Free Kidnapping the Brazilian Tycoon by Carmen Falcone Page A

feet. Camila giggled as the dog wagged his tail. “I’m sorry, he’s been following me everywhere.”
    Addie recognized the black dog with the long, skinny white tail from yesterday. Could he be the same dog? “That dog.” Her voice was above a whisper.
    “I’ve named him Torto. Isn’t he adorable? Bruno said he saw him at the beach yesterday and that he needed a home. Today he drove back to the same spot and walked a couple miles searching for him. The owner of a nearby kiosk helped him find the dog. Torto won’t need to beg his patrons for crumbs anymore.”
    Warmth flowed through Addie’s veins. “That’s…nice of him.”
    “He had him checked out by a vet and sent him to the groomer’s before he gave him to me.” Camila scratched the dog’s ears. “We haven’t had a pet in a while, so I’m excited.” She put the dog in the corner and gave him a toy. “Wow. You’re beautiful.”
    Addie turned to her soon-to-be sister-in-law. “Good, or I’d call the boutique and ask for my money back.”
    Camila laughed. “I know why my brother picked you.”
    “Why?”
    “You’re not easily impressed. He needs to try harder.”
    “You mean I’m a lot of work?” Addie chuckled. “I don’t think guys like a lot of work where women are concerned.”
    “He can take it.”
    “Watch it, I might use that as a mantra.”
    “All joking aside, I’m happy for you two.” Camila picked the bottle of styling cream from the dresser and sprayed a generous amount on her hand. “Can you imagine? The beginning of your life together. Two merging as one.” Camila applied the cream to Addie’s hair, running her fingers through it and smoothing the ends. “Forever.”
    Forever. The bright smile on Camila’s lips made Addie’s stomach curl.
    She should have known pretending to marry for the right reasons would be difficult. An urge to come clean, to blurt out there was no forever for her and Bruno, tingled at the tip of her tongue. No . She clamped her lips shut. All he wanted from her was compliance.
    Who cared how tough the compliance would get?
    “Ready?”
    Am I? She wondered as she made her way to the back garden, which had been turned into a whimsical oasis.
    Chinese paper lanterns, scattered between the tall trees, lit the surroundings. Well-dressed guests occupied rows and rows of white cloth-covered chairs on both sides of the altar, which consisted of a small stage enhanced by a touch of pink lighting. Addie was sure that had been Camila’s idea. Everything, after all, was someone else’s idea. All they’d asked her since she’d arrived was if she had any food allergies.
    The irony of being a guest at her own wedding made her eyes moist. This wedding wasn’t her. And that certainty should have brought her relief, yet it filled her with sadness because the man she was supposed to marry no longer lived.
    She caught herself gripping the long stems of her bouquet of mixed calla lilies and French tulips . As she marched on the starched, flawless white carpet, her gaze focused on the small silver baskets filled with white lilies and gerberas outlining the altar.
    She forced her trembling lips into what she hoped was the dignified hint of a smile and stared at the sheer cloth descending from the altar. Were those Swarovski crystals? They glowed against the starry night. What also glowed were Bruno’s eyes.
    Standing next to his father, who looked tired but happy to be there in his wheelchair, Bruno Duarte was too damn handsome in his white suit. She was no fan of men wearing white suits—or suits at all, for that matter—but what did she know about fashion? Bottom line was, he pulled it off. Oh, did he pull it off.
    The suit was tailored to his large frame, enhancing his broad shoulders and long legs. There was something regal about the pristine white jacket, the silk tie, and the white trousers that went with it. The light color emphasized his olive skin.
    When she got to his side, her pulse