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.Two hundred years he had waited for this moment.“I will.”“Have you a ring?”“Yes.” Reaching into his pocket, Alex withdrew a plain gold band.“You may place the ring on her finger.”And now it was Alex who trembled as he slid the ring onto Kara’s finger.“Repeat after me.With this ring, I thee wed.”“With this ring, I thee wed.”“And with all my worldly goods, I thee endow.”“And with all my worldly goods, I thee endow.”Anderson glanced at Kara, and she shook her head.She’d had no chance to buy Alex a ring and couldn’t help wondering when he’d found the opportunity to buy one for her.“Then, by the power vested in me, I pronounce that you are now man and wife.” The minister smiled at Alex.“You may kiss the bride.”Heart pounding with happiness, Alex drew Kara into his arms.“I love you,” he murmured.“I shall love you as long as I live.” And then, with all the tenderness at his command, he kissed her.And kissed her.And kissed her again.“I wish you both all the happiness in the world,” the minister said.He shook Alex’s hand, then gave Kara a kiss on the cheek.“I hope whatever trouble you two are in will be swiftly settled.”“Thank you,” Kara said, blinking back her tears.Alex nodded as he shook the minister’s hand.“Thank you.” Reaching into his pocket, he withdrew a hundred dollar bill and pressed it into the minister’s hand.“I can’t take this,” Anderson said.“It’s too much.”“It isn’t enough,” Alex said as he wrapped his arm around Kara’s shoulders.“Believe me, it isn’t nearly enough.”“I shall accept it on behalf of the church,” Anderson said.“And I shall remember you daily in my prayers.”After another farewell, Kara and Alex left the church.Kara couldn’t stop smiling.She was Alexander’s wife.Mrs.Claybourne.Happiness bubbled up inside her like champagne bubbles.Married to Alex.He helped her into the car, then drew her into his arms and kissed her again.“I can’t believe it,” he whispered.“You’re mine now.Truly mine.”“I’ve always been yours,” she replied solemnly.“Even when I didn’t know you, I think I was waiting for you to find me.”He kissed her again, a deep kiss filled with promise, and then he switched on the engine and drove toward the bank.It was time to meet Hamblin.Mitch paced back and forth in front of the bank, his gaze constantly shifting up and down the street.He’d been a fool to agree to this, a fool to believe Claybourne would keep his word.The man—hell, he wasn’t a man at all—had probably lit out for parts unknown.He glanced at his watch.Five to ten.How many more nights was he going to waste his time by coming here?A flash of headlights drew his attention.Squinting, one hand fisted around the gun inside his coat, he stepped into the shadows as the car drew up to the curb.If he ever got his hands on the money Claybourne promised him, he was going to get out of this business.It was too hard on the nerves.He blew out a sigh of relief as Claybourne stepped out of the car.“ ’Bout time you showed up.”“I said I would.” Alex reached into his shirt pocket and withdrew an envelope.“I hope a check is satisfactory.”“I’d prefer cash.”“I’m sure you would, but it’s difficult for me to get to the bank during working hours.Don’t worry,” Alex said, offering him the envelope, “this check’s as good as the last one.”“It better be.” Mitch took the envelope, opened it, and glanced at the check.One hundred and fifty thousand dollars.Just thinking about that much money, combined with the other hundred thousand in his savings account, made his heart race with excitement.“You’d better get out of town,” Alex suggested.“I’m on my way,” Mitch said with a grin.“Thanks for everything.”“Yes,” Alex said wryly.“I hope you enjoy the Porsche.”“Been a pleasure knowing you, man.”“Profitable, anyway.”Mitch laughed.“You got that right.So long.”Alex grunted softly as he watched the kid slide into the Porsche and drive away.He’d miss the car, he mused, but what the heck, he could buy another.And then he thought of Kara, waiting for him around the corner, and he forgot about Mitch and Barrett, forgot everything but the fact that this was his wedding night.The drive up the mountain seemed to take forever.Kara felt a glow in her heart each time she looked at Alexander.Her husband.For better or worse.She felt a twinge of unease as she wondered if things would ever be better, if they would ever be free of Barrett, able to get on with their lives without always looking over their shoulders.“Not having regrets already, are you?” Alex asked.“Of course not.” She scooted closer, pressing herself against him.“Worrying about Barrett?”She nodded.“I can’t help it.Do you think he’ll ever give up?”“I don’t know.I hope so.” Bending toward her, his gaze on the road, he kissed her cheek.“I love you, natayah.”His words, the husky tremor in his voice, chased all thoughts of Dale Barrett from her mind.Placing her hand on Alex’s knee, she ran her fingertips up and down his hard-muscled thigh.“Can’t you drive a little faster?”“Keep that up, and I’ll probably run us off the road.”“Really?” She let her hand caress his inner thigh, smiled when his foot pressed down on the accelerator.“Vixen,” he growled.Wrapping his arm around her shoulders, he drew her even closer, until there was no space between them at all.They reached the cavern a short time later.Switching off the engine, Alex alighted from the car and walked around to open the door for Kara.Taking her hand, he helped her out, then swung her into his arms and carried her to the entrance of the cave.“We’re home, Mrs.Claybourne.”“Mrs.Claybourne,” she repeated.“It sounds wonderful.”He touched the rock face and the portal opened.With ease, he carried her inside, then paused in the corridor, gazing down into her eyes.“Did I tell you how beautiful you are?”“Yes, but tell me again.”“You are beautiful, Kara Claybourne.The most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”“Thank you, Alex Claybourne.”He smiled at her as he carried her into the kitchen, where he plucked a bottle of champagne from the shelf [ Pobierz 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