Page 52 of His Vicious Vow
“What about Carlo? You aren’t going to get into trouble for taking me with you, are you?”
Shaking his head, he runs a finger over my lips. “As far as the city of Chicago is concerned we married a few hours before you got on the plane. We’re on our honeymoon. Carlo was pissed but accepted it to protect his pride.”
“What about the…” I breathe deep, pushing down the fear. “The whole someone out to kill you thing?”
He presses his lips against my trembling mouth. “Dealt with. It’s safe for you at my side. I told you, piccolina, many men have wanted me dead but none have succeeded and they won’t. Especially now that I have a wife and a half dozen little girls to be here for.”
Sandro is everything mafia and for the first time in my life I can admit I don’t hate it—it makes me feel safe. I kiss him with all the longing that’s been building since I left him.
I want to cry when he pulls away. “One more minute of you in my arms and we won’t leave the room. And we must, someone is waiting for us.”
“Who?” I’m curious.
“Come along and you’ll find out.” Gripping my hand tightly he pulls me behind him. I’m not sure where he’s going but I will follow him anywhere he goes. It only takes a few minutes before I recognize the street. My stomach is twisting with nerves when he stops at the closed door of the dress store. He knocks.
An older woman, elegant with graying hair opens the door. She smiles widely at him. Her Italian is fast and staccato. “Ah, I was wondering when I was going to see you again. I have everything as you requested.” Her eyes run over me. “Finally you bring me your bride. I see your measurements were correct but still she must try on the dress.”
She goes to the mannequin in the window and takes it down.
I look to Sandro. “How do you have my measurements?”
“Lydia, the dresses you had altered she needed them for. Be aware Ms. Antonio is ever so slightly annoyed with me for my demand the dress be ready in two weeks.”
The woman is back with the dress. “He’s crazy. I will get no sleep until it is done. Come come, you try it on. The bride I made this for was taller and thinner and bitchier. I’m so glad I didn’t sell it to her. Her fiancé didn’t come to the shop but complain over the cost. Not like your fiancé. He demand a dress for you that you will love. I have made adjustments but not sewed everything up—it is pinned only so you will be careful as you try it on. Ah, he was quite right in describing your bosom. I think the best way to show off your waist and contain your bosom is to add a corset.”
“A corset?” I’m disappointed at the idea of a corset.
“Why you no want a corset?” She demands.
I shrug. “All the dresses I’ve seen with a corset, it becomes like a focus of the dress. I love the shoulders and the skirt even if I’m worried the skirt will be too much with how short I am. But I do love the skirt.”
She seems to consider my words. Finally, she nods. “I understand, yes, yes. You are right. However, since I’m already building things into this dress, not cutting it and putting things together, I can hide the corset. Go on, at least try so we can see how it fits.”
Going into the back room I tense at how close she is behind me. I worry she’s going to watch me change. Thankfully she leaves me alone with the dress in what I swear is the tiniest changing room ever. Stepping into the dress I don’t even try and zip it up. Oh, it’s so beautiful. I look like a fairy princess.
I step out of the changing room. She’s waiting. “Hm, yes, you will need a corset but as I said I can build it beneath so it doesn’t show except in the back. Tell me, now is the time, what do you like or not like or want to change?”
Running a hand down the front of it, I turn to see it from all angles. “I love it. It’s perfection. Even the skirt.” I point at the roses. “I’m glad you added them with the sparkles in the center.”
She chuckles. “Your man said you would love those that the skirt was too boring.”
“He said to add it?” I’m stunned.
“Oh yes, he’s also why I added the pearl and crystal beading along the neckline. He didn’t care about the cost. It’s fun when they say no worries about cost.”
Sandro appears.
“Sandro! You can’t see it before the wedding day. It’s unlucky.” I pout. We need all the luck we can get.
Those blue eyes are glowing again. “Gorgeous.” Blue meets mine and takes my breath away. Step by slow step brings him to within inches of me. “We make our own luck in this life, my dear wife.”
The laughter of the woman pulls us apart. “So sweet. I love what I do. Now go on with you. I need to get her out of it to begin working immediately.” She shoos him out.
After I’m back in my clothes I go to the front of the small shop and find Sandro on his phone. He’s talking to someone about setting up our flight plan.
When he ends the call I’m suddenly shy. An eyebrow goes up. “You liked the dress?”
I nod. “Yes, it’s beautiful. Thank you. I’m so glad I called you. Better pearl decorated dresses and flying private than slinging a backpack around Europe and trying to find a job probably waitressing or something. I am not cut out for it the way I thought I could be. I’ve hated the idea of even washing my clothes without a dryer.” I force a laugh.