Actually, what she said was “Wah con torah” with a mouth completely stuffed with cake. Once she had swallowed, she clarified what she meant. “The rehearsal dinner is tonight. We need to go change soon so we aren’t late.”
I blew out a sigh. “And we can’t investigate tomorrow because of the wedding. Okay, no biggy, we’ll get through that then start first thing Sunday. Who knows? Maybe if we’re lucky, we’ll just randomly run into the killer before then. Otherwise I have some ideas. But no point in waiting.”
I drank the signaling spell and activated it while bracing for sneezes, but nothing came. “Will I need the magic to work on me to sense it?”
“Can you sense magic only when a spell is active on you?”
I shook my head. “No, anywhere near me is good enough. Like I can just sniff this and recognize Beth’s signature.” I gestured to the cake in front of Vanessa, or rather, the sprinkling of crumbs on an otherwise empty plate.
“That should be good enough, then.”
My stomach churned, and I grabbed it dramatically. The stool softener seemed to be fully active. “I wish you had told me sooner.” I stood and ran for the bathroom.
Beth chuckled and called after me, “Next time you should ask these questions ahead of time.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Even though we had to race back to change, we still made it to the rehearsal five minutes early. No one else had arrived yet, with the exception of Vin, who was taking swigs from a hip flask, and Auntie Ann, who was giving him looks but kept her mouth shut.
I smoothed down my dark-blue dress. The racerback, high neck, and short skirt was different than my normal style, but Auntie Ann had picked out dresses for us. Vanessa had a red version with cap sleeves but a much shorter skirt. Combined with our hair, we looked ready to break hearts and rules.
When Tiffany finally entered thirty minutes late, she did a double take before stomping over.
“Your hair!”
I cocked my head and jabbed a finger in her direction. “I nearly died, and Vanessa was hardly in any better shape. Our options were going bald or this. And yes, we are fine. Thank you for asking. I just know you were so concerned.”
She lost some of her steam and seemed genuinely out of words. Apparently forgetting to ask about her wedding party after they were in the hospital was too much of a breach of etiquette even for her.
Her mother, Mixie, swooped up to save her hapless daughter. “We were all so concerned and were going to visit and send flowers, but Ann insisted that you both needed your rest.”
I gave the statement fifty-fifty odds of being the truth versus a lie. Auntie Ann very well might have said that, knowing that a visit from Tiffany was not what any of us wanted, but if that was the case, then why was Tiffany so caught off guard? Either way, it seemed that the explosion was working in our favor.
“Both of you girls look just… so unique!” Mixie preened, carefully picking her words. She passed us a business card for Lexine at the salon we had visited earlier. Mixie snapped her purse shut. “Don’t forget to be here at nine a.m. It’s a human place, so behave.” She shuddered at the thought of humans. “I’ll bring the bridesmaid dresses. I was able to convince them to fit us in tomorrow. They are highly recommended, and I hope they can do something with your hair.”
Mixie grabbed Tiffany roughly by the arm and dragged her off.
The ceremony and reception were at the Golden Pyramid Casino. I had expected a church or maybe some high-end country club, but apparently the budget for the wedding had gotten so large that Olivia had to step up. Her wedding gift was a venue, and considering that she hadn’t been sucked into any other wedding drama, it was probably worth it.
There was something that I needed to talk to Olivia about, but I couldn’t think of what. It was probably related to Legacy. She would want an update on what we had learned, but we could do that after the wedding, assuming we all survived.
My luck was definitely starting to turn. Once everyone arrived, we did one quick run-through before Auntie Ann put down her foot that Vanessa and I were still recovering and we should sit and watch instead of standing endlessly. That was why we were able to sit in the back row and whisper to each other while everyone else ran through the wedding another dozen times.
And though I had originally thought Auntie Ann was being dramatic, after about forty-five minutes, I was feeling every injury I had sustained, even though I was doing little more than sitting and snarking.
Tiffany stomped down the aisle in her seven-inch-high white platform heels covered in seed pearls and rhinestones. “One last time,” she shouted over her shoulder like a drill sergeant.
