Falling For You

by Nicole Taylor

Boris turned to Leiliana. “Now, it’s just you and me, sweetheart.”

  He roughly pulled her to her feet, and, shoving his face in her hair, he moaned. “Mmm, you smell so good. I’m going to have fun with you.”

  Leiliana almost gagged with repulsion. Suddenly she remembered what Gabriel had taught her. She jerked her knee up between Boris’ legs with all her might.

  The man howled in pain and dropped to his knees, clutching his groin. Leiliana turned and bolted for the door. Halfway across the room, she slid down in the slimy water and went skating across the floor. Her bound wrist made it difficult to get to her feet. She kept twisting her hands and felt the rope come loose. With a final tug, she got it off her wrists. She quickly bounced to her feet and sprinted towards the door. She knew she didn’t have much time before Boris recovered from the blow she had dealt him. At last, she reached it, grasped the handle and tugged.

  And nothing.

  The door did not budge.

  Leiliana yanked it again and again.

  Then she heard a harsh cackle behind her.

  “You think that we are stupid enough to leave that door unlocked?” Boris said.

  She then realized to her horror that the door was not stiff. It was locked. It was a double cylinder deadbolt that required a key to open.

  Leiliana felt despair wash over her. She had been so close to escaping. She slumped against the door in defeat.

  “Now, get back over here!” Boris screamed with rage. “I was going to be gentle with you. But no more. I will make you pay for what you just did to me. But first things first. You will call your father and tell him that I have you. Not Lebedev. He will have the money delivered to a bank account I specify, or you will die.”

  As Leiliana turned to face the gangster, she saw a sudden movement behind him. One of the windows at the back of the warehouse was now open. And someone was climbing through it. It was Gabriel!

  Leiliana quickly shifted her gaze back to Boris so she wouldn’t arouse his suspicion about what was going on behind his back.

  He motioned with the gun. “I said get over here!” he yelled. “I haven’t got all day.”

  Leiliana realized she had to keep Boris facing her and distracted for as long as possible.

  She twisted her face to look scared and sorrowful, which wasn’t very hard given the circumstances. She called in a loud voice. “I’m so sorry, Boris. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I was just so afraid of what you would do to me.”

  He sneered at her as he licked his lips and began to move towards her. “You didn’t mean to hurt me, eh. We will discuss how you can make it up to me later. But first. Business. Call your father now.”

  “You took away my phone remember?” she said in a tremulous voice.

  “Yes.” He stopped and felt around in his pocket. Just as he retrieved the phone, Gabriel took a flying leap in the air and barreled into him. Boris’ gun and Leiliana's phone went flying in different directions.

  A fight ensued between the two men. They were fighting with their fists, and even though Boris got in a few jabs of his own, it was clear that Gabriel was doing far more damage as he pummeled the man left and right, in his face, his ribs, his stomach. Finally, Gabriel delivered a blow to Boris’ solar plexus, which caused the man to helplessly fall to his knees.

  Then Leiliana saw a movement in the corner of her eye. Sergey was now reaching for his gun.

  “Gabriel, behind you!” she screamed.

  Gabriel lunged for Boris’ gun, aimed it at Sergey, and squeezed the trigger.

  Sergey screamed and dropped the gun as the shot went right through his hand.

  As Boris tried to get to his feet, Gabriel turned around and kicked him in the teeth. The gangster fell back in an awkward position and howled in pain.

  Gabriel ran over to Sergey, grabbed his gun, and then returned to Leiliana.

  “Are you alright? Did they hurt you?” he asked anxiously.

  She shook her head. “No. You got here in time. Oh, Gabriel.” She collapsed against his chest and began to cry as his arms came around her.

  “It’s okay, baby. You’re safe now.”

