Exhaling: A Mafia Romance (The O'Keefe Family Collection Book 3) (15 page)

I
n the year
since Kelby had come into their lives, Fallyn and Vince fell into a rhythm of contented love that no one could shatter. Vince’s businesses grew less demanding as the crime rate in the city began to drop, thanks to the help of the O’Keefes, who would not let up until their niece’s neighborhood was safe for her to play in. Fallyn’s bakery had expanded beyond the one location, so she opened a second store three miles from their home for Jen to run.

Fallyn stood in the bathroom of the church, looking in the mirror and knowing there was no rational reason to feel nervous.

“You’ve done all this before,” Jen encouraged her. “I mean, this is just for fun, so maybe try breathing.”

Fallyn shook her head. “Can’t. Breathing doesn’t go with this dress.” She pinned a sprig of baby’s breath to the side of the intricately looped curls at the base of her neck. “Why am I doing this?”

Jen had talked her through this no less than four times already that morning. “Because your family didn’t get to go to your first wedding. Keenan didn’t even have the option. Now that his anklet’s off, and they’ve decided to stop being idiots, they want to see their sister get married.”

The knock on the door interrupted Fallyn’s worrying. She shifted her vintage satin fitted bodice in an attempt to suck in a deeper breath as Jen let Killian and Kelby in. He stopped short at the sight that was his daughter in her glamourous wedding gown. “Wow, Fal. You look beautiful.”

Kelby clapped her chubby hands, her four teeth visible when she smiled at her mother.

“Thanks, Kill. You look like James Bond, or like, the fanciest waiter I’ve ever seen.”

Killian quirked his eyebrow at her. “I’ll go with James Bond and ignore the rest.”

“Did Loretta have any problems setting up the cake? Four tiers can be tricky.”

“She’s fine,” Killian confirmed, holding his granddaughter with pride. Kelby was modeling a lacy white dress with a bow in her hair to match.

“How about the florist? Did Vince get his boutonniere? He needs someone to help him pin it on, or he’ll get frustrated and just throw it in the trash.”

“Vince is fine.”

“Is someone making sure he doesn’t curse in front of the minister? The minister’s Italian, so Vince can’t hide it like he usually does.”

“Fallyn?” Killian said, his voice soft with emotion.

“And the harpist. Did she have trouble setting up?”

“Fallyn,” Killian cooed.

“My dress is too tight!” She shifted the sweetheart neckline that hugged her curves in soft satin folds. “I can’t breathe!”

Killian handed Kelby to Jen and put his hands up for Fallyn to focus on. “Sweetheart, take a minute. You’re in your wedding dress.” His smile held only adoration for his daughter. “You’re beautiful.”

Fallyn melted into Killian’s arms. “Thank you. I don’t know why I’m so nervous.”

“Thanks for doing this for us. Now it’s time for your big entrance. You know, it’s not too late to back out if you don’t want to marry him,” he teased.

Fallyn narrowed her eyes at Killian. “Don’t talk like that in front of Kelby. She’s going to start understanding your terrible jokes soon enough.”

Carrigan entered the room without knocking. “Okay, the music’s starting, and we’re supposed to be walking down the aisle right about now. It’s okay I told them to play death metal, right?”

“Don’t screw with me today. I’m doing all this for you lot, so knock it off. I’m nervous enough.”

Carrigan held up his arms in surrender. “Okay, Bridezilla. I just came to pick up my date and walk her down the aisle. You know, it’s a bad sign when you’re crabbier than the one-year-old baby who hasn’t had her nap.”

“You’re trying to wind me up, but that’s not your job. You’re my bridesmaid, Carri. Heavy emphasis on the ‘maid’ part. Be nice to me. I’m freaking out.”

“Not sure how you talked me into that one. Can’t you still call me a groomsman?” Carrigan groused, planting a kiss to Kelby’s cheek, who smiled from her perch in his arms. She’d been buckled into shiny white shoes that no one saw the point of, since Kelby had yet to take her first step.

“You know, she’s never going to learn to walk if you carry her everywhere,” Fallyn complained.

Carrigan shrugged. “Then I’ll just carry her forever.”

Fallyn huffed and shook her head at Carrigan. “Oh, honestly.”

Killian proffered his arm to Fallyn, and she took it. “Thanks for this. For letting me walk you down the aisle.”

Patrick had long since succumbed to his Alzheimer’s, and could not recognize any of his children. He required assistance to walk now, so escorting Fallyn down the aisle was not an option. “I love you, Kill.”

“I love you, Fallyn. I never thought I’d get to do this. You’re a bride, and I get to see you get married this time. Thank you.”

“Don’t let me trip,” she begged Killian, clutching the calla lilies Jen handed to her. She softened at the blue ribbon from her first wedding that was tied around the stems. The locket around her neck steadied her nerves as Killian led her out of the room. Carrigan had even put his car’s starter in her trunk, just so she had her something borrowed.

