There wasn't time for a wedding dress.
The moment Alex stepped into the drawing room and announced that the wedding would proceed, Seamus's men were already moving us. Within minutes, we were ushered out into the corridor and down a narrow hallway that smelled faintly of old wood and incense.
By the time we reached the small chapel tucked inside the mansion, everything was prepared. A priest stood waiting at the altar, with Seamus and Liam beside him. It only took less than half an hour for Camilla to be married to a man she had met a few hours ago.
Seamus stood proudly at his son's side, watching the ceremony with quiet satisfaction, as if this had been inevitable all along. When finally, once the papers were signed, the priest folded it neatly and lifted his gaze.
"And now," he said solemnly, "I pronounce you husband and wife."
His attention shifted to Liam.
"You may kiss the bride."
I slipped my hand around Alex's arm as I watched Liam reach for Camilla.
I snuck my hand around Alex's arm, as I watched Liam grabbed his jaw and crashed his lips against hers. Her hands went up to his chest, gently pushing him away just as he was about to deepen the kiss. She gave him a polite smell, and stepped back.
"That's it, then," Seamus exclaimed, clapping his hands together.
We both turned to him.
"Our deal is sealed, Murphy," Alex said.
I slipped my hand around Alex's arm as I watched Liam reach for Camilla.
He cupped her jaw and pulled her into a kiss, sudden and firm. His lips crashing against her with a confidence that made Camilla stiffen for a split second. Her hands rose instinctively, pressing lightly against his chest. Just as he seemed ready to deepen the kiss, she pushed him back.
The contact broke.
She offered him a polite, restrained smile before taking a small step away.
"That's it, then" Seamus declared, clapping his hands together with satisfaction. The sharp sound echoing through the small chapel.
Alex and I both turned toward him.
"Our deal is sealed, Murphy," Alex said evenly.
"Indeed," Seamus replied, extending his hand across the small space between them. "Always a pleasure doing business with you, Barinov. Now that our families are bound together, should you need anything—"
"You've done enough," Alex interjected smoothly.
Despite the interruption, he still reached forward and clasped Seamus's hand, flashing the older man a polite, businesslike smile. The kind that never reached his eyes.
I mirrored the gesture with a small nod before letting my gaze drift back toward Camilla.
She was standing beside Liam now, her posture composed, though I knew her well enough to recognize the tension in her shoulders. When our eyes met, she gave me a small nod and forced a smile.
I excused myself from Alex and Seamus, before crossing the chapel toward them.
"Congratulations," I said softly.
Camilla let out a quiet breath that almost sounded like a laugh.
"Thank you," she murmured.
Liam watched the exchange, his expression curious rather than suspicious.
"Would you mind," I asked him politely, "if I stole my friend for a moment?"
Liam glanced at Camilla.
When she gave a small shrug, he nodded.
"Of course."
I took Camilla gently by the arm and guided her toward one of the wooden pews.
Behind us, Liam turned and walked up toward his father, where Seamus was still speaking to Alex in low, measured tones. Liam joined his father's side, the three men forming a quiet circle of conversation while the priest busied himself with gathering the documents.
Camilla and I sat down.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then I asked quietly, "How are you feeling?"
Camilla let out a slow breath, staring ahead at the altar.
"Numb," she admitted. "I don't think it's really registered yet."
I nodded faintly.
"Not usually this soon," I murmured.
For a moment, we sat in silence.
Then I glanced at her. "Have you made any decision about Sergio?" I asked carefully. "You can take your time, obviously. He already knows what's happening. Alex told him."
I paused before adding, "I was just wondering..."
Camilla's jaw tightened.
"I don't want him near me," she said.
The answer came quickly. Too quickly.
I studied her face. Her eyes flickering with something I couldn't quiet place.
"I'm going to give this marriage a real try," she said, her voice quieter now but still firm. Her gaze dropping to the simple gold band on her ring finger. "It's time to grow up. To move on."
"Your father—"
"We'll deal with them together," she cut in, lifting her eyes toward the altar again. "All of them."
I studied her profile.
I was worried about her. The way she had agreed to this so quickly, how she had stepped onto our side without hesitation. It made me wonder if there was something deeper she was keeping tightly buried.
Something she didn't want to look at too closely. Because no matter what Arturo had done, he was still her father. Just as Lorenzo was still my grandfather.
But before I could say anything else, footsteps echoed softly across the chapel floor.
Alex stopped beside our pew.
"Are you ready to go?" he said simply.
Camilla and I both looked up.
"They're preparing the cars," he continued. "We're heading there along with Seamus to deal with them tonight."
I rose slowly from the bench.
Camilla followed a moment later, smoothing her hands over her dark coat before slipping it back on. She brushed her blonde hair over one shoulder, then pulled a pair of dark gloves from her pocket and slid them on with deliberate clam.
Liam noticed the movement and strode toward her, catching her lightly by the arm.
"You're my wife now, Camilla," he said. "You're leaving with me."
Her jaw tightened. She pulled her arm free and gestured coolly toward the aisle.
"Then lead the way, husband," she replied, her voice edged with challenge.
A slow smirk spread across Liam's face, as if he appreciated the defiance. He extended his gloved hand toward her.
Camilla took it.
Without another word, he guided her down the aisle and out of the chapel.
Near the altar, Seamus stood lazily blowing out a stream of cigar smoke, watching the scene unfold with obvious satisfaction. When his gaze shifted to Alex, he tipped his head in respect.
"I'll see you there, Barinov."
Alex gave a single nod.
When the Murphys disappeared through the chapel doors, he finally turned to me.
"We're close to the end now, Princess," he said quietly. "How are you feeling?"
I watched the doors for a moment longer before looking back at him.
"Do you think they'll get along?" he asked after a beat, his tone thoughtful.
I exhaled slowly.
"Only time will tell."
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then Alex reached for me, pulling me gently closer before pressing a soft kiss to my lips. His hand lingering at my waist when he pulled back.
"It will all end soon," he murmured.
I rested my forehead briefly against his chest.
"Thank you," I whispered. "For everything."