“Yeah,” he agreed in a tender voice. “We have them to help us, but even if we didn’t, everything would be okay. Justice has the best mother in the world to take care of her.”

Dad and I tried not to listen in to their conversation since it seemed so personal, but with them only a few feet in front of us, that was impossible. When I glanced up at him, I noticed he was having a hard time swallowing, and I realized he was struggling not to cry. I wasn’t sure if it was because I was about to get married or that he was proud of Garret and the father he was becoming—or both.

I gave his arm a little squeeze, and he shot me a trembling smile. It was weird that he was so emotional when I wasn’t even the least bit nervous. My entire life was about to change. Ryan was about to be my husband. In a matter of minutes, I was going to have a different last name. Becoming a Vitucci wasn’t for the faint of heart. It came with a lot of power, but even more responsibilities.

We reached the garden, and then Dad stopped, waiting for the music to start. According to Cali, her stepfather used to throw huge parties out in the garden all the time, so hidden speakers were installed everywhere. While Garret and Cali continued forward, I glanced down at my shoes, simple white sandals that showed off the light pink polish Cali had used to paint my toes earlier.

Just as the music began, I heard a few sniffles and knew it was Mom and Anya. But it was the raspy groan that had my eyes lifting and locking with Ryan’s dark gaze. He looked amazing in his dark suit with his hair pushed back from his face. His strong jaw was clenched, his nostrils flaring as he drank in the sight of me in the borrowed wedding dress like a man dying of thirst.

My lack of nervousness suddenly made sense. What was there to be anxious about when I was only moments away from marrying my best friend? The boy who’d always loved and protected me at all costs. My heart filled with so much happiness that it was too much to contain, and tears filled my eyes.

Ryan saw them, and I watched through blurry eyes as he swallowed with difficulty just as Garret and Cali reached him. My brother stepped up beside him, while Cali moved off to the side, waiting for me, but my gaze stayed locked on my groom.

I felt like I was floating as we finally started to walk forward. There was no aisle, just a cluster of chairs placed off to the side where our parents, Maria, and Guzman sat with a few of the other guards. Mom and Anya sat side by side, clutching hands as Dad took mine from his arm and placed it in Ryan’s.

The tremble in Ryan’s fingers didn’t go unnoticed, but the moment my palm touched his, every muscle in his body seemed to relax. He tugged me into his arms and pressed a kiss to the center of my forehead. With his lips still touching my skin, he growled, “Begin,” to the priest.