TONY: Slow Burn (Raging Fire Book 1) by Kallypso Masters (the false prince TXT) 📕

“Mama’s going to be devastated. Marrying ourselves on the spur of the moment seemed like such a good idea at the time—”

Tony stopped, turned her toward him, and cupped her face in his hands. “What we did was perfect and right for us, and we aren’t going to apologize to anyone. Remember?”

After a brief moment, Carmella relaxed and smiled. “Thank you. I needed that. I promise not to let anyone guilt me into regretting our decision.”

He gave her a nod of reassurance. “I’m sure my mama will be a little miffed at me too, but she’ll get over it as soon as she realizes she’s gained a new daughter.” He kissed her and soon got carried away, not wanting to stop. But the sounds of laughter and Frank Sinatra’s crooning spilled from the house, reminding them they needed to go in and face the music.

“Too bad we agreed to spend the night here. I can’t wait to get you into my bed again.”

Carmella tingled at the thought of what he’d do with and to her in that bed. “It seemed like a fun idea when Angelina invited us to stay.” These dinners usually went on for hours and hours, so his sister had probably invited them to stay so that Carm and Angelina could be together on Christmas while Marc and Tony worked. She probably should find a way back to Aspen, but Sandro had insisted she take that day off too. She really had become a slacker at the resort lately, but she’d make up for it over New Year’s weekend and give him some time off.

Tony appeared to regret that decision, so she’d give him an out. “Our overnight bags are in the truck, so we can always say we forgot to pack.”

“I like how you think, my bride. But knowing my sister, she’d probably pull out everything we’d need for staying over.”

She kissed him quickly. “Let’s play it by ear. If the tension is too thick after our announcement, we’ll make an early escape. This will be our first Christmas Eve and Christmas morning as a married couple. Nothing is going to ruin it for me.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

She hoped they wouldn’t have to do that. It would mean that their announcement hadn’t gone over very well.

Tony turned toward the door again but before opening it, he glanced at Carm again. “If blaming me for the decision will lessen the damage with your mama or make the Feast less awkward for you, feel free. I have broad shoulders.

How sweet of him! But she simply nodded, not planning to take him up on that for a minute. This had been a joint decision, and she didn’t regret it. She only dreaded telling Mama.

They entered the house where boisterous chatter and more laughter carried to them from the kitchen, always the heart of any Italian home. Carmella wondered if they’d be able to host next year’s Feast at their new home in Wolcott, or wherever they found a place to live.

A quick survey of the room confirmed everyone else was here, including Sandro and her parents. Her heart started to pound again.

“What are you drinking, Carmella?” Matt asked, holding up one bottle of red and another of white. Did he always do bartending honors with the Giardanos? The men all sat around drinking while the women worked. Angelina would put them to work on clean-up duty afterward.

“White, please.”

“For me too,” Tony asked.

“Pour your own,” Matt came back with the same response Franco had given Tony at Thanksgiving. Was this a ritual between the brothers?

The smells of garlic and seafood permeated the kitchen. She didn’t feel much like eating, but seeing her mama chopping onions took her by surprise. Carm leaned in to whisper to Tony, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen my mama working in a kitchen.”

The scene made Carmella thankful that their families had already become blended when Marc and Angelina wed. Surely everyone would accept their marital status quickly and move on as soon as the shock wore off.

“Carmella!” Mama cried as if they hadn’t seen each other in weeks. Carm went over to her mother and gave her a hug and kiss before making the rounds with the rest of the family while Tony made his way to his mama. She zeroed in on him. “What’s wrong?”

How’d she read him so fast? Carm’s gaze zeroed in on Tony. “Nothing’s wrong, Mama.” At least, not as far as they were concerned. Carm signaled with a half-shrug that he they might as well tell everyone their news now, and she made her way back to his side.

“If we can have everyone’s attention,” Tony began, “there’s something that we’d like to tell you.” His gaze focused on his mother. “Something very right, actually.”

All motion and sound ended as everyone’s attention turned to the two of them. Her face grew flushed. She didn’t feel married yet, to be honest, but worried how everyone would take the news, most especially their mamas.

“Yesterday, Carmella and I took a major step. We went out to Maroon Lake and exchanged marriage vows that will link us for the rest of our lives.”

The expressions on their faces told her they were either too shocked to react or that they didn’t know what he was saying. Maybe she should clarify some.

“You see, we didn’t think we could wait even a few months to have a big wedding. It’s not who we are.”

“You’re married?” her mama asked, fanning herself with what looked like a recipe card. “How can that be?”

“There’s a new law in Colorado that makes it legal for a couple to marry themselves without a justice of the peace or priest or anyone officiating. It’s as legal as if we married the traditional way.”

“Not in the eyes of the Church,” Mama pointed out. Mama knew she hadn’t been a regular churchgoer since leaving for college but held onto the hope that Carmella would become active in her faith again one day.

“The clerk at