The church was small, but packed. They all stood when Fallyn entered the room, and as much as she swore to Vince that their Justice of the Peace wedding was what she wanted, the childlike emotion rose in her at being the bride on her special day. Her nerves devolved into a small, shy smile when she took in her husband at the altar. He wore the same tuxedo he’d married her the first time in, and Fallyn wondered why she hadn’t insisted he wear it on a regular basis.

The priest asked the typical “Who gives this woman in marriage” question, and the pause that Killian made them both suffer through lasted nearly twenty seconds. Finally Killian responded with “Her brothers, her grandfather and I do.”

Even though he’d promised to give her away, after kissing Fallyn’s cheeks, Killian held tight to her hand as panic built up in his chest. There were a few chuckles in the audience at Killian’s hesitance, but Fallyn saw his fear plainly. She leaned up on her toes and kissed his freshly shaved cheek. “It’s time to let me go, Dad.”

Killian nodded with his eyes closed and finally released her after an emotion-laced kiss to her forehead. He stood with his brothers in the front row and sat when the service began. Angelo, Tony and Joey stood with Vince, while Jen, Carrigan and Keenan stood with Fallyn.

Kelby was content to sit in the front row on the laps of the uncles who loved her, eventually falling asleep on Seamus. The vows were renewed in front of their families and friends, and when they were presented as a couple to the audience, Vince kissed his bride for twenty seconds too long to get back at Killian for hesitating.

Fallyn danced with each of her brothers at the reception, smiling and laughing the entire time as they enjoyed the gift she’d given them of seeing her get married. Several cracks were made to Vince about the wedding night, which he took in stride.

When the night finally wound to an end, Fallyn was pleasantly exhausted as she sat at a table with Vince. She watched Danny and Jen dance on the floor, noting the familiar look of rapture she’d experienced time and time again when she gazed at Vince. “Um, that’s something,” she declared, pointing to the two. “I called it. If that turns into something, just let it be known that I saw it happening.”

Vince sat back in his chair, smiling at Kelby, who had long since passed out in Killian’s arms. “How about next year, we just go to a restaurant or something for our anniversary? I mean, this was great, but man, I’m tired.”

“Everyone’s just about gone. Think we can go home soon?” She looked around and noticed that only the two families and two others were left. “Would you mind pulling around the car, hun? I’m beat, and these shoes are no joke.”

A sneaky grin lit Vince’s handsome features as he stood, pulling his jacket off his chair and fishing out his keys. “Actually, we’re not going home tonight. It’s our honeymoon, after all.”

Fallyn tilted her head up at him, enjoying the look of his devious smile. “Did you book us a night in a hotel? That’s sweet, baby. We haven’t had a night away since our actual honeymoon.”

“I did book us a room. That same room, in fact.”

“That same room where?” Fallyn wrinkled her nose in confusion.

“In Italy.” Vince pulled her up to stand and traced the low-cut neckline of her white gown. “Let’s get this dress off you.”

Fallyn snorted at what she assumed to be a joke. “Very funny. Let me grab Kelby and say goodnight to the guys.”

“You can’t bring a baby on a honeymoon. I’ve arranged for the guys to take her for the next three weeks.” Vince kissed Fallyn’s confused lips, beaming with pride at having truly surprised her. “It’s been too long since we’ve been away.”

“You’re not serious.”

“I’m so serious that if you don’t get in the car, I’m going to take this dress off you right here in front of everyone, throw you down on the floor and have my filthy way with you.”

“Vince, you didn’t book a trip to Italy. I would’ve known.” Fallyn tried to find the joke in his truth, but couldn’t.

Vince set his coat down and swept her protests up in a kiss that stole her breath and weakened her knees. His lips were firm with passion and laced with pride at the beautiful bride he’d stolen and managed to keep for his own. Just when she started to devolve into a puddle in his arms, he smirked into the kiss as he snaked the zipper on the back of her dress down a few inches.

“Hands off!” Declan shouted, though he spoke with embarrassment more than aggression.

“Vince!” she balked, pulling back.

“I warned you. Let’s go. Say goodnight to Kelby now. I’ll bring the car around.”

Fallyn’s eyes were wide with glee as she ran to Carrigan and tackled him in a hug, since he was the nearest brother. “I’m going to Italy! I’m going to Italy! Vince surprised me with a honeymoon! We’re leaving right now. Can you believe it?”

“Finally!” He turned to his brothers, Kara and Jen. “Vince told her, so you don’t have to keep it a secret anymore.”

“You knew? You all knew?”

“Only for like, a month. Vince had to work out a schedule with us for Kelby.” Carrigan kissed his sister’s cheek. “Kara and Jen packed you a bag. Already loaded in the trunk.”

Kara held up her finger. “With a change of clothes in the car so you don’t have to wear that on the plane.”

