What Happens in Vegas

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

****************

KATE

****************

The mood is light as we momentarily forget about James and his threat, or the fact that we are wanting to get the mafia involved to rid him from our lives. Instead we sit around laughing at stories of Chase's childhood. I stay snuggled in Chases lap, laughing at the embarrassingly awkward teen years Chase experienced, my mind going to what's happening between Chase and I. 

Only a week ago we were at each other's throats. The sexual tension was always there, and I won't deny having feelings for him, but we were the furthest from a relationship you could get. And now? Well, I guess I'm trying to figure out what we are. We're married, obviously, but how do we go from perfect strangers to happily married in a matter of weeks? There's no stepping stones in our relationship, no first date, no making our relationship official with the mandatory Facebook relationship status update. No deciding to live together, getting engaged then married. No, it's just straight into happily married and I'm trying to get my head around it. Not that I'd change anything, it's just unconventional. But that's us.

At just after three in the morning a knock at the door stops all conversation. We look at each other nervously, for a moment in time we forgot about James and his threats, or what we were going to do, we were just a happy little family. Mark stands and clears his throat.

"I'll get it." He says. He disappears out of the lounge room and into the foyer. Chase places a kiss on my temple.

"Everything will be ok." He tells me. I simply nod. I know it will be, but being responsible for getting someone hurt or killed is weighing on my mind. Even if he is a horrible human being who has ruined countless lives, knowing I'm instrumental in something happening to him isn't an easy concept to accept.

Mark walks back in followed closely by a tall, lean man who I recognize instantly.

"Alessandro!" I say excitedly. I jump out of Chases lap and wrap Alessandro in a hug causing him to chuckle.

"Hey Kate, been a while." He says with a smile. Of all the Valentino brothers, I'm probably the closest to Alessandro. He's a year older than me, and a bit of a joker. He's the most relaxed of the brothers. Tony has a lot of responsibility on his shoulders and wears that burden heavily. While Luca, well Luca is dark and brooding, and as time goes on he seems to be falling further into darkness. Nicole told me about her best friend Natalie, and what she meant to Luca. While time usually eases the grief that death caused, it seems to be doing the opposite to Luca. "Jesus Kate, what could anyone possibly do to deserve this?!" Alessandro asks. He looks around the horribly painted room and I can't help but laugh. I really do need to get it repainted.

"It was the heat of the moment." I say. Alessandro chuckles and shakes his head. "What are you doing in the states?" I ask.

"Here on business. Tony and Luca are in Italy." He replies. I nod, knowing not to ask more, though it's strange not seeing the three of them together. I can feel eyes on us and I turn towards the others.

"Sorry! Alessandro, this is my husband Chase." I introduce them. Chase stands and shakes Alessandro's hand, although I can see in his eyes that he's wary. "And this is Mark, Ryder and Verity." I continue. Alessandro shakes each of their hands and I see Verity check him out. I smirk at her when she realizes she has been caught and she gives me the death glare making me snigger. Alessandro takes a seat in one of the arm chairs and I sit next to Chase who places a possessive arm around my waist.

"So what's going on? I only got a message from papa telling me to get over here." He tells me. I chew on my nails, wondering what to say but Chase sits forward and takes the lead.