Dark Redemption (8 page)

         
I love you.

         
I love you too.

         
Forever?

         
Forever.

         
The priest cleared his throat and Kate startled, flashing him an apologetic
grin. Dominic wiggled his eyebrows at her and she had to stifle a giggle.
The priest
drolled
on about the sacred
sacrament of marriage.
Kate tried to listen to every word, but Dominic
was a distraction too difficult to ignore.

         
She couldn’t help but savor the way the candlelight danced across the dark
planes of his face. She couldn’t resist tracing the lines of his strong
shoulders in the dark, impeccably tailored tuxedo jacket. She couldn’t avoid
the heat of his gaze as he lovingly admired her in return. She’d never felt so
beautiful, never felt so loved, so happy.

         
“Dominic Ridolfi, do you take this woman to be your lawful wedded wife, to live
together after God’s ordinance in the Holy State of Matrimony? Will you love
her, comfort her, honor and keep her in sickness and in health, for richer and
for poorer, for better and for worse,
in joy and in sorrow, to cherish
and continually bestow upon her your heart’s deepest devotion; and, forsaking
all others, keep yourself only unto her for all eternity?”

         
“I do,” Dominic
agreed,
his rich, husky voice thick
with emotion. His eyes, gleaming with fervent adoration, held hers.

         
“Kate Murdock, do you take this man to be your lawful wedded husband, to live
together after God’s ordinance in the Holy State of Matrimony? Will you love
him, comfort him, honor and keep him in sickness and in health, for richer and
for poorer, for better and for worse,
in joy and in sorrow, to cherish
and continually bestow upon him your heart’s deepest devotion; and, forsaking
all others, keep yourself only unto him for all eternity?”

         
“I do,” Kate agreed, returning Dominic’s loving gaze with her own.

         
Lindsey and Giovanni stepped forward, presenting their wedding bands.

         
“The wedding ring is the outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual
bond, which unites two loyal hearts in endless love. It is a seal of the vows
Dominic and Kate have made to one another. Bless, Oh God, these
rings, that
Kate and Dominic, who give them, and who wear
them, may ever abide in thy peace.
Living together in unity,
love and happiness throughout eternity.

         
“Dominic, repeat after me…

         
“Kate, I give you this ring as a symbol of our vows, and with all that I am,
and all that I have, I honor you. With this ring, I thee wed,” Dominic
repeated, sliding the band into place on Kate’s left ring finger.
   

         
Her skin tingled from the gentle caress of his fingers. Kate glanced down to
admire the ring, a wide platinum band with alternating triangular diamonds
channel set around the diameter. It was the perfect representation of them.
Yin and Yang.
Vampire and werewolf.
Together in harmony and love.

         
“Kate, repeat after me…”

         
Kate cleared her throat of the lump of emotion forming there and repeated the
words in turn. “Dominic, I give you this ring as a symbol of our vows, and with
all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you. With this ring, I thee wed.”
Kate eased the thick platinum wedding band onto Dominic’s left ring finger.
        

         
She loved the sense of belonging, of ownership. He was hers and she was his.
Forever.

         
“Those whom God hath joined together, let no man put asunder. Forasmuch as
Dominic and Kate have consented together in Holy Wedlock, and have witnessed
the same before God and this company, and thereto have given their pledge, each
to the other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving a ring, and by
joining hands; by the power vested in me by the Almighty God, I now pronounce
you husband and wife. Dominic, you many now kiss your bride.”

         
The priest didn’t have to tell Dominic twice. Before Kate could blink, Dominic
gathered her against his chest, molding her to him as his mouth covered hers.
It was a tender kiss, the gentle meeting of lips, a whispered echo of their
vows. Kate savored the softness of his lips, the sweet freshness of his breath,
her heart racing from the chaste kiss. Her arms snaked up around his neck,
clutching the base of his skull to draw him closer, begging for more.

         
Dominic’s arm moved to Kate’s waist dragging her in tighter against his hips,
while the other moved to support her neck. He arched her back, dipping her as
he deepened the kiss. Their mouths and tongues melded and teased in a
passionate whirl of excitement and promise, love and desire.    

