Page 62 of His Vicious Vow

Then he’s leaning down for the kiss. It’s nothing more than a soft press of his lips against mine.

We’re walking back down the aisle. Is that a two-time grammy winning singer? That is definitely an actor who is regularly nominated for an Oscar but has yet to win one. They came here? I stumble at the idea of who else might be in the crowd.

“I have you. Keep walking with your head up. They think you’re beautiful. Everyone is wondering what you saw in me to say yes.” He teases.

His smile is back, I can’t help but laugh at his preposterous words. Natasha keeps us walking to a room where a photographer is waiting. The pictures feel like they take forever. I paste a smile on when the photographer poses me with my mother and Carlo. Carlo’s words haunt me as I smile at my mother and hug her for the photos.

The memory of the words make me stiffer with Sandro. I catch him studying me but don’t dare meet his eyes. Finally the photos are over and we go into another ballroom that is everything I dreamed of down to the twinkle lights above the dance floor.

We’re announced as we walk through the door. I go still at all eyes on us. Once again Sandro feels it. “Come on, beautiful. Show them your smile.”

I force the smile. I’m being walked to the dance floor. The song begins the moment Sandro takes me into his arms. I blush at him when I recognize Sam Cooke’s You Send Me. “I’m sorry. I completely forgot to pick the song.”

Sandro shrugs, “Don’t worry about it. I should contribute something more than the guest list and money. Are you all right? Did Carlo or your mother do or say something to upset you?”

It’s scary how he knows stuff sometimes. “I’m fine. It’s just a lot. I tried to sleep last night but I didn’t really get any more than a few hours broken up.”

His nod of acceptance relieves me. “With all the planning and now the penthouse finished you will be able to take some time to relax.”

The song is over too fast. Other’s join us on the dance floor as the music switches to the ten piece orchestra.

Two hours later as we are finishing dinner that I could barely eat a bite of Gaetano approaches Sandro. With a press of his lips against my temple Sandro whispers he’ll be right back.

Only he isn’t right back, it’s almost twenty minutes before he sits down again. One arm goes over the back of my chair. “There’s an issue. I need to leave, along with several of my men. Will you help please?”

Fear shoots through me. He sees it, his eyes tell me not to be afraid. Yeah, right. I nod. “What do you want me to do?”

“Follow my lead. We’re leaving early to enjoy our wedding night.” His tone is dry. Everyone is aware this isn’t our actual wedding, rather a ceremony to celebrate with our friends and family.

“Okay.” I force the word out.

He grasps me by my hand and pulls me up. I’m up and in his arms. I wrap an arm around his neck and attempt a laugh as I bury my face in his neck.

All around us people are laughing and men are whistling as Sandro walks us out of the ballroom. It’s several feet out of the ballroom before I can’t hear them anymore.

We’re in the elevator where Gaetano is waiting. Sandro sets me down on my feet. “How bad is it?”

“Not bad. The women are safe. They weren’t able to breach security. Which is how we lost two men. Our men made us proud. They took out five of them, roasting a car filled with them and returning fire another of their men were hit.”

Fear sends a shiver through me. Sandro misses nothing. “It’s going to be all right. We can’t let this go unanswered. I’m just going to go and blow some shit up for them to regret it. I’m sorry for cutting the night short.”

“It’s fine. Really.” He’s got enough on his mind, he doesn’t need to worry about me too. With a press of his lips against my cheek he’s gone.

I keep my eyes on him until he disappears. This is the life. Once again Carlo is right. A good mafia wife doesn’t argue. She doesn’t ask where he’s going in the middle of the night or even the middle of our wedding. She accepts everything with a placid disposition and a smile she learns to fake.

I’m going to have to learn my fake smile. I have a feeling I’ll be using it a lot

* * *

Sandro

Once again I’m walking away from Carina when all I want is to stay. Something is going on with her. It started last night. But for just a moment while we danced she felt like she was finally leaning into me.

Fuck that we’re legally married. I wanted her to have the wedding of her dreams. She’s never having another one, she deserved it. The last thing she should remember of her wedding day was me leaving her to deal in death. For once I wish she weren’t so understanding. Why couldn’t she yell, pitch a fit or something? Something to make me feel less guilty.

Luca is coming up in the elevator as Gaetano and I approach it.

“What’s going on?” He asks.