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I didn't expect Emilio to instrumentalize this wedding in such a way. It was almost like a campaign for the family. A campaign to demonstrate that power still lay with Emilio and that he enjoyed the support of countless people. One of them more dangerous than the other.
One look at Dario was enough to tell me that he had shown up with bloodlust in mind. I wonder if it was because I didn't see Gia anywhere near him. I spotted a tiny splash of blood on Fiero's collar. Natale stayed away from the crowd and watched the hustle and bustle with his arms crossed. Flavia was at Emilio's side, and together they made an awe-inspiring couple. And not just because everyone kept at least a one-yard distance from them.
I would have liked that distance, too. Instead, someone was constantly squeezing my arm, kissing my cheek, or wanting a hug. Vincenzo seemed even more uncomfortable with this attention because he half hid behind my expansive dress, making it difficult for people to get close to him.
I envied him for this advantage because it meant I got the bulk of the congratulatory comments while he watched over with his arms folded.
Someone reached for my hand, lifted it, and marveled at the ring on my finger. I could have sworn I saw a magpie flash in the woman's eyes. Although she had to be in her mid-sixties, that didn't mean she didn't have thieving fingers.
With a smile but quite determined, I withdrew from her hand and concentrated instead on someone else. I couldn't blame the older woman, though, because the ring was anything but inconspicuous. The size alone was enough to immediately catch the eye.
The band had been set with countless diamonds, while the actual stone sparkled a rich blue. I didn't need a jeweler to tell me it was a sapphire.
Not a usual choice and I wondered who had made this selection.
Suddenly, Carlotta appeared next to me, one hand on my middle so she could push a little in front of me to cover the gaze of the others.
"Dario told me to keep quiet, but I'd like to give you a heads up at this point… our parents are on their way here. I might have guessed they would get wind of it, but I didn't expect them to show. Either you guys leave now, or this will get really interesting." Somehow it didn't sound as ifreally interestingmeant something positive.
My gaze slid to Vincenzo.
"I haven't told him yet. But I can assure you that as soon as they set foot in this chapel, he will run for the hills." Carlotta sounded more serious this time, and that caused a sinking feeling in my stomach.
I had experienced enough today regarding the subject of parents. I didn't need to make the acquaintance of the parents of Italy's most feared mafia offspring.
What they had become had to find its origin somewhere…
Before I could think about it I turned to Vincenzo. Somehow I managed to get my face close to his ear. It did mean getting closer to him a second time that day, but for him, it seemed to be part of the game.
His arm automatically moved around my waist.
"Carlotta just told me your parents are on their way here," I whispered.
For a moment, he stiffened, then he grabbed me and lifted me into the air and into his arms. I uttered a surprised sound, but it was drowned in the sudden applause and cheers.
They probably thought Vincenzo couldn't stand not being alone with his bride for a second longer.Fantastico. I cleverly hid my tortured smile and allowed him to carry me outside, although I could have walked.
"What do you have against your parents?" I asked when he pushed open the chapel door. The warm midday sun shone down on us. I instantly felt warmer in the dress.
Vincenzo hurried down the stairs without stumbling once despite still carrying me in his arms while wearing a dress that wasn't exactly light.
"Because I can imagine what they will say. It would be the same farce for them as it is for everyone else. And it would probably make them happy. They never liked Rina, and my father was almost mortally offended when I gave up the boss post and appointed Emilio instead."
I raised an eyebrow but saved my answer because the guests had followed us outside to the parking lot and continued to cheer.
Fortunately, outside of the ceremony, they had only insisted that we kiss one more time.
Vincenzo had tried hard to make it look natural, but we had both been so uncomfortable it had been almost embarrassing to even come near him.
A career as an actress was officially crossed off my imaginary list.
Vincenzo took me to aBugatti Chiron Super Sport, its black paint job gleamed in the sunlight. He’d probably lended it just for the occasion.
"That's not exactly the kind of wedding car you'd expect," I said with amusement, for which I earned a grim look.
"I told Carlotta not to plan for that little detail," he explained, opening the door one-handed and putting me down. I didn't know how I would fit the dress in the car.
Maybe that was also because I had not paid attention earlier when they had put the dress on me. Vincenzo used deft fingers to loosen some buttons and bows on the skirt, and, within seconds, I stepped out of the flared part without suddenly standing there half-naked.