         
Kate was vaguely aware of the hoots, cat calls, and wild applause of their
small party of onlookers, but all she knew was Dominic. Kate felt her knee come
up to cradle Dominic’s hips against her. He growled, his lower hand wandering
to
cup
the curve of her buttocks as he ground himself
against her throbbing center.

         
“
Ech-ehm
.”
A stern clearing
of a throat, somewhere off to her left. Kate couldn’t bring herself to care.

         
Kate gasped in shallow, breathless pants as Dominic laid siege to her mouth and
body, kissing her as though they were the only two people in the world.
Apparently they were not and their audience had grown tired of the show.

         
“Dominic!” the priest scolded, amused disproval coloring his tone. “While the
Almighty sanctions the consummation of your union, I don’t believe he would
appreciate you doing so in His House.”

         
Dominic broke their passionate embrace with a throaty chuckle. Cradling Kate’s
head in his hands, Dominic rested his forehead against hers. Heart thundering,
limbs trembling, Kate struggled to catch her breath, her cheeks flushed,
burning hot in a combination of embarrassment and desire.

         
“I love you,
cara
,” Dominic whispered with a
soft smile.

         
Kate beamed back at him, so full of joy. He was hers at last. “I love you too.”

         
“Ladies and Gentlemen, I now proudly present to you Mr. and Mrs. Dominic
Ridolfi,” the priest announced to the empty chapel as though the room was
filled to the brim with well-wishers and loved ones.

         
Dominic held their joined hands up between them as they turned to face the
empty chapel. Kate imagined everyone she cared about in the pews, smiling back
and cheering in approval.
Her parents, Guy, Alexander,
Massimo, her coworkers, sorority sisters, neighbors, and friends.
        

         
She knew why they couldn’t be there. And though the rows were empty, they were
all there in her heart. That was enough. Lindsey, Giovanni, and Gianna whistled
and applauded, cheering their hearts out for the pair of newlyweds.

         
Turning to the priest, Dominic indicated the man of the cloth with a soft
smile. “
Cara
, this is my uncle, Lucan. Uncle Lucan, this is my lovely
wife, Kate.”

         
Kate’s heart thrilled at the sound of that word rolling off Dominic’s tongue.
His wife.

         
“It’s a pleasure to meet you at last, Kate,” Lucan said, lifting her hand to
brush his lips to the back of her hand.

         
“And you as well,” Kate agreed, smiling at the somber werewolf.

         
Though young in body, Kate could see the wisdom and experience in the priest’s
dark eyes. She could also see his misgivings toward her. His eyes told her that
he knew exactly who and what she was, knew exactly what she was destined to do.
She felt the need to defend herself, to explain that she wanted no part of her
dark heritage. She would sooner die than bring harm to the wolves.

         
“Listen, I---”

         
Lucan silenced her with an upraised hand. “Say no more, Katerina. What will be,
will be. Just enjoy your special day.”

         
He’d called her Katerina.
The dark demon within her writhed at
the sound of her name on a werewolf’s lips, snarling to awareness.
Kate
slammed the imaginary door on her darker self, forcing her back into the
shadowed corners of her mind. No one was going to ruin this day, not even her.

         
Lucan’s eyes narrowed, his lips tightening infinitesimally beneath his smile.
He must have sensed the change in her. Resisting the urge to protest, Kate
pasted a smile on her face and gave him a gracious nod.

         
Dominic shook hands with his uncle and thanked him. Lucan smiled and nodded,
murmuring congratulations, but Kate could feel his eyes burning into her. Kate
turned her back on Dominic and his uncle, searching for Lindsey. The chapel was
empty except for the three of them.
Strange.
Where
were Lindsey and the twins? Kate turned to Dominic with a small frown, concern
building in her chest. They wouldn’t have left without saying goodbye, would
they?

         
Dominic quirked a brow at her in question, then reading her face, gave her a
reassuring smile. “Don’t worry. They haven’t gone far,
cara
.” 

