by Jake Biondi
Slowly, guests arrived at the penthouse for the festivities. As they entered, they marveled at the penthouse and enjoyed champagne that was being distributed by servers dressed in tuxedos. Brian Felder of Whiskey & Cherries sat at the grand piano providing soft background music for the party.
“The place looks incredible,” Gino told Adam Miranda. “You really exceeded expectations. Justin is going to flip when he sees it.”
Adam smiled and said, “I’m so glad you like it. I wanted it to be the perfect backdrop for your special event.”
“Mission accomplished,” Gino said, hugging Adam. “Thanks again.”
Gino walked away from Adam to say hello to Brian at the piano.
“Thanks for coming,” Gino said.
“Are you kidding? Thanks for inviting me back…and the girls, too,” Brian replied warmly. “This is an honor.”
“Well, an event wouldn’t be the same without you here. We are very grateful.”
“Meredith and Danielle should be here shortly,” Brian said of the other two members of the Whiskey & Cherries trio. “They’re looking forward to it.”
“We are, too. Is Chadwick here yet?”
“I think he’s setting up on the terrace,” Brian explained.
“Great. Do you need anything? More champagne?”
“I’m good,” Brian said. “Don’t worry about us, it’s your big day.”
“Thanks,” Gino said, smiling and walking away from the piano and heading out to the terrace to check on Chadwick Stadt.
As he walked, he passed Keith Colgan and Michael Martinez, both dressed handsomely in their tuxedos as all the male guests were.
“I’m worried about him,” Keith said.
“Hugo? Me, too. I tried to reach Mateo this morning, but he didn’t answer.”
“All these reporters downstairs are waiting to jump on him as soon as he arrives. Maybe Gino can get him in through another entrance?”
“That’s a good idea.” Michael added, “It’s sweet of you to worry about my nephew so much. I didn’t realize you knew Hugo that well.”
“I don’t, but can you imagine what he is going through right now? At least he has Jensen, Mateo, and you for support.”
“Well, Jensen and me for sure. I’m not sure how Mateo is going to handle this news,” Michael said. “I just can’t understand who would do something like this to him? He’s such a nice kid. Maybe a homophobic member of his team?”
“I have an idea…”
“You do? Who?”
Before Keith could answer, Michael’s phone began to ring. He removed it from his coat pocket and answered it.
He stepped over to a corner of the room to take the call. When it ended, he returned the phone to his coat pocket and walked back to Keith.
“I have to go.”
“Go? But the wedding will be starting soon,” Keith stated.
“I’m sorry, but we just got a lead on the Ben Carson murder case and the plane crash. Someone called in a tip.” Michael kissed Keith. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
Michael rushed out of the room.
Keith grabbed another glass of champagne as a server walked by and then found Derek, who was standing with David Ciancio.
“Hey, guys,” Keith said. “Derek, I have a question. Do you think you could talk to Gino about letting Cole and Hugo into the building through a back entrance? There are so many reporters down there waiting to cover Cole on his wedding day and to jump on Hugo because of this morning’s article. I just think it would be better if they could both somehow avoid that mess.”
“You’re right,” Derek agreed. “That’s actually a really good idea.”
“I’ll talk to him,” David said. “You have guests to greet.”
“Thanks,” Derek stated as David walked away toward Gino. “Where’s Michael?”
“He had to leave. He just got called to the station because they have a lead on Ben’s murder and the crash.”
“Oh, wow. Maybe they’ll finally catch the son-of-a-bitch who did that to us.”
“Fingers crossed,” Keith said.
Across the room, Logan and Jesse were standing with Cole’s mother, Maggie O’Brien near the terrace entrance.
“You look amazing,” Jesse told Maggie. “I haven’t seen you looking this good in…I can’t remember when.”
“That’s sweet of you to say,” Maggie said. “I wanted to make sure I looked good for Cole. It’s a big day for him.”
“He’s so glad you’re here,” Logan added. “We all are.”
“I’m eager to see your mother,” Maggie said to Jesse. “Where is she?”
“I’m not sure,” Jesse said. “I made all the arrangements for her to arrive this morning and now I haven’t been able to reach her. And the ceremony is almost about to start.”
“I’m sure she’ll be here.”
“I’m going to try to reach her again,” Jesse said. “Excuse me.”
As Jesse walked away to call his mother, Derek approached Maggie and Logan.
“It’s so great to have you here,” Derek said, kissing Maggie on the cheek.
“Thank you for making all my travel arrangements,” Maggie told Derek. “You are as handsome in person as Cole said.”
“He’s the handsome one,” Derek declared. “He just arrived, actually. He and Justin are hiding upstairs. They don’t want to see their grooms until the ceremony, I guess.”
“That’s a good tradition,” Maggie said. “Can I see him?”
“Of course. I’ll take you up,” Derek stated, offering Maggie his arm. She took it and Derek walked her toward the stairwell.
Alone, Logan looked through the guests and located Max Taylor standing at one of the bars. He navigated his way through the crowd to talk with him.
“You look like you’ve had enough to drink already,” Logan told Max.
