I released a shaky breath and reluctantly followed her out of the bedroom, down the stairs, where Tomasso was indeed waiting. He smiled at me as I descended. He wore a black suit, and his gray, thinning hair was slicked back. He was indeed a handsome man, just like his sons. They were all very handsome and, unfortunately, all equally unhinged.
“You look radiant, Dior. Everyone is already seated, waiting for you. Buddha is anxious to make you his bride. Remember, just go with the flow. Smile when it’s needed and speak without saying too much. Please don’t try anything that might be considered telling what this wedding is really about. I’d hate for this wedding to turn into a funeral.” His facial expression hardened, and I knew he meant every last word.
“Oh, Tomasso, don't scare the poor girl on her special day. Never mind him, Dior. I’ll go take my seat and wait on you both,” Victoria kissed her maniac husband before she hurried out the back door into the yard, where the wedding was being kept.
Tomasso reached for my limp hand, interlocking it with his arm, and then he led me slowly to the door. Lorenzo was standing there waiting to open it so we could walk out.
“Mr. Ricci,” I paused and turned to face him, knowing this may be the only chance I get to ask this question.
“Yes,” he said with a hard look. I ignored his unwelcoming face and proceeded.
“Did my fat-, did Lewis start making any payments to you?” I needed to know because this information was important.
“No, he hasn’t. Now let’s go,” his words made my heart sink all the way down to my toes. My footsteps were robotic as I allowed Tomasso to guide me. I was screaming on the inside. How could Lewis do this to me? He just left me with these people, not even trying to get me back. My mother was probably rolling in her grave.
Lorenzo held the door open for us. He managed a weak smile my way as I walked out into the backyard. Everyone got to their feet when I emerged. The attendance was small. Victoria stood next to Sofia, who was holding Rocki in her arms. Francesco and his creepy son Luca were also here. Ciara stood alone, her face saying she would rather be someplace else. I then spotted Tomasso’s business associates with their wives. Of course, it was easy to see who the Russians were and who the Chinese were.
I felt their eyes on me as I slowly walked down the red carpet that was placed on the garden’s ground. At the end of the carpet was an arch made of nothing but beautiful pink and white roses. Then, there was Buddha. I hadn't seen him since yesterday, when he left me in his mother's care.
Since our little encounter in the room, he locked me in. My face flushed when I thought about what I allowed him to do. When he told me to sit on his lap, the last thing I believed was that he was going to bring my body to life as easily as he did. The way his fingers felt inside of me and the things he said as he made my juices flow so easily. Buddha’s way of punishing me was not allowing me to cum. Had me pleasuring myself at 2 am like a sex starved female.
I forced the memory out of my mind as I focused on the man who told me he was an Alpha as he thumped his chest as though he was King fucking Kong. Buddha was sorely mistakenif he thought I was the submissive type. He was about to learn the hard way that I wasn’t.
Our eyes locked as I made my way to him. He had never looked as handsome as he did right now. His curly hair was pulled into a tight bun at the top of his head. Not a single strand out of place. His facial hair, I could tell, had been trimmed and shaped by a barber, framing his handsome face.
His black suit fit him perfectly, accentuating his tall, magnificent body. His fingers were locked together in front of him. He lifted his right hand and rubbed his lower lip with the pad of his thumb. That simple gesture changed my breathing pattern. His face was expressionless, as were his eyes. I couldn’t tell how he was feeling. His brother stood next to him, serving as his best man. The Ricci family sure had taken everything into consideration.
Tomasso stopped when we reached his son. He kissed my hand before handing me over to Buddha. The pastor, surprisingly, was a black man; I guess that was Victoria’s doing. I was expecting an old Italian man. Buddha and I faced one another as the pastor began the ceremony.
It was all a blur, the words that were spoken. Snow handed his brother the ring to slip on my finger. I did the same to the man who was now my husband. We didn’t have any written vows, so that part was omitted.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss your bride,” the pastor said with a smile that showed a single dimple in his left cheek. Buddha boldly cupped my face, his eyes focused on my mouth. I held my breath as his head slowly dipped toward mine.
His kiss was gentle. His mouth tenderly devoured mine before I felt the tip of his tongue pry my lips open. I shyly allowed him to twirl his tongue around mine.
“Mmm,” a soft moan was heard before he broke our kiss. I looked at him and wondered whether it was him or me who moaned. The sound of applause broke my train of thought. Grabbing my hand, Buddha lifted it in the air as everyone cheered even louder.
I was now Mrs. Dior Ricci.
*****
“Congratulations, Phillipe, your wife is gorgeous,” Yelena Petrov said in a heavy Russian accent. I forced a smile as she and her husband came over to the table where Buddha and I were seated.
“Thank you, I only choose the best,” Buddha’s smug remark made me clench my jaw.
“It’s so lovely to meet you. Keeping up with Italian customs, this is for you,” Yelena handed me an envelope. I already knew it contained money. It was my third collection so far.
“Thank you so much,” I smiled, taking the envelope from her and placing it on top of the others.
“Phillipe, your father said you will be taking his spot with the upcoming deal we discussed,” Ivan spoke to Buddha, but he kept his eyes on me. I knew he was trying to read me, so I kept my composure under his scrutiny.
“Yes, I’m the man in charge from now on,” Buddha said, lifting his champagne flute and taking a sip.
“I look forward to it. Tell me how you and your new bride met?” Ivan asked, yet still his eyes remained glued on me. Reaching for my hand, Buddha grasped it protectively.
“Will you believe we met at one of those silly speed dating games? After I sat with her, I just knew I didn’t want another man to have the opportunity to snatch her up, so I did.” Buddha turned to me with a wide smile on his face. He lifted my hand so he could kiss my knuckles. I could tell he was enjoying thisway too much. It’s a good thing Victoria encouraged us to have a story of how we met.
“Congratulations again, I can’t wait to start doing business with you,” Ivan said, his Russian accent so thick his words were barely understandable. With those words, Ivan and his wife Yelena walked away from our table.