An audible groan rose from everyone, even Mixie, as they slowly trailed down the aisle.
I sank down in my seat, fanning my face with the fifteen-page instruction packet Tiffany had given me to remind us of our duties. I tried to look weak and pitiful. I wasn’t sure why I couldn’t even look at the marshal as he passed.
I wasn’t sure if it was the fact that he was Thomas’s father, or maybe it was the fact that he was more crooked than a familiar’s hind leg, but my unease was at an all-time high.
Victor Bruno and Ben Ricci, Thomas’s half brother, were ushers and would help seat anyone that Tiffany deemed important. Marshal Felix Ricci would walk Tiffany down the aisle then sit with the other two men. I still thought it was so weird that they were included in the wedding when neither Tiffany nor Vin were close with them. They all wore black pants and shiny black shoes. Perhaps they got some kind of discount for buying in bulk. As Victor and Ben passed, they turned to look at me. My skin crawled in response.
I tried to dig into my feelings, needing to understand why I was so unsettled, and finally decided that it related to the explosion. Of course I would have some mental aftereffects, even if my physical injuries were healing up faster than I expected, due in part to the best magical care available.
I was vulnerable, and like a hurt animal, I was hiding from those who I knew had the power and mentality to hurt me if they so chose. It made sense, even if I hated to admit it. In a few days, I would be back to my normal self and wouldn’t hide like an injured animal licking its wounds. Victor’s familiar, a bedraggled old orange cat that had almost killed me once when I was in rat form, wandered by.
Suddenly I sneezed, loudly, and everyone turned. The weight of the stares pressed me into my chair. My eyes were wide. Was it the detection spell?
Vanessa grabbed my arm hard as I sneezed again. Seeing that I was doing nothing more interesting than spraying the back of the chairs with snot, the wedding party continued their walk out into the hallway.
That was when I saw the florist bringing in huge bouquets, and I gave a sigh of relief. “It’s okay. I’m allergic to birds of paradise.” I gestured to the flowers and covered my mouth as I erupted into another bout of sneezing, though nothing anywhere as violent as they had been in the afternoon, which should have told me that it wasn’t the same situation.
“Where is the dinner? I need to get out of here.” I started to scoot past Vanessa as I stifled another sneeze.
She stood suddenly, and I sneezed on the back of her neck.
“Ew, gross.” She mopped at the spittle she had spread like a cowl around her neck. “I’m going with you.”
Once we got out into the hallway and made our excuses to Auntie Ann, we headed toward Little Italy, the restaurant where the rehearsal dinner was being held. It used to be Isadora’s Ristorante, but after the namesake went on a killing spree, they decided a rebranding was necessary.
I sneezed again, and my eyes started to run. Dabbing at them with my fingertips, I searched for a bathroom. I knew that somewhere along the way was a restroom. “Why don’t you go ahead and get us some drinks? I’m going to touch up my makeup.” I inhaled to sneeze then paused when nothing came. “I think I’m over—” A huge sneeze erupted and cleaned out the rest of my nasal system.
Vanessa grabbed my arm as I almost fell
straight back on my butt. “You sure?”
I sniffed, but the tickle in my nose was gone. “I’m fine, but how about you get me a double?”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
The bathroom was a funny shape and tucked back in a boring corner of the casino. I used it when I wanted a bit of privacy, since I had never run into anyone else there. As I walked in, there was a sink and mirror, which I used to touch up my eye makeup, then I used a damp paper towel to wash my neck and chest. The cool water felt refreshing.
To the left of the sink was a bank of three toilets, then an aisle that turned to the right, then again, and there was one more stall, which I entered. The extra privacy was nice, and I didn’t rush myself. I was startled when the door to the restroom flew open, loudly slamming into the wall.
I was hit instantly with a flood of emotions coming from the intruder, including lust and deceit. On instinct, I checked that my stall door was locked and lifted my legs off the ground.
