Submitting to My Best Friend's Dad-Chapter 836 : Last Day of ’Freedom’

*Elio*

The next morning when I woke up with Cat wrapped around me, I felt excitement flow through my system. I knew there was a lot to do today, and I had to get up soon. But I just lay there and basked in her scent, the weight of her body laying over my chest, and her breath blowing over the skin of my chest.

Her hair was tickling my lips and the bottom of my nose as I breathed in the scent of her hair. I smiled to myself, and I just wanted to lay there forever. I thought about the day that was about to start, and everything inside me felt warm like the sunlight that was peeking through the blinds of our room.

For a moment, I lay there, taking it all in, realizing that soon the woman who lay in my arms would be mine forever, both in heart and by law. She would be mine in every way possible, and I would be hers. Just like the sunshine outside, letting me know it was going to be a beautiful day, the thoughts in my mind let me know that I was going to make it a good day.

I kissed the top of her head and slowly moved from beneath her as best I could without waking her up. I had things to do. After showering, shaving, and getting dressed and a pair of jeans and a T-shirt, I slipped on my loafers. When I turned around, I saw that Cat was awake. She was lying on her side, her head held up by her hand. She had been watching me dress. I grinned at her.

“Good morning,“ she said, her voice, sleepy and her eyes at half-mast.

“Good morning to you, sleepyhead,“ I said, walking over to her and bending over her, bracing my arms on either side of her.

“I guess it’s time for you to leave me?” she asked, leaning forward to kiss my lips.

“Unfortunately,“ I confirmed, slanting my head and deepening the kiss.

The kiss was passionate, her lips fitting to mine, our tongues lashing at each other. I nipped at her top lip. She nibbled at my bottom lip. We nearly fell back onto the bed again, wrapped in one another.

“I can’t stay,” I said, breathing hard against her lips.

“I know, but I wish you could.”

“Maybe later?” I asked, looking deep into her eyes, waiting for her to agree.

“Get out of here before you make me agree to go to hell with you,” she said, pushing at my shoulder with a laugh.

“Are you saying that I could make you agree to a multitude of sins?” I asked, laughing along with her and kissing her lips every time she smiled at me.

“Go do what you’re supposed to be doing, so I can get up and do what I’m supposed to be doing. It’s a busy day.”

I kissed her again, savoring the taste of her on my lips because I knew it would probably be the last time for hours. “I’ll see you at rehearsal,” I promised.

“See you there,” she said with a sigh.

I smiled to myself as I put my wallet, phone, and keys in my pockets and headed out of our suite. I ran down the stairs and walked out the front door before I could think of anything else to hold me up.

I knew that if I turned around and went back upstairs to see Cat, lying in bed, all soft and sleep-rumpled, I’d give in to the urge and just stay there with her in bed all day. I had too many things to do. So I avoided the temptation and forced myself to leave the house. I started the car and drove to the warehouse.

Last night before Cat and I went to bed and stayed there for the rest of the night, I received a text from Franky letting me know to meet him at the warehouse, where he and Leo would be waiting to start on the security for the wedding venue. I appreciated that they were both so serious about our safety.

When I got to the warehouse, Leo and Franky met me at the door and we rode together in the same SUV to the wedding venue. It was a great place and was going to be perfect for our wedding. But it was a big ass place too, with so many entrances and exits to cover. Security was going to be a challenge, but I was confident in our team.

The security team was waiting for us, a huge force of men and women standing outside the building lined up in front of it. One of the men walked out of the lineup to shake my hand.

“Michael,” I greeted him. Michael Castillo was a good man, loyal and capable. His parents and extended family had been part of the Italian branch for years. I’d been happy when I heard they were coming to America to join my team.

“Good evening, Mr. Valentino,” he said. “The staff and I are ready. Please rest assured that your family is protected on this special day.”

“Thank you,” I said. “I appreciate your hard work and attention to detail.” I looked over the staff. I didn’t know them all, but either Franky or Leo knew everyone standing in front of us. They all looked capable of protecting my soon-to-be wife and the rest of my family. I could protect myself and Leo and Franky would be there too, but we would all be too distracted by the ceremony to pay attention to everything else. I wanted these men and women to be here for two reasons–Cat and Emilia. I wanted both of my girls to be safe.

“Always,” Castillo said.

He took me through his lineup of people and told me their names and specialties. I was vastly impressed.

“We have enough people here to make sure that you have someone inside and outside of the venue and in every room of this place. You have rented the entire complex, correct?”

