you, but I’m in too good a mood to discuss it now.”

I know they haven’t been close since she was a teenager and that she and our stepmother never got along, but it sounds like things are worse than that. Best to leave it alone until she feels like talking about it. “Okay, next question. Nat?”

“She’ll be there.”

“With what’s-his-face?”

Sloane smiles. “As if he’d let her out of his sight.”

“I feel like I’m missing some behind-the-scenes logistics.”

“I told Declan I’m not getting married without my best friend in attendance. And Nat told Kage she wouldconsidernot castrating him for giving Mal information about Declan if he showed up to the wedding to apologize.”

She squeezes my hand. “Sorry, sweetie. I don’t mean to make it sound like Mal is the bad guy.”

I wave it off, too interested in the developing drama to care about that. “So NatandKage are coming to the wedding?”

“Yep.”

“And Declan is okay with Kage being there?”

She laughs. “Not even a little bit. But those are the rules the boys are working with. And it’s not like they’ve never been in a room together before.” She pauses to think. “Although, I’m pretty sure every time that’s happened, somebody’s gotten shot.”

“Wow. Should be a fun wedding.”

She seems unconcerned about the possibility of a massacre breaking out during her nuptials, saying airily, “There’ll be security up the yin-yang. Everybody will be searched and their weapons removed before going into the church. I’m sure they can manage to play nice for thirty minutes.”

I’m not sure about that at all, but I admire her confidence. “What am I wearing? I can’t borrow another one of your outfits to wear to your wedding. That seems like it would be bad luck. The bride is supposed to wear something borrowed, not the guests.”

“I’ve got a dress ordered for you. The seamstress will be here to fit it tomorrow morning.”

That surprises me, but not too much, considering my gift from Pakhan. “It’s amazing how you mobster folk can just order up custom gowns on a moment’s notice.”

“I can’t have my maid of honor walking down the aisle in a pair of camouflage hunting pants, now, can I?”

Now I’m not only surprised, I’m flabbergasted. “Maid… maid of honor?Me?”

“You and Nat both.”

My voice is strangled with emotion. “You’re having two maids of honor?”

Her eyes shining, she says softly, “You’re my sister, dumbass. Of course I’m having you as one of my maids of honor.”