         
Kate smiled her thanks,
then
studied a particularly
riveting rose petal on the floor near her feet in an effort to ignore the
piercing gaze of Dominic’s uncle. Why did it feel as though Lucan could see
every smudge on her damned soul?

Chapter
8

         
Bidding his uncle farewell, Dominic took Kate’s hand in his. “You ready,
cara
?”

         
“Always,” she said, squeezing his hand.

         
Hand-in-hand, they strode together back down the aisle, through the small
foyer, and out the front doors of the church. There, they found the three
members of their bridal party, waiting with a warm welcome in the cold night
air.

         
“Congratulations!” The trio shouted in unison as the couple emerged at the
front of the church.

         
The three of them thronged the base of the steps, Lindsey on one side, Giovanni
and Gianna on the other. All three toted mechanical bubble guns, holding them
at the ready.

Cascades
of bubbles filled the air, floating in a magical curtain around Kate and
Dominic. Kate dragged Dominic to her, tangling her fingers in the short hair at
the back of his head, and kissed him with all her heart. Without breaking the
kiss, Dominic scooped her up into his arms and dashed through the flurry of
bubbles to the white limousine waiting at the base of the small courtyard.

The
gorgeous stretch limousine had been lovingly decorated in true wedding fashion,
from the enormous red bow on the hood to the colorful streamers and cans tied
to the rear. Kate’s hand flew to her mouth, stifling a laugh as she read the
writing adorning the dark windows. Sure, the classic, ‘Just Married,’ had been
scrawled across the rear window, but the nearest side said ‘Honk, if you think
we’re doing
it
right now.
’
That one had to be Lindsey. Kate was
afraid to see what the other side said.

Dominic
opened the door and helped Kate in. A plush, curving bench in a rich cream hue
ran along one side of the luxurious cab, with a contemporary wet bar comprising
the opposite side. A soft amber glow illuminated the cabin from track lights
along the ceiling and bar.

After
exchanging a few words with his siblings, Dominic ducked into the waiting limo.
He slid into the seat next to Kate and pulled the door shut behind him. He
turned to her, shaking his head with a bemused grin.

“What’s
so funny?” Kate asked, snuggling into his chest as he draped an arm around her
shoulders

“The
other side says, ‘Honk and my bride will flash you,’” Dominic said with a
chuckle.

“Of
course it does,” Kate groaned. Maybe she could justify killing her best friend
in cold blood.

         
“Now, I know it’s early in our marriage to be setting ground rules, but you
have to know, I might take umbrage at you flashing the goods at anyone other than
me,” Dominic said, the very picture of solemnity. “I can be very jealous.”

         
“I’ll try to keep that in mind,” Kate murmured, pressing her lips to his, “and
try to resist the urge to flash my girly bits at every man desperate enough to
honk.”

         
“You would do that for me?” Dominic asked, as though it was no small sacrifice.
Though his face was serious, his rich, brown eyes sparkled with laughter.

Kate
leaned in close to his ear, her lips brushing the smooth shell as she spoke.
“Baby, I would do
anything
for you,” Kate whispered, trailing her
fingers suggestively up his thigh.

“Is
that so?” Dominic growled, grinning as he shifted in his seat to drag her onto
his lap. His mouth claimed hers, his lips moving against hers as they coerced
her to open beneath his kiss. His tongue teased and tasted hers in long,
languorous strokes that made her hungry for more. Kate molded her soft chest
into his hard one, wiggling her bottom against the growing hardness of his
groin.

The
rear door to the limo ripped open and a loud male voice announced, “Move over
lovebirds, the party has arrived!”

“When
I kill him, tell the judge the murder was justified,” Dominic muttered,
dropping his head against Kate’s chest in frustration. Sucking in a deep
breath, he let it out in a weary sigh. “I thought you’d ride my bike over while
Gianna drove Lindsey in your car.”

With
an irreverent grin, Giovanni took in Kate’s red cheeks and position on
Dominic’s lap. “Change of plans, little brother. Sorry.” Looking far from
apologetic, Giovanni settled into the bench next to them.