I nodded. “Yes, we have.”

“Then, there will be someone in each room except the restrooms. There, we have people stationed outside. Unless that coverage is something you would prefer?” Castillo was being thorough, and I was grateful.

“Actually, I would appreciate there being at least one female guard in the women’s restrooms,” I said. “I don’t want to take any chances with my family.”

“Yes, sir, it will be done,” Castillo promised.

As I took another look at the venue and was very happy with what I saw with the guards and with the venue, I thought of the day that was coming. Already the decorators had been at work, putting together the colors and adornments for our wedding and reception.

It was lovely, just like Cat, and everything was already coming together. I couldn’t wait for Cat to see it, but I was sure we wouldn’t see each other after tonight’s rehearsal.

I night without her was going to be tough, but we’d have the rest of our lives together. That was worth it to have the experience Cat wanted.

After walking the place by myself, I met up with Castillo and another one of his men at the entrance again. He walked me through the plan for the evening. We walked into each room and he showed me the places where people would either be placed or those who would mingle among the guests as if they were part of the wedding.

He also walked me around the perimeter, showing me the places where guards would be placed, and asking me if there were any other measures I would like to take before leaving him and his men and women to their jobs.

As usual, I was truly impressed by his professionalism as well as his attention to detail. Hell, the man even walked me into the women’s restrooms–after making sure they were empty, of course–to show me where his people would be and what they would be doing. Primarily, he wanted to set them up as if they were just ordinary guests, though most of our ‘family’ members would probably realize they were guards anyway, but that was okay.

I asked if there was anything else I needed to do for him and his men and women.

“No sir, we have it all under control. Is there anything else you would like us to do for you?”

“No, I agree with you on everything, Castillo,” I said. “I believe you and your men and women have it all under control. I’m grateful to you.“

While I knew I was paying our team for their services, he could never know how grateful I was that he was going to be the one keeping me and my family safe while my attentions were elsewhere for the day. I wanted everything to go right, and I didn’t want anything interrupting the most wonderful day of Cat’s life.

It was supposed to be a day of pleasure and happiness, and nothing was going to ruin that for her. I was glad to have someone in my corner who was willing to assist me with my goal.

When I was satisfied with everything, Leo, Franky, and I all piled back into the SUV.

“Gotta love that guy. He’s thorough as hell,” Leo said.

“I agree,” I said, staring out the window at the venue, hoping everything went the way I wanted it to.

“So, you ready?” Franky asked. “This will be your last night of freedom.” I could hear laughter in his voice.

“Hell, yeah, I’m ready,” I said, clapping my hands together and smiling at Franky over my shoulder.

I could see the hesitant look on his face. “What’s wrong?” I asked.

“Well, I... was kind of hoping you’d change your mind about me being in the wedding,” Franky said hesitantly. “I feel like I’m intruding.”

“Oh, hell no,” Leo said, taking a curve too fast.

“Slow down, asshole,” I said jokingly. “I want to make it to my wedding alive tomorrow. You’re going, Franky,” I ordered. “And you’re going to stand up there and look presentable in your tux.” I’d been hoping he wouldn’t try to pull this. Out of all of us, he looked the most uncomfortable at the tux fittings.

“But, Elio–”

“You’re just as much a brother to me as Leo is, and you’re not intruding, you asshole,” I insisted. “I asked for you to stand with me for a reason.”

“Sure, whatever, man,” he said reluctantly.

“Then go home and get used to the tie,” Leo said with a laugh.

“Nobody asked you, asshole,” Frankie retorted.

I laughed.

“Fuck both of you,” Frankie said, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Look, you can take off the damn tuxedo after the ceremony,” Leo said. He turned to me. “Right?”

“Get your eyes back on the road,” I ordered him. “Franky, yes. Bring something else that you can change into. All you need to do is wear it for the ceremony.”

“The ladies will be hot for you in the suit,” Leo joked. “It’ll be your new uniform.”

“Didn’t I just tell you the fuck off? “Frankie asked.

Leo and I busted a gut laughing. I knew in that moment that not only was I with my friends, but I was among my brothers, the two men closest to me and my life. I knew that both of them would take a bullet for me and they give up their lives for my fiancée and child.

Seeing Franky’s grumpy face but agreeable eyes made me smile again. I knew he wouldn’t let me down. Neither one of these men would.

“Shit!“ Franky snarled.

“What’s up?“ Leo asked.

I turned to face Franky.”

“I just got a really fucked up text from Junior,” he said.