  ~*~*~*~

  This article appeared in the New York Times two weeks later:

  On September 4th, based on the testimony of Barry Walsh, Alexei Lebedev, his son, Dmitri Lebedev, and 30 Russian mafia affiliates and members were arrested and charged by the FBI, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and NYPD for extortion, racketeering, illegal gambling, firearm offenses, narcotics trafficking, wire fraud, credit card fraud, identity theft, fraud on casino slot machines using electronic hacking devices; based in Atlantic City and Philadelphia, murder-for-hire conspiracy and cigarette trafficking. They were also accused of operating secret and underground gambling dens based in Brooklyn and using violence to those who owed gambling debts, establishing nightclubs to sell drugs, plotting to force women associates to rob male strangers by seducing and drugging them with chloroform. It is believed that 27 of the arrested are connected to the Russian mafia Shulaya clan, which are primarily based in New York. According to the prosecution, the Shulaya also has operations in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Nevada.

  According to law enforcement and the prosecution, this is one of the first federal arrests against a Russian mafia boss and his underboss or co-leader.

  Epilogue

  “O h baby,” Gabriel moaned. He took Leiliana’s face in his hands and kissed her gently on the mouth over and over until things became quite heated. Leiliana’s hands felt hot and restless as they roamed over his back.

  After a while, he pulled back and watched her, his breath coming as though he had just run a race.

  “I can’t wait to marry you,” he said, watching her with immense love and passion.

  “Me too,” she said. “Can you believe we are getting married tomorrow?”

  He smiled and ran the back of his hand along her cheek. “I almost can’t believe it. I’ve wanted this for so many months. There were days I thought of telling you to forget the big wedding and just elope with me. But I held out, and now here we are.”

  She laughed. “I know what you mean. I’m glad we held out, though. It feels good to know my entire family will be here celebrating with us tomorrow. Thanks for coming to see me tonight. I was missing you like crazy.” She wrapped her arms around his waist and placed her head against his chest.

  In keeping with tradition, Gabriel had kept his distance from her all that day. He was staying at the Marker Hotel where all the guests were booked, while she remained in the house on the bluff.

  Several female guests had turned up at the house that evening to attend the bridal shower Nia had secretly planned for Leiliana. They had been in the process of playing games and opening presents when Gabriel called Leiliana and asked her to meet him outside.

  So this was where they were now. Out on the verandah making out while the party continued inside.

  “Honestly, I tried to stay away, but I thought I would go mad if I didn’t at least go to sleep tonight with the taste of your lips on mine,” he said.

  She moaned and leaned into him. “Oh Gabriel.”

  He smiled at her as he stepped back. “I need to leave now. Tomorrow I won’t have to leave. I’ll climb into bed with you, and we won’t be seen for days.”

  She laughed huskily.

  “Gabriel Walsh, is that what you have planned for me?”

  He nodded as he backed away. “Uh-huh. See you, princess. Dream of me because I’ll definitely be dreaming of you.”

  ~*~*~*~

  Leiliana felt as though she would burst with happiness. Today was her big day.

  As the makeup artist put the finishing touches on her face, her mother and sister-in-law walked into the room.

  Both ladies looked amazing. Barbara Lamport wore a slim fitting knee length ivory lace dress with three-quarter sleeves. She had her honey-blond hair pulled back in an elegant twist at the nape of her neck, and the look was accentuated by the stylish h
at on her head.

  Nia Lamport was performing the role of Leiliana’s maid-of-honor. She looked quite exquisite even though she had just given birth to a baby boy, William Lamport V, only two months ago. She wore a Jester red full-length chiffon dress with a crisscross neckline and empire waist that did justice to her post-pregnancy figure. Her curly hair was pinned in an elaborate style that emphasized her high cheekbones and sparkling light brown eyes.

  The make-up artist stepped back and surveyed Leiliana’s face. “You look perfect,” she said.

  Leiliana turned around to look in the mirror and was quite pleased with what she saw. The makeup complimented her hairstyle, which featured cascades of waves flowing down her shoulders.

  “Go raibh maith agat, post iontach (Thank you. Great job),” she said.

  “You speak Gaeilge?” the woman asked in surprise.

  Leiliana smiled. “I’m still learning.”

  “You did very well. Tá fáilte romhat. Gach rath. (You’re welcome. All the best).”

