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He was?
Glancing over her shoulder, she found that Gio was, indeed, watching them closely. The smile lingering on her lips faded as his coal-black eyes focused on it. But just as quickly, as if she’d imagined it, he turned back to his advisor. Back to business.
She shook her head, resigned. “Let’s go.”
In the grand hall, their table was thankfully nowhere near the rest of the guests. It stood on a raised dais at the front of the room, allowing them to overlook the enormous crowd.
The bride and groom’s chairs were in the middle of the table, with their families flanking them on either side: Antonio and her aunt were to her left, and to the right of Gio’s vacant seat was his sister. The girl was in deep conversation with Antonio, the two of them giggling.
Ana’s heart warmed, as it always did, seeing the two of them together.
“Ana!” The younger girl grinned at her, reaching over from her chair to hug her. “Oh my God, your dress was amazing. It is amazing. You look so pretty.”
“Gabi couldn’t stop raving about you,” her cousin chimed in, smirking. “I think she took a thousand pictures of you like a little stalker.”
“Tony!”
“Don’t tell me you didn’t.”
The two of them began squabbling, and Ana relaxed into her seat, glad that they were entertaining themselves.
Her aunt was busy as well. Ana spotted the older woman in the crowd, mingling with the other families. She was most likely bragging to everyone about the fabulously expensive wedding setup. Ana had urged her to keep it simple, but her aunt had been horrified at the thought of skimping on the ‘wedding of the century.’ And there was no denying it. Every inch of the room was covered in extravagant flowers and crystal décor, and bottles of the most expensive champagne were flowing like water.
Gio had never complained about the cost. But then again, she had seen him just a handful of times over their two-year engagement.
She took a sip of her drink, glancing at his empty seat.
Pausing, she noticed, for the first time, another seat at the far right after Gabriella’s. It was empty, except for a small photo frame. Leaning over, she sucked in a breath in recognition. Gio’s parents. She had only met them twice before, once at Tony’s betrothal and the second time at hers. They had been kind–far kinder than she’d expected from the leaders of the Family.
And gone too soon.
Her heart wrenched, surprised that Gio had taken care to highlight their memory at this grand occasion. Most other lesser men would have hidden any signs of sensitivity and grief. And until now, she would have expected Gio to be one of them.
What an odd man.
Now, her husband.
Shaking her head in disbelief, she downed the rest of the champagne. And as if she’d summoned him from her thoughts, Gio emerged from a back door with his advisor trailing after him. The short, balding man appeared agitated, arguing intently, but Gio was unbothered. He was as cool as ever as he waved off the man with a quick flick of his hand before striding up to the front of their table.
The crowd started to fall silent, murmuring as they noticed his presence.
Cold, commanding, and cunning.
Their Don.
With a regal nod, Gio turned to raise a champagne glass at his sister, who beamed happily, at her cousin and aunt, and then lastly, at her. Something shifted faintly in his eyes before he dismissed her just as easily as the rest.
Ana sat back, deflated.
Facing the crowd again, Gio stood with the glass high above his head and waited. He said not one word until hundreds of glasses rose from the crowd, following his command. Someone in the room clanged their fork against a glass, calling for attention. But it was unnecessary. Everyone watched him with rapt focus.
“Brothers, sisters,” his voice rang, crisp and clear, his eyes sharp. “Words cannot express the joy I have at your presence today. I am honored to have the support of the Family, and to have gained such an esteemed and beautiful woman as mi donna.”
Flustered, Ana managed to recover from the praise and smiled at the crowd.
“The Pittsburgh faction, in particular, has been a powerful and valuable force in the Family.” He gestured to her aunt. “I am glad to unite us through marriage. As Don, I vow to preserve our joint strength and increase our might against the forces that threaten to sever us.”
A round of cheers rang out.
