I led her forward. “And now they’re yours.”

The officiant knew about our time constraints and kept the service pretty basic, mostly sticking to what was legally required in the state of Nevada. He did add one part that was his own design, words that burned into me and repeated in my brain later when I slipped the little glittering circle of rubies onto Sydney’s finger: “Until now, you have always lived your life alone. Every decision you’ve made has been for you and you alone. Now, and for the rest of your days, your life will be tied to another’s. Every decision you make will be for both of you. What one does affects the other. You are a family, a team . . . inseparable and unbreakable.”

They were powerful words for someone like me to hear, someone who’d indeed lived a pretty selfish existence. But as I met Sydney’s shining eyes and saw the hope and joy radiating from her, I felt up to them. I was ready to take that selfless step with her, to know that everything we did now was about the two of us and, eventually, our family. This was the biggest decision I’d made in my life . . . and the one I did most happily.

When the vows were said and the rings were on, the officiant pronounced us husband and wife. I drew Sydney to me and kissed her, full of love and life and the happiness of what we had in store for us. When we finally pulled apart, the minister added, “I’m very pleased to introduce the world to Adrian and Sydney Ivashkov.”

Sydney’s smile turned a little wry at that, and I couldn’t help but groan. “Oh no. What?”

She laughed. “Nothing, nothing. I just always figured I’d keep my own name. Or at least hyphenate.”

“Really, woman?” I said. “You bring that up now? You owe me another kiss for that.”

I drew her back to me and actually got two kisses. We signed the paperwork with the officiant, and then I paid him and the photographer their bonuses. I also bought the memory card out of the photographer’s camera then and there, despite his protests about how he normally touched up the photos and uploaded them for online viewing. “No time,” I said, waving the magic wad of cash around. It was nearly as good as compulsion.

With everything done, we gathered up our things and said farewell to our tiny slice of Italy. “What now?” asked Sydney, as we moved toward the door hand in hand.

“Now, we get out of here, and believe me, we’re going in style.”

The reservations guy held the door open for us, more than relieved his little escapade was over. I thanked him again and stepped out into the main hallway . . .

. . . where a group of Alchemists was waiting for us.

CHAPTER 21

SYDNEY

AN UNSEEN FORCE suddenly sent the Alchemists flying against the walls, and I didn’t have to ask to know that was Adrian’s handiwork. I felt his hand on my back, pushing me forward. “Come on.”

We tore off down the hall, not looking back, both of us knowing the Alchemists wouldn’t stay down for long. “We just have to make it to the Blue Lagoon,” he told me.

“Is that a pool here or something?” I asked. My shoes and dress made it harder to keep up with him, and he grabbed my hand to pull me along.

“It’s a new hotel. South end of the Strip.”

“South end . . .” I pulled up my mental map of Las Vegas Boulevard. “That’s at least a mile or more away!”

“Sorry,” he said. “It couldn’t be helped. We have some pretty specific parameters, and they were one of the few places that fit the bill.”

I didn’t ask for elaboration as we emerged onto the gaming floor. Normally, I would’ve welcomed a congested area to get lost in, but Adrian and I didn’t exactly blend in wearing our wedding finery. The fact that we were tearing through the crowd and bumping into people kind of made us stand out too.

“Sorry,” I called back, when Adrian accidentally bumped into a waitress carrying a tray of drinks. They spilled on some very surprised people at a blackjack table, but there was no time for further apologies or amends. A quick glance back didn’t reveal the Alchemists, but I could see signs of commotion in the crowd, making me think our pursuers were hot on our trail.

The casino floor was like a maze to me, but Adrian seemed to have a sense of purpose. Before long, we emerged out the front door, to the Firenze’s circular drive, which was abuzz with a whole different type of chaos. Evening had fallen, and the number of people moving in and around us had increased significantly, as pleasure-seekers came out for gambling, shows, and other diversions. The Alchemists hadn’t followed us out yet, and we both peered around for our next move.

“Where are the taxis?” exclaimed Adrian.

A large group of young women, dressed to impress, stood near us. One of them wore a “bride-to-be” sash and a rhinestone tiara, and the vibe surrounding them suggested they’d already had more than one drink in her honor tonight. They ooh’ed and ahh’ed when they saw us. “We’re waiting for a taxi too,” said the girl nearest me. She giggled. “A few of them, actually.”

“Are you in some kind of trouble?” asked another.

“Yes,” I said, thinking swiftly. “We eloped, and my dad doesn’t approve. He and some of my family are right behind us, trying to get us to annul.”

It wasn’t that much of a stretch of the truth, and they gasped and exclaimed in dismay. Adrian swept his gaze over all of them and said in a honey-like voice, “It’d be really great if you could let us have this next cab.” I looked up and saw a yellow taxi approaching where we all stood.