Page 69 of Vengeful Vows

For better or worse, I will go through with this.

For better or worse? It’s more like for awful or even more awful.

“Thank you. But I’m obligated.” I extend my hand for my bouquet.

“I’ll be here for you, no matter what.”

At the coordinator’s urging, Amelia and I follow her from the room.

Amelia starts down the aisle, and I take a quick look around.

The small chapel is packed with Nico’s associates and extended family, including Lorenzo and his wife Zara.

My brother and his fiancée are in the first row on one side.

The don, his wife, and their sons are on the other.

I pretend not to notice the number of bodyguards throughout the space, even though this is a church.

As Amelia reaches the front, her assistant straightens my train and tucks a strand of hair back into place.

“You really are a beautiful bride.”

I smile to thank her. If only this was a wedding I wanted…

The music changes, and the officiant asks everyone to stand.

After squeezing my eyes shut, fighting off the instinct to flee, I bring my chin up.

“Go ahead,” the chapel’s coordinator encourages me. “Much happiness to you.”

The one emotion I’ll never feel again.

For a moment, I hesitate as I meet Nico’s eyes. For the flash of a second, it’s just the two of us.

In his tuxedo with a small rose boutonniere pinned to the lapel, he’s even more breathtakingly handsome than I can imagine. But even from this distance, I’m fixated on his jagged scar, reminding me how dangerous he is.

He’s waiting, but impatience is written in his gaze.

Slowly, determinedly meeting my fate, I take the steps that will lead me to Nico’s side.

When I reach him, he takes my hand. Then in case I might attempt to yank free, he tightens his grip slightly.

The minister drones on, and I detach myself from what’s happening.

Eventually he clears his throat, making me realize I need to recite my vows.

I hand off my flowers to Amelia who smiles reassuringly before Nico and I face each other

“Smile,” he encourages softly.

“No,” I whisper back.

He can compel my commitment but not my joy.

Dutifully, my voice flat, I recite my vows.

Nico was not happy when I insisted on leaving out the wordobey.Too bad. I may be his forever, but I refuse to let him control everything.