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“You look sensational.” Serena takes the words right out of my mouth as Madalina makes her way down the stairs, the heels she’s wearing are far too high for her to be walking in, and I make a mental note to ensure I keep her close and make sure she doesn’t overdo it today.
“I feel huge.” She huffs out a breath when she makes it to the bottom step.
“That’s because youarehuge.” Her big brother pipes up and I throw him a warning look that makes the sarky, little prick smirk at me.
“You’ve scrubbed up well, despite the bruises.” Madalina fixes Nicolas's tie and smiles at him. “Are you sure you’re up to this?”
“Hell, yes, I’m up to it. I can’t wait to watch the man who took my district be forced to marry a woman who looks like a troll.”
“Nicolas!” Serena scolds him. “Gabriella Fabriano is a very attractive young woman.”
“If you like that kind of thing.” He shrugs.
Serena shakes her head and scurries off to the kitchen,while I wrap my arms around my wife and take in how stunning she looks.
“I told you that Paulo guy was good.” I wink at her. The dress is a little shorter than I’d like it to be but I won’t mention that.
“There is no more room in this dress,” she assures me, patting her bump proudly. “I think it took all the pink lace in the city to make it.”
“Well, you only need to wear it for a few hours then you can get back into my sweats.” I kiss her forehead.
“The cars are ready boss.” Vito clears his throat when he interrupts us and Nicolas quickly goes in search of Serena while Madalina takes a long deep breath.
“Why do you look so nervous?” I narrow my eyes on her. Women are supposed to love these kinds of events.
“I’m not nervous, I just get a little anxious being around your father. Especially since I found out you went against his wishes to marry me.”
“Don’t worry about him, just be proud to show off this big, beautiful bump.” I stroke my hand over it.
“Well, it would be hard to hide it. I really hope Dr. Walsh agrees to induce me next week. I’m getting uncomfortable and I really want to see their little faces.” She bites her lip with excitement.
“Let’s just take one day at a time.” I kiss her again before leading her out to our car. We get into the one Vito is driving while Serena and Nicolas get into the one behind and as we start our journey to the chapel, I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket.
“I thought today was a complete day off. You're already slacking in the best man department. You were supposed to stay with Cassio last night.” She nudges me playfully.
“And leave you? Don’t be silly. Cassio is a big boy and I told him I’d meet him at the chapel. We’re getting there early.”
I’m surprised that the text is from my dad. He never texts so it must be important.
Need to talk before the ceremony. Meet me at the house.
“He’s cutting it fine.” I shake my head, wondering what the hell is on his mind. I swear, if he’s getting cold feet about letting Cassio be more involved, I’ll lose my shit with him.
“What do you mean?” Madalina asks, checking her lips in the pocket mirror from her purse.
“My father wants to see me before the wedding,” I explain, feeling unnerved. What Nicolas said back at the hospital last week has been playing on my mind ever since. I don’t want to admit it, but I don’t feel like I can trust my father these days. “He wants me to go to the house.”
“Your brother gets married in less than an hour,” she reminds me as the car pulls up outside the chapel.
“Exactly, it means whatever he’s got to say is important. Vito.” I lean forward. “Take Madalina inside and stay with her. I’ll be back before the ceremony starts.” I turn back to her and see both shock and anger on her face.
“Go be with Serena and Nicolas, and tell Cassio I’ll be back in plenty of time,” I tell her.
“Youarejoking, right?” She stares at me blankly.
“Dad wouldn't ask me to go to the house if it wasn’t important.” My gut instinct is telling me something is wrong and it’s not often wrong.
“Surely, it can wait until after the wedding?” she argues.