“Sorry,
Dom,” Gianna called as she ducked into the limo and made herself at home next
to Giovanni. “I changed my mind. I couldn’t stand the idea of you two getting
busy back here. No amount of professional cleaning could get rid of that kind
of
ick
-factor.”

“That’s
just
cause
Gia
likes to get
busy back here herself,” Gio stage whispered. Gianna answered with a sharp
elbow to the chest, causing Gio to grunt in pain.

Lindsey
followed behind Gianna, a knowing grin on her angelic face. “I hope we aren’t
interrupting anything.”

“Don’t
worry, we are,” Gio smirked.

Kate
shifted off of Dominic’s lap, slipping into the seat beside him, but wishing
she could sink into the floor. Her cheeks would probably achieve a degree of
redness reserved for boiled lobster by the time this night was over. Her best
friend and Dominic’s siblings seemed determined to embarrass them as much as
possible. It came with the newlywed territory, she supposed.

Determined
to change the subject, Kate turned to anything but their sex life. “So, this
limo is yours, Gianna?”

Gio
answered for his sister. “Yeah,
Gia
is too much of a
snob to drive herself around like us common folk, so she has a driver cart her
prissy ass around in the Bentley.”

Huffing
with indignation, Gianna tossed her hair and glared daggers at her twin. “That
is
so
not true, Gio. I’m just too busy to drive,” she protested, then
turned to Kate with a smile. “I travel a lot for work and find it easier to
work while on the road.”

Kate
was just thrilled to have the heat taken off of her for a bit.
“Oh, really?
What do you do?”

“She’s
a model,” Giovanni interjected, rolling his eyes.

Lindsey
snapped her fingers, her face brightening with realization. “I thought I knew
you from somewhere. You’re
GiGi
Ryder.”

“Guilty,”
Gianna admitted with a grin, then leveled a malevolent glare at Giovanni. “But,
I’m not just a model. I own a series of clothing design companies and provide
financial backing for up-and-coming designers.”

“That
is so cool,” Lindsey exclaimed, leaning forward in her seat. “Do you know
Donatella Versace? Roberto
Cavalli
? Giorgio Armani?”

Gianna
nodded. “I’ve worked with each of them at one point or another in their
careers.”

Kate
eyed her sister-in-law curiously. Now that Lindsey mentioned it, she had seen
her face in the Victoria’s Secret Catalogue and in several cosmetic campaigns.
“But how does the modeling thing work with the whole immortal thing? Doesn’t
the public notice that you never age?”

“Well,
I can only model for about ten years every twenty to thirty years or so and
always under a different public persona.
GiGi
Ryder
is my most recent identity.”

Gianna
tipped her head to the side, eyeing Kate curiously. “Dominic used to do
something similar with professional soccer, before Caprice died. He won three
World Cups for Italy, two in the 1930’s and one in the 1980’s.”

Kate
glanced up at Dominic in surprise.
“Really?”

Dominic
shrugged as though it was no big deal.
“Yeah.”

“He
never told you?” Gianna asked, raising one perfectly arched brow.

Kate
shook her head. She could easily picture him as one of those hot, shirtless
soccer players on TV, but would never have guessed on her own. How many more
surprises did Dominic have in store for her? Good thing they had an eternity ahead
of them. She’d need it just to learn everything about his past.

“Well,
I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised. He went off the deep end less than a
decade after that last World Cup, when that golden vamp butchered Caprice like
a cow,” Gianna prattled on, as though discussing a change in fashion and not
the horrific death of her sister.

Kate
tensed at the mention of Alexander. Dominic had mentioned his part in Caprice’s
death once before, but she still had trouble reconciling her friend and mentor
with a cold-blooded killer. Maybe she didn’t know Alex as well as she’d thought
she had.

“
Gia
, enough,” Dominic growled, silencing his sister with a
look hard enough to cut diamonds.

The
epitome of doe-eyed innocence, Gianna batted her eyelashes at her younger
brother. “What, Dom? I’m just bonding with my new sister.”