  After the lady had gathered up her things, Nia held out Leiliana’s dress.

  Leiliana slipped off her satin robe.

  “Are the bridesmaids all dressed?” she asked as she stepped into the dress.

  “Yes,” Barbara responded. “Marilyn has just been getting everyone in place.”

  Nia pulled up the zipper to Leiliana’s dress and stood back.

  “Wow! Gabriel is going to pass out when he sees you.”

  Leiliana walked towards the full-length mirror in the bedroom to see for herself. She gasped in delight.

  Nia was right. It was an exquisite dress. Leiliana had fallen in love with its simplicity on sight. It had a tight bodice embroidered with vine-like laces, a subtle sweetheart neckline, off-the-shoulder cap sleeves, and a full A-line skirt of layered tulle. She looked like a princess. In fact, she felt like a princess on her way to meet her prince.

  “Speaking of whom, where’s my groom?” Leiliana asked. “Is he here yet?”

  Nia laughed. “Are you kidding? He got here an hour early. He’s sitting in front, looking as though he’s about to have kittens. A few minutes ago, Liam told me he asked him if you were having second thoughts. He said that you’re never late.”

  “It’s just that the hairstylist took so long with my hair. Come on. Let’s go. My poor baby. I don’t want to keep him waiting.”

  Lady Lamport came up to Leiliana, holding a tiny drawstring velvet bag.

  “What’s in there?” Leiliana asked.

  Barbara opened the bag and took out a pair of hanging yellow diamond earrings.

  “I wore these on my wedding day. I’d be honored if you would wear them today,” she said, smiling wistfully at Leiliana.

  Leiliana hugged her mother. “Oh, mum. I am the one who’s honored that you would entrust me with these earrings. I know that these were dad’s wedding gift to you.”

  Leiliana stood still as her mother put the earrings in her ears. Then she looked in the mirror. “They are breathtaking, and they complement the dress.”

  At that moment, there was a tap on the door, and Marilyn stuck in her head.

  “Wow, you look amazing, Leiliana! All set?”

  Leiliana nodded.

  “Your father is waiting at the bottom of the stairs for you,” Marilyn said as she held out a bouquet consisting of white lilies and red roses. “Everyone is in position. Gabriel just asked for you.”

  “So I heard,” Leiliana’s said with a joyous smile as she took the bouquet. “Let’s get this show on the road then, shall we?”

  Moments later, she descended the stairs slowly, with Nia behind her, adjusting her short train as needed.

  Lord Lamport looked dapper in a black tuxedo with an ivory waistcoat, the same shade of his wife’s dress.

  He held out his arm, and when Leiliana slid hers through it, he leaned down and whispered, “You look beautiful.”

  “Thank you, daddy.”

  “Are you ready for this?”

  “I’ve been waiting all my life for this.”

  They had decided to have the wedding ceremony outdoors. Thanks to Rafferty’s work under Leiliana’s guidance, the lawn, and its environs were a kaleidoscope of colors from a myriad of flowering plants, freshly blooming in Springtime.

  Just under one hundred persons were seated comfortably on the lawn in chairs covered in white and tied back with jester red bows.

  A temporary six-sided wedding gazebo with four lattice walls and window cutouts had been set up on the grounds. It was decorated with red roses and white lilies from the garden and matched Leiliana’s bouquet perfectly.

  As the wedding march began to play, Celtic Canon in D minor with bagpipes, the bridesmaids and groomsmen began to move off. Several of Leiliana’s cousins from both sides of her family were her bridesmaids. They were dressed in lace appliqued jester red off-the-shoulder dresses and held white lily bouquets in their hands. The escorts included her brothers and a couple of Gabriel’s friends, including Sheffield from the boxing club, who stood out with his row of gold teeth.

  This was followed by Nyla and Lola, who dropped rose petals as they walked. They made the cutest flower girls in their matching ivory dresses with jester red sashes.

  Then Leiliana took a deep breath, and she and her father stepped forward.