Heels clacked down the aisle then around the corner in front of my stall. I caught a flash of high-heeled platforms covered in seed pearls and rhinestones. There was a pause and rustling of clothing before the stomping retreated.
Now that she was sure the bathroom was empty, the door clanged open, and a second set of shoes entered. They started speaking in hushed tones that didn’t clearly carry down to me even when I held my breath.
A husky male voice exchanged quick dialogue with a female voice that I couldn’t convince myself I recognized. But how many other people were in the casino with those exact shoes? It had to be her.
The voices stopped and were replaced by the noise of… something? Clothes rumpling and wet sloppy smacks, like eating. A little husky moan, and I gasped. Kissing, the two people were making out. Was it Vin and Tiffany catching a private moment together? And exactly how private was this moment going to be? I threw up my shields, firmly blocking out all emotions. I also covered my ears, not wanting to hear any more.
Why in the world had I hidden that I was here? I should have let her see that I was in here, and they could have found another place. My instinct had steered me wrong.
I checked my phone as the minutes passed by, but luckily the noises got no more intense until finally Tiffany, between panting breaths, spoke, this time loud enough for me to hear. “I need to get to the dinner. Don’t come for at least thirty minutes. Okay?”
There was a grunt in reply, lost among the slamming bathroom door. I held my breath and strained to listen. I hadn’t been able to clearly hear if both of them had left at the same time. In the meantime, I felt relief for Vin.
After seeing Tiffany with the stripper, I had worried that maybe she wasn’t going to be faithful, but them sneaking some alone time the night before their wedding was pretty romantic. It would have been a lot more romantic if I hadn’t overheard it, but that wasn’t really their fault.
I sorted through my feelings, expecting to feel some regret over what could have been with Vin, but found nothing. Maybe I was really over it.
I sorted myself out and carefully opened the door to the stall. Peering around the corner, I found the rest of the bathroom empty. Who knows what I would have done if one of them had still been standing there? I washed my hands and double-checked my makeup then raced across the casino to the dinner.
I was deep in thought as I crossed by the blackjack tables when, like a shock of static electricity, I knew that someone was watching me. I stopped so suddenly that a trio of twentysomethings ran into the back of me. After a few tangled moments, I sent them on their way with my apologies and a drink dribbled on my forearm.
Looking around, I landed on Thomas’s violet eyes, and the noise in the casino stopped. Or at least I no longer heard the cheers from the craps tables or the dancing songs of the slot machines. Everything dimmed from my awareness but him.
I didn’t remember moving or seeing him move, but suddenly we were less than a foot apart, the tension between us sizzling the air.
“It’s so good to see you,” he said, breaking the moment, and we fell into each other’s arms.
The press of his body against mine sent waves of heat through every limb and circling down into my center. I was lost in the feel of his body against mine and the smell of him in my lungs.
He rubbed his face against the short buzz cut on the side of my hair. He kissed my forehead and stepped back enough to study my face.
I gestured to myself. “You heard about…?”
“Yes, and I knew you were safe, otherwise I would have rushed over, but I knew.” He wrapped his arms around me again and pulled me in close, stroking my back and nuzzling my neck.
I leaned into him more before hearing giggling behind me and realizing that we were still in the middle of the casino. I stepped back. “That bracelet you gave me is probably the only reason I made it.”
He grabbed my left hand and inspected my wrist then lifted my hand to his mouth and placed a kiss on my palm. “That is why I gave it to you, though I had no idea you would actually need it. If I ever find out who did that…” He let the threat hang in the air.
I shivered. I had never heard his tone so cold. I really believed that he would kill the perpetrator himself rather than turn them over to his father. I brushed aside the thought. “Were you just here gambling, or did you come to see me?”
“I heard about the rehearsal and dinner and knew I could run into you. I had a whole plan to bribe a server to bring you a note to meet me, but this is much easier. I can’t believe that I am finally back in Rambler and haven’t been able to see you more. My heart yearns to be near you. Don’t you feel the same?”