Gianna
tumbled down from the pedestal of Kate’s initial impression. No longer
emulating a woman driven by sibling devotion, Gianna seemed more the kind of
woman who would step on anyone to get ahead. Kate felt immediately guilty for
the thought, but wouldn’t be surprised if the beautiful she-wolf had her own
agenda behind her defiance of pack orders. Though she couldn’t blame her
sister-in-law for watching out for herself, Kate knew now to watch her back.
The she-wolf could bite.

“You
know better than to mention that bastard to me, especially on my wedding day,”
Dominic ground out between clenched teeth. “And if you are going to speak of
the dead, do so with respect.”

Gianna
huffed, “Oh Dominic, always the dramatic one.”

Okay,
so maybe their sex life would’ve been a more comfortable topic than listening
to the siblings squabble. “So where are we honeymooning?” Kate asked brightly.

Dominic
pressed a kiss to her forehead. “That is for you to decide,
cara
.
Pick a place and we’ll go.”

“Hmm, anywhere?”

“Anywhere.”

“
Ooooh
, you should go to Fiji,” Lindsey jumped in. “There’s
this romantic resort with huts right on the water. I saw it on the travel
channel.”

“Or
pub crawl your way through Ireland,” Gio added. “Not a lot of sunshine and a
whole lot of fun.”

“New
Zealand is nice this time of year,” Gianna threw in. “Although, it’s probably
crawling with tourists, which might not be the best situation for a
honeymooning vampire.”

Dominic
gave Gianna a quelling look, then turned to Kate, his eyes soft and warm in
contrast. “What will it be,
cara
?”

Although
she’d always dreamed of honeymooning in a romantic tropical locale like
Fiji, that
was back when she could lounge around in the sun all
day. Sunshine was definitely not an option, so the beach held much less appeal
than before. There was always the most romantic city in the world…

“How about Paris?”
Kate asked. “I’ve always
wanted to go and we could check off more of my list.”

“Mmm,”
Lindsey sighed.
“Honeymooning in the city of love.
How romantic.”

“Paris
it is.” Dominic fished his phone out of the pocket of his tux. His fingers flew
over the touch screen as he texted like a madman. “Done,” he announced with a
proud smile.

“Just like that?”
Kate gaped at Dominic, their
honeymoon in Paris booked with a snap of his fingers. The man would never cease
to amaze her.

Nodding,
Dominic flashed
her his
best devilish grin, all
dazzling white teeth and sparkling chocolate eyes. Kate’s heart performed back
flips. Honeymooning in Paris with this man,
her husband
, life couldn’t
get any more perfect than that.

Lindsey
coughed, but it sounded suspiciously like the words ‘lucky bitch’ muttered
under her breath. Their eyes met and Lindsey grinned at Kate. Yup, it was
definitely ‘lucky bitch.’

“So,
Gio,” Kate said. “I didn’t know you played the guitar.” She also didn’t know he
wouldn’t try to kill her on sight, but she went with the safer bet.

Dominic’s
brother ducked his head shyly.
“A little.”

“I
loved it. You play beautifully,” Kate said with a smile.

“I
liked it too,” Lindsey purred. “I like a man who knows how to handle his
instrument.”

Giovanni
choked, Kate laughed, and Gianna rolled her eyes at the bad pick up line. Kate
watched Gio steal a glance at Lindsey and sensed the heat between them. It
looked like Dominic wasn’t the only one getting lucky tonight.

Lindsey
slept with whoever she wanted, whenever she wanted. Gio looked like he was more
than game. Kate wasn’t sure how to feel about her friend getting tangled up
with an immortal, but knew it wouldn’t last long. Lindsey bored too easily.

Besides,
if Lindsey was busy in bed with Giovanni during her stay, she wouldn’t be
anywhere near a vampire’s bed. Kate had sworn to keep as much space between her
frisky best friend and the powerful, sinfully attractive men of her family.
Lindsey would lose her mind, possibly her life, over a bad boy like Massimo.
Yes, Giovanni was a much safer bet for Lindsey to sample what Italy had to
offer.