“Isn’t that what I used to tell you?”
Logan smiled. “Yes. Seems like the roles have reversed today.”
“I’m fine,” Max insisted.
“Well, you may want to cool it so that you can make it through the ceremony.”
“Don’t worry about me, Logan. I’m just fine,” Max said, taking his drink and walking away from Logan and the bar.
Upstairs, Maggie opened the door to the room where Cole and Justin were talking.
“Is it okay if I come in?” Maggie asked quietly.
Cole rushed over to her. “Mom!” He threw his arms around her and hugged her tight. “You made it.”
“You think I’d miss my baby boy’s wedding day? Not even cancer could stop me from doing that.”
“You must be Mrs. O’Brien,” Justin said, reaching out to take her hand. “I’m Justin Mancini, Derek’s brother.”
“Very nice to meet you,” Maggie stated. “God, you Mancinis are all so handsome.”
“Thank you,” Justin said with a smile. “Why don’t I give you two a few minutes alone?”
“Congratulations to you, too,” Maggie told Justin as he left the room and closed the door behind him. Then she turned to her son. “Look at you. All grown up. What a fine man you have become.”
“I love you, Mom.”
“I love you, too, Cole. I met Derek downstairs. He seems as wonderful as you described him.”
“He’s perfect for me and makes me really happy.”
Maggie began to cry. “My son is getting married today…”
“Aw, Mom, please don’t cry. I’m nervous enough as it is today.”
Maggie hugged her son. “Don’t be nervous. Today is a wonderful day and everything is going to be perfect. You’ll see.”
“Now that you’re here…”
“I have something for you,” Maggie said as he reached into her small purse. She pulled out a watch and placed it into Cole’s hand. “It was your father’s. He wore it on the day that we got married and he always said he wanted you to wear it on your wedding day.”
“He probably didn’t realize t
hat I’d be marrying a man.”
“He loved you very much, Cole, just as I do.”
Cole gazed at the watch. “Thanks, Mom.” He put on the watch. “It’s perfect.”
“He’d be so proud of you. Now you have something of his to remind you of that.”
Cole hugged Maggie. “Thank you so much…for everything.”
“I better get downstairs,” she said. “Savor every minute of today. It’ll go quickly.”
Cole smiled. “I will.”
Maggie touched her son’s cheek and then left the room.
Cole looked down at the watch, then into the mirror and adjusted his bow tie.
Across the hall, Gino entered his bedroom. As he stepped inside, he closed the door and walked toward the dresser. Suddenly, he felt himself being grabbed from behind. A cloth was shoved into his face as he struggled to get free from the person’s firm grip. He tried to turn his head from side to side to avoid the cloth, but his efforts were futile. After breathing in the fumes from the cloth, Gino passed out and his unconscious body fell to the floor.
As Maggie descended the main staircase to the first floor, she passed Hugo and Jensen standing at the foot of the stairs. Keith rushed over to them.
“Did you make it in okay? I asked them to take you in a back way.”
“Thanks, Keith,” Hugo said. “I’m okay.”
“Physically anyway,” Jensen added. “He’s so upset.”
“Understandably,” Keith stated. “Is there anything I can do?”
“I need to talk to my uncle.”
“He’s not here. He got called away to the station for a case. He said he’d be back as soon as possible.”
“Mateo threw him out of the house,” Jensen told Keith.
“What? Because of the article?”
“It’s okay,” Hugo said. “I can stay with my uncle.”
“You can stay with me, too,” Jensen declared. “Emmett won’t have a problem with it, I’m sure.”
“This is so horrible. It’s Rachel, isn’t it? Did something happen?”
Jensen looked at Keith. “He tried to take her down alone.”
“I thought we agreed to do this together,” Keith said. “It’s too dangerous alone.”
“I know you warned me, but I thought I could take care of her myself.”
“What did you do?”
“I told her to leave town, to leave my friends and family alone. She refused.”
“No surprise there,” Keith said. “Dammit, Hugo, you need to listen.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Now look what she’s done.”
“I’ll kill the bitch,” Jensen said angrily. “She has crossed the line.”
“Not if I get to her first. She’s crossed the line more times than we can count,” Keith said. “We need to be smart about this, though.”
“She won’t stop until we stop her,” Jensen stated. “We can’t waste time. God knows what she will do next.”
“Wait a minute,” Keith cautioned. “We can’t rush into anything. Just take a deep breath. There’s nothing we can do today, so let’s just wait and think our next move through carefully.”
On the terrace, Patrick Provenzano and Emmett stood looking out over the lake.
“They have the best view up here,” Emmett said. “You can see the lake and Navy Pier. And if you turn that way, you can see the entire city.”
“It’s like God’s view,” Patrick said.
Emmett pulled Patrick close and kissed him. “I’m glad you’re here with me today.”
“I’m glad I am, too,” Patrick stated. “I know you’re going to do such an amazing job with the ceremony.”
Emmett held out his hand to show Patrick. “I’m a bit nervous and shaky.”
Patrick hugged Emmett tightly. “Don’t be. You’ll do great.”