I sighed and twined my fingers through his. I hadn’t thought of him as much as normal, but near-death experiences would do that. And now that I was near him, I couldn’t imagine leaving. It was like stepping into a warm cabin with a fire and hot bath after freezing in the cold for an eternity. I had become used to the cold, the loneliness, the aching, but now I was basking in the warmth of Thomas and felt I could never face leaving him.
I grabbed his other hand and smiled up at him. Part of me wondered where these feelings had come from so suddenly, but maybe that was falling in love. Maybe this was what I had waited a lifetime for, and nearly dying had changed everything.
“It’s been a rough week, but I made some decisions.”
“Any chance that one of those decisions was a new haircut? I think it’s beautiful on you.”
“Yes, a new haircut, new attitude, new everything. I’m taking control of my life. I want to try new things, have a new approach. I have been passive for far too long.”
“I like the sound of that. Any chance that you are looking for a new boyfriend?”
“Maybe.” I stretched out the two syllables in a singsong tone. “But here’s the thing. I know we have both been hiding things, and I need someone I can trust… with everything. Not right away but eventually. We have to be honest with each other.” I hadn’t really decided any of this until I was already speaking, but it felt right. New me, new opportunities. I still didn’t know what being a Monza meant when it came to relationships, but since Colleen was not going to mentor me, then it was up to me to figure it out. I was ready to take some risks, and that included Thomas.
Genuine surprise crossed his face then warmth as he pulled me into a hug. “I will drop everything if you will go on a date with me.”
“How about we start with the wedding tomorrow?”
“I would love to escort you. Plus, who turns down a free meal with cake?” He folded me into another hug. “You aren’t just teasing me, are you?”
“Maybe a little, but not about the wedding.”
He kissed my ear and whispered, “I’ve never been happier.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Little Italy wasn’t just teeming with people but more like overflowing. I pressed through the crowds around each table, at first thinking that it was just the Friday evening rush until I noticed that no one was seated, a
nd sprinkled evenly throughout were the people from the bridal party. I finally spotted Vanessa talking to Raymond Marcus, one of Vin’s best friends and Vanessa’s on-again, off-again crush.
“Hey, Raymond, what are you doing here?” I accepted the drink that Vanessa held out to me and took a long swig to steady my nerves.
“Moral support for the groom. Originally, I was going to be in the wedding, but then Tiffany didn’t think we were being thankful enough. Can you believe that? Thankful! She really is a… let’s just say a piece of work.” He chugged his beer. “Looks like everyone was invited tonight. Why not just do the vows now and call it a day?”
Vanessa ran a hand through her short locks and giggled. She tipped her chin down and tilted her head to the right with a slight pout on her lips, a look she had been practicing in the mirror on the drive over. “I wish. Except then when would we have our dance?” She batted her eyes at him.
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at her sugary flirting. I hadn’t been any better with Thomas. My face heated up at the memories.
Vanessa caught sight of my face. “What’s wrong, Ella? You’ve gone all red.”
“Oh, nothing, Vanessa. It’s just really hot in here. So, when’s dinner?” I fanned my face, wishing the blush down.
Vanessa’s mouth pursed into a little smile, and she gave me a knowing look. “They’re starting soon. It was delayed because Tiffany disappeared. She only reappeared like five minutes ago.”
I smirked. “Let me guess, Vin came back a few minutes after her?”
Vanessa and Raymond exchanged a look, then Raymond answered. “Back from where? He’s been here the whole time. I met him at the rehearsal and walked over with him. Speaking of which, he owes me a beer. Catch you later, sweetie.” The last bit was just for Vanessa.
She watched him leave. “Mmm. He is so hot.”
I barely heard her, having gone cold all over. “Are you sure he wasn’t gone at all? Like maybe after they arrived, he took off for a bit?”
“No. He was talking with Raymond until Tiffany came in and dragged him off. That’s when I got my shot at Raymond. He still owes me a kiss from a bet a few years ago. Would it be desperate of me to bring that up?” She turned to face me. “What’s wrong? Are you feeling sick again? Let me get you a chair.”
Nice Day for a Mage Wedding: Casino Witch Mysteries 4 Page 17