  ~*~*~*~

  Gabriel sat sweating bullets. He didn’t know it was possible to sweat this much in Spring on a clifftop house, but apparently one could.

  Patrick leaned over. “Relax, she’ll be here.”

  He glanced at his brother and chuckled. “I’m totally relaxed. What are you talking about?”

  Patrick grinned at him and shook his head.

  It was grand that he could be here.

  Ever since Patrick’s conversion, they had started on a journey towards healing. It had helped that Barry Walsh, at Gabriel’s urging, had had a heart to heart with Patrick during which he had asked him to forgive him for not being a better father and assured him of his love and respect.

  Gabriel kept thanking God for the work he was doing in the lives of the two men closest to him. God really was the great restorer.

  Then he heard the Celtic song begin to play. That was the cue, it must mean that Leiliana was coming down the aisle to meet him. As he stood, his heart started thundering in his chest.

  He turned and watched as the four bridesmaids and their escorts came down first, followed by the flower girls. Then there she was. Leiliana.

  As his eyes connected with hers, Gabriel felt almost overcome. She looked so beautiful. So serene. Had there ever been a man who was as in love with a woman as he was with her? He didn’t think that was possible. He swallowed as emotion threatened to unhinge him. To believe that God would bless a sinner like himself with such happiness was unbelievable. He had done nothing to deserve a woman like this. Yet God, in His mercy, had blessed him. He would devote his life to serving God in gratitude for all He had done for him.

  And before Gabriel knew it, Leiliana was before him.

  Her father stepped a few paces back.

  She gave him a shy glance and smile that tugged at his heartstrings.

  Soon they were saying vows. He was promising to have and to hold her, from that day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, as long as they both should live. She was promising the same.

  As they signed the register sealing the bond of their marriage, Nia and Liam sang a song about a love that lasts a lifetime.

  Then the Minister was declaring them husband and wife. When he announced, “You may kiss the bride,” Gabriel didn’t need any encouragement. He gently took his woman, his wife into his arms and kissed her passionately, not caring that they had an audience. She was now his at last, his woman, his wife, his life-long partner.

  They stood to one side and received their guests as they headed into the house to dine for dinner. He hadn’t believed it was possible, but they were able t
o position four large rectangle tables in the room, seating 22 persons each.

  Family and friends greeted them. Lily preceded Barry. She gave Gabriel a hug and a kiss. “You have done very well for yourself, Gabriel,” she said with a smile. “I wish you all the best.”

  It was quite a departure from all the things she had spouted at him on the day his father was pardoned. Gabriel was sure it stemmed from the fact that he had married into such a wealthy, prominent family rather than from anything he had achieved on his own. But he felt too blessed to hold petty grudges. He would let bygones be bygones.

  “Well, Lily, that’s certainly nice of you to say,” he said, genuinely returning her smile.

  Soon the speeches and the toasts were made. He and Leiliana cut the towering gluten-free cake. Then he was taking her in his arms for the first dance.

  He leaned down and whispered in her ears as they glided across the floor to As by Stevie Wonder.

  “I can’t wait to get you alone.”

  She giggled against his shoulder. “You must be reading my mind.”

  He ended by spinning her around and dipping her, much to the delight of the wedding guests who all cheered.

  Then there was the father-daughter dance, and the floor was opened up for all the guests to shake a leg. And shake they did. Until ten p.m. when the music stopped, and guests were escorted by a volley of tour buses back to the hotel.

  ~*~*~*~

  An hour later, the breakdown was completed, and all the staff had departed as well. Marilyn and her team had down an excellent job. No stone had been left unturned. The house was just as spotless as it had been before the ceremony.

  Leiliana was half sitting, half lying on the couch, gazing out the windows into the night. She was waiting on Gabriel. He had seen the last of the staff off and had locked the gate that had been installed after the incident with Lebedev’s men. She knew he would arm the security alarm. The next day they would be leaving to go to Barbados where they would spend their honeymoon, but they would spend tonight, their first night as man and wife, in their home on the bluff.