Page 58 of Endlessly Raphael
The large wooden doors to the left open, and a man in a black robe steps out with a clipboard. “Orpheus party?”
“That’s us,” Yves says.
When I release my mother, Raphael offers his hand and I take it, leading me inside the courtroom. The judge stands between us as everyone else gathers behind. All his brothers are dressed in red suits that match Viv and Viper, and yeah, I’m floored. How did he pull this off so quickly?
Rapha takes my hand in his and we repeat the generic words the judge recites. I don’t know what Rapha is thinking right now, but I’m putting all I’ve got into these words, hoping that maybe, just this once, the universe will hook me up and let me keep this sliver of happiness I’ve finally got in my clutches.
There’s no way he’s not a good person. Agreeing to this was enough proof, but he doesn’t even need money. He’s doing it just to help me out.
“Do you have rings to exchange?” the judge asks.
My mouth drops. “We forgot rings.”
Rapha laughs. “I guess we were too caught up. We’ll get some later.”
I nod. “Yeah, okay.”
The judge nods, continuing until he makes it official. “I pronounce you married. You may seal your union with a kiss.”
Raphael’s eyes soften as he leans in and presses a chaste kiss to my lips, whispering, “There’ll be more later.”
Giggling, I nod. “We’re married.”
“We are.”
We simply hold each other’s gaze until Thorn breaks it up. “Enough googly eyes. Let’s go party.”
As a group, we flow out of the courthouse and back across the street to the ballroom we have reserved. We opted to discard all the traditions like first dances and stuff and just have fun. And that’s what we do.
There are other people here now. Almost all of them are men except for a few women who hang around Viv and Viper. Rapha and I sit in a corner, sipping champagne and watching everyone. His brothers keep my mother entertained, dancing with her until she makes a polite departure.
“How do you feel, my beauty?” Rapha asks, lifting my hand to kiss it. “You pulled it off.”
“Not quite yet. Tomorrow I’ll go get everything signed with the trustee. Then the hard part starts.”
“Remember, you’re not alone. Yves is always available for advice.”
“Not you?”
He chuckles. “I don’t concern myself with business dealings. I just do my job.”
“Which is?”
His smile fades. “CIA Operative.”
“Right. You don’t think you should tell me now that we’re married?”
“Nope.” He kisses my nose. “I’d rather you keep your current image of me.”
“Oooh, intriguing response.” Scooting a little closer, I run my hand down his chest. “Maybe I could tease it out of you.”
“You think so?”
“Or I could bribe you to tell me.”
“Bribe me with what?”
I tap my chin like I’m thinking. “You seem to like biting me.”