AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Quite,” I said and swallowed away the tingles that were building in my body from the arousal that the memories of that man brought back.
God, I was so twisted in the head to think back on that ceremony fondly.
“Well,” Molly said with a smile as she laid a platter of delicious-looking snacks down on the table in front of me, “Mr. Capasso asked me to bring you these. He said to make sure you had your fill today.”
I fought the smile that tried to tilt my lips up at what seemed to be a kind gesture from my future husband. If only he’d taken the opportunity to join me at dinner last night so I could have met him.
“Is he a… kind man?” I asked Molly in a quiet voice. I didn’t want Saul or my sisters to hear the vulnerable question, and I hoped that if she was quiet in her response, she might feel comfortable giving me an honest answer.
“Mr. Capasso is-” She paused and fussed over the food, “Intentional,” She grimaced like that word wasn’t the right one. “He never does or says anything that he doesn’t mean to. He’s always two or three steps ahead of everyone else in the world.”
“But that doesn’t speak of his kindness,” I said with a sigh.
“It does,” she whispered. “In the five years that I’ve worked for him, I’ve never once been given direct instructions from him for one of his guests as I have with you,” Molly winked. “He even hand-plated this food for you, Miss.” She smiled, “I’ve never seen him do that before. I won’t lie and say he’s gentle or kind to anyone, at least not in my presence. He’s a powerful man, and I suppose to an extent if he were gentle and kind, that would diminish his control over the world.”
“Hmm,” I hummed, looking down at the array before me. “Thank you.”
“Of course, Miss.”
“Please, call me Ari,” I said with a smile, and she smiled back and bowed her head, but didn’t agree to it before walking away to clean up other plates and dishes around the room.
Beforelong,Iwasall done up with perfect hair and makeup, as were my sisters and it was nearing sunset.
Which meant my wedding had arrived.
I stepped into the wedding gown I’d had no say in choosing, which matched the decision-making of my hair, makeup, and even my nail color. I would admit that the gown was beautiful, even if it wasn’t my style.
It was lace, with a sweetheart neckline and fitted bodice around my body with a heavy long train of the ornate design. The veil I wore was nearly as long, draped down my back to add to the effect of the entire ensemble.
“You look beautiful, Miss,” Molly said with her hands clasped in front of her heart. “Like a queen.”
I smirked and took a shuddered breath as I tried to fight through the nerves. My talk with Molly earlier, and the little ‘gifts’ that Mr. Capasso, Nicolas, had delivered to me throughout the day had eased a bit of apprehension in my stomach about the entire event. But it didn’t remove it completely, and going off the tonic cold turkey had left me feeling on edge and raw because I was forced to feel things for the first time in forever.
To be honest, there was excitement at the prospect of adventure underneath the fear and anger over the entire situation.
I just hoped he wasn’t old and ugly.
Or mean.
Or vile.
Or… any number of other disgusting traits.
“Wow.” My brother Carmine walked into my room in a sharp black tux. “Sunshine, you look beautiful.”
I smiled at him and gave him my cheek when he leaned down to kiss me. “Thank you, Car.”
“I’ve been sent to fetch you,” he said putting his elbow out for me, and I didn’t miss the way his easy-going smile slipped a bit.
“Does it feel like you’re leading me to the firing squad?” I asked him, “Because that’s kind of what it feels like to me,” I said quietly as he led me from the room. Molly carried my veil and train silently behind us, but I felt comfortable talking freely in front of her. However, Saul and Dio trailed down the stairs behind her, though, so I didn’t feel as free.
“If I could stop this, Ari, I would,” Carmine said firmly and I hated the way I could feel the anger aimed at himself from that statement. He blamed himself for not being powerful enough to end it yet. “When I lead this family, these sick traditions will stop.”
With a sad smile, I patted his arm. “We both know, even in the grave, Father will pull the strings of this family for years to come.”
“Maybe,” he sighed, but I believed that he wanted to try to change things. I just hoped that maybe he’d get to that place before Anita and Amelia faced the same fate as me.
“There you are!” my father hissed as we approached him. He stood by the doors to the backyard pacing back and forth. “I was nearly on my way up to drag you down here by your hair, you insolent child.”