Derek walked over to them.
“We are about ready to start. Adam just asked people to take their seats.”
“Great,” Emmett replied. “This is it.”
David walked over to the three men.
“Derek, I’m glad I caught you. I have a great surprise for you. I just talked to my friend at the Waldorf, the guests booked for the presidential suite canceled so it’s yours and Cole’s for tonight. I already let Cole know.”
“Fantastic. Thank you.”
“You’ve got the largest suite in the whole hotel. Enjoy it.”
Derek hugged David. “Thanks so much, brother. Come on, let’s get this show on the road.”
As guests took their seats for the ceremony out on the terrace, Rob discretely arrived in the pantry. Dressed in a tuxedo like the rest of the servers and wearing his prosthetic beard and mustache, he intermingled with the other servers who were preparing appetizer trays for the post-ceremony cocktail hour.
Outside on the terrace, Chadwick Stadt, accompanied by Brian Felder on the piano, sang the song that Adam had selected for the opening of the ceremony while the guests stood to welcome the grooms. As Chadwick sang, Justin and Cole entered the terrace from one side and Derek and Gino entered from the other. They walked toward the center where Emmett was standing. Justin took his place next to Gino and Cole took his place next to Derek. Best men Jesse and David stood to the sides of the couples, Jesse close to Cole and David close to Gino. As the song concluded, the guests sat down and Emmett greeted everyone.
“I would like to welcome all of you, the friends and family of these four special men, to this extraordinary celebration of love. I would especially like to welcome Maggie O’Brien, Cole’s beautiful mother, who traveled here to celebrate this special day with her son. I am honored to be here today not only as best man for both of my brothers, but as minister officiating over these two couples’ marriages. Both couples have overcome great odds to be standing before you today and we all come together to witness and celebrate their love. At this time, I would like to invite Jesse Morgan, best man of Cole O’Brien, to step forward and offer our first reading.”
As Jesse stepped forward and read his verse, Rob stepped out onto the terrace behind the seated guests. His eyes focused on Cole as the ceremony progressed.
Emmett next invited David to step forward to offer the second reading.
While David read his verse, Michael returned to the penthouse accompanied by two policemen in uniform. They walked over to one set of terrace doors and Michael looked out to see how the guests were seated.
“Wait here,” he told the officers and stepped out onto the terrace. Walking quietly over to Camille Ciancio, Michael asked her to step back inside with him. As she stood up to honor his request, Michael and Keith exchanged glances.
Once inside, Camille grew angry, barking at Michael.
“What is the meaning of this? My nephew is getting married. What could possibly be so important that it couldn’t wait?”
“We have some questions to ask you, Ms. Ciancio.”
“Questions? About what?”
“Let’s go into the library where it’s a bit more private,” Michael suggested as he ushered Camille and the officers out of the main room and into the penthouse library.
Michael handed Camille a photo of Ben Donovan. “Do you know this man?”
“I’ve never seen him before in my life,” Camille stated. “Why?”
“We have reason to believe otherwise,” Michael stated.
He reached out and took a plastic evidence bag from one of the officers. He showed its contents to Camille. “What about this earring?”
“What about it?”
“Is it yours?”
Camille laughed. “I’d never wear anything so tacky.”
“That’s funny since we found it in your hotel room.”
“My hotel room?”
“If it’s not yours, any idea how it got there?”
“I have no idea.”
“Ms. Ciancio, maybe it’s time you started telling us the truth.”
“I am telling you the truth.”
�
�We received a tip about you this morning and, when we checked it out, it turned out to be true.”
“What tip?” she asked nervously.
“We searched your hotel room and found this earring as well as a gun in your bureau.”
“A gun?”
“Forensics tested the gun and it turns out to be the exact same gun that was used to murder the man in that photo, Ben Donovan...a man you claim never to have met.”
“Because I haven’t, Commander. I have never seen that man.”
“We found that earring in the motel room in which Mr. Donovan was killed. Today we found the matching earring in your hotel room.”
“But it’s not mine, I’m telling you.”
“Mr. Donovan was responsible for the plane crash that killed your brother Carlo and Tyler Bennett.”
“Oh, my God. How do you know?”
“We have reason to believe that he was not working alone. You see, Mr. Donovan had nothing apparent to gain from that crash. But you did.”
“That’s ridiculous. What would I have to gain from that wreck?”
“Money. Power. Isn’t it true that because of your brother’s and your nephew’s deaths, you inherited a great deal of wealth, namely, controlling interest in Ciancio International?”
“That is true, but--”
“And we also have some witnesses with some interesting information. Ms. Ciancio, I am placing you under arrest for the murder of Ben Donovan and the destruction of the Ciancio jet.”
“Arresting me? You can’t do that.”
Michael instructed the officers, “Cuff her.”
“Cuff me? You can’t cuff me. I’m innocent. I tell you, I’m innocent.”
“You have the right to remain silent…” Michael continued reading Camille her rights as the officers cuffed her hands behind her back.
“You can’t do this to me,” Camille yelled. “You cannot do this!”