Fallyn was overwhelmed with the kindness and love her family rallied to show her. She wrapped Carrigan in an unexpected hug. “Thank you, Carri. Thanks for this.”

“Um, you’re welcome? I’m not actually taking you to Italy. That’s all Vince.”

She snuggled into the familiar embrace she was grateful she didn’t have to live without, even though she married the man her brothers had hated. “Thanks for loving me enough to let me go. This is… This finally feels right. The whole thing. I hated being married without all of you.”

Carrigan held his sister tight, knowing no matter what choices she made in life, he could never turn his back on her again. “We all love you, too. We want you to have a good life, so make sure that you do.”

Fallyn kissed her brothers and her daughter, torn at wanting to relive her honeymoon, but also not sure she was ready to leave her baby.

Killian smiled at Fallyn as he held the sleeping darling he adored. “Don’t worry about a thing. Go have fun. Be young. Promise me you’ll be happy.”

Fallyn kissed Killian’s cheek one more time. “I promise.”

Fallyn turned to her husband, who was waiting with a wide smile, ready to whisk her away. It was then Fallyn realized how very possible a lifetime of happiness would be with Vince by her side.

M
olly Luco turned right
on a red, ignoring the “No Turn On Red” sign. The cops never paid attention to the details; they kept their focus on actual crime for the most part. Molly was grateful for the understaffed law enforcement department that night.

Stupid rain,
she thought as she squinted at her windshield. The wiper blade on her side needed to be replaced. Yet another thing to tend to on her never-ending list. It hardly seemed fair. The list only grew because there were two people adding to it, and only she ever crossed things off.

She wished she did not have to hurry, but whenever she got the call from Johnny, he allotted her twenty minutes before putting her brother in a cab. If cab fare showed up on Kyle’s credit card, their parents would know she was dropping the ball on looking after Kyle. That was the agreement she made when she moved back home. Living rent-free was nice, but the few years of Kyle-free existence before she moved back in were unparalleled.

Molly parked in the fourth row of cars; the first three were only filled up when the universe knew she would have to brave inclement weather. Grinding her teeth, she pulled her thin coat up over her head and ran to the bar, squealing as the icy rain pelted her thinned frame like mini bullets.

“I’m here, Johnny!” she announced, shoulder-length black hair dripping onto the bar. Molly looked around as she shivered, but did not see her brother lounging in his usual booth. She ignored the barflies and loud music. She ignored the patrons trying to let loose and relax on their thank-God-it’s-Friday. She ignored the looks at her disheveled state and the two appreciative glances from the non-gentlemen challenging each other at the dart board to see who had the biggest penis. “Johnny!” she called again, interrupting him mid-flirt. “Where’s Kyle? I made it in,” she double-checked the clock on the wall, “sixteen minutes this time.”

Johnny excused himself begrudgingly from the tight low-cut shirt who had the same shade of sandy blonde hair as he did. “I left you a message, Moll.”

Molly pulled out her phone and checked it. Sure enough, one missed call blinked at her, mocking with its “I told you so”. She looked up at him, scrunching her nose. “What did it say?” A cloud of panic fluttered in her chest. “You didn’t let him drive, did you?”

Johnny cocked his head to the side and raised an eyebrow as he doled out three domestic beers. “I’d like to know who you think you’re talking to. Of course I didn’t let him drive. Someone offered to take him home.”

“Who? Kyle doesn’t have sober friends.” When Johnny gave a short snort to her comment, she realized most people would have been exaggerating if they said that. She was not. “Was she at least sober?”

“Not a she.” He poured six shots and slid them over to a gaggle of girls, who giggled at their daring as they downed the fiery liquid. “It was some guy.” Johnny sighed, and then spoke to stave off Molly’s ensuing questions. “Look around, Moll. It’s Friday night, so I’m pretty slammed. I gave you my courtesy call. This is the part where you say ‘thank you’ and ‘you’re so amazing, Johnny’. I also accept non-verbal gratitude.” He gave her a purposefully smarmy wink that, sure enough, got the predicted rise out of her.

“Thanks for the bare minimum, Johnny.” Molly pretended to throw up on the bar. “Yep. Gag reflex still works. Tried to picture that was you flirting for a second with that wink.” She walked down to the blonde in the tight shirt, slapped her hand on the woman’s shoulder and spoke so loud, the gaggle could hear her clearly over the music and commotion. “Tip your bartender good tonight, girls. He’s battling VD, and his insurance doesn’t cover much.”

Johnny threw up his hands to Molly’s look of vindictive pleasure. He tossed the dirty bar rag at her upturned nose, and then caught it when she whipped it back at him. “I don’t have VD,” he assured the blonde, who was already fishing around in her purse for cash to pay down her tab. “I don’t.” He turned and glared at the girl he had known since junior high. “Thanks a lot, Moll.”

“Anytime, sweetheart.” She returned his middle finger with an innocent smirk, tipping her imaginary hat to him before going back out into the worst storm of the year.