Page 68 of Explosive Union

I don’t speak as I climb into the waiting car, Elio right behind me. Neither of us have spoken to our father since he dropped the bomb about what was happening to him. I’m still seething.

But the deal with the Irish, fast tracking Dario, the secrets. It all makes sense. None of which I agree with, but he’s been gearing up for me to take over. He’s been forging the path so that when I do, it’ll be seamless. I appreciate the gesture, but I fucking hate the way he’s gone about it.

It doesn’t take us long to arrive at the church. The parking lot is filled with cars. Irish and Italian men litter the grounds, talking and generally getting along. Something that wouldn’t have happened years ago, but the marriage of Dante Bianchi and Makenna Gallagher has proven that the two can work alongside each other. Now it’s the Gallos turn to unite with a Gallagher.

“Now’s your last chance to run, bro,” Dario grins from his position beside Elio at the altar. I’m seriously regretting letting him be a groomsman. “It’s not as though you even like her. Hell, just because you’ve fucked her, it doesn’t mean the deal’s done. You can run.”

I glare at him. Why the hell do my brothers think it’s necessary to talk about Jade like that? “Our sex life is none of your business,” I snarl at him. He’s pushing me today, and if he carries on, I’m going to fucking end him.

Elio’s chuckle is low. “Damn, bro, when did you two stop hating each?”

I ignore him. Bastard.

“Oh, I see how it is,” he comments. “Hating each other must make the se—”

“Say it,” I dare him with a glare. “I’ll take your tongue.”

“You’ve got that maniac glare going on,” Viviana says from her seat at the front of the church. She’s seated between our mother and Adelina with a bright smile on her face. She’s never afraid. Her youth and naivety make her resilient to our anger.

My father keeps glancing at his watch and then to the door. I turn away and face forward. The priest is ready. We’re just waiting on Jade. Her family are seated to my left, her mom beaming with joy, whereas both Hayes and Hayden look less than pleased.

A hush falls over the guests, and I know Jade’s here.

“Damn, bro,” Elio whispers in awe.

I turn my head, and every single thought leaves me. My cock tightens beneath my pants, and all oxygen vanishes.

Utter perfection.

Jade is always gorgeous, no matter what she wears, with or without makeup. But seeing her dressed in her white lace wedding gown, she’s even more beautiful than I could have ever imagined.

“Breathe, bro.” Elio’s words are low and filled with amusement.

I’m completely enthralled as she walks toward me, arm in arm with her father, and her eyes firmly on mine. Her dress is molded to her body. Lace runs along her breasts, showing just a hint of cleavage. The lace runs up along her shoulders, and if she were to turn, I'd no doubt see it run down her back. Her strides are perfectly in tune with the music. Neither one of us deny the pull that’s got us by a chokehold.

"Beautiful,Mia Cara," I whisper hoarsely once she's standing before me.

"You scrub up well, Roc." She grins with a mischievous twinkle in her bright blue eyes.

The ceremony passes in a blur, my thoughts on the woman standing beside me looking like a tempting angel. I can't wait to strip her out of the amazing dress she's wearing and peel whatever underwear she's wearing off her body. Her black hair is tied up into some sophisticated updo, hidden beneath the veil she's wearing.

"You may kiss the bride," the priest announces.

I pull her toward me, my hands sliding around her waist. "All mine," I tell her mere moments before our lips touch.

I've learned a lot of things about my wife, but there are a few I've yet to uncover. Like how the hell is it that every time that we kiss, I feel as though I’m drunk?

The kiss is hard and fast and filled with a promise of what’s yet to come. Finally, the woman is all mine. Every single inch of her belongs to me. I pull back, and she glares at me. I love the fact that she doesn't care about where we are. She wants what she wants.

"Behave." I nip at her lip as I pull back. "If you're a good girl, I'll find us somewhere private to fulfill your needs.”

Her eyes narrow dangerously. "Oh, Rocco, it's time you learned that a woman does not need a man to fulfil her. Ever."

"That may be true,Mia cara, but the things you crave can only be fulfilled by one thing."

"Shut up," she snarls, while plastering on a fake smile on her face.

"Shameful," I hear her grandmother hiss. "Wearing white and her not even pure. Disgracing our lord like that."