“I do.”
His voice is steady, like he means it.
“Do you, Adriana Elizabeth DiMicheli, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward?”
I slant a look behind me. Everyone is watching. Eamon’s smug smile taunts me and I want to punch it off his face. Luna grips Mom’s hand. Vincenzo nods at me. They’re all smiling,trying to provide me the comfort I know I can never have. Not as long as I’m trapped like a rat in a cage.
This is it. No going back.
“I do.” The words scrape out of my throat.
“By the power vested in me by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, I now pronounce you husband and wife.” The judge looks up at us. “You may kiss the bride.”
Lochlan turns to me. His hand comes up to cup my jaw. His fingers are gentle as they graze my skin.
He leans in. My breath catches as his lips brush mine. The kiss is soft and brief, over before it begins.
But his other hand finds my waist. It settles there, warm through the silk of my dress.
And it lingers.
He pulls back, his mouth close to my ear when he murmurs, “Breathe, wife.”
“Don’t call me that,” I whisper back.
His lips twitch. “Too late. It’s on.”
The reception is at a private room in a restaurant downtown called Noir and Nectar. It’s intimate, expensive, and suffocating as hell.
I shake hands with our guests, accept congratulations that feel like condolences, and smile until my jaw aches.
My cousin Riccardo finds me near the bar where I’m nursing a flute of champagne. I swallow a groan when I see him approach. The guy is a real asshole… condescending, entitled, and jealous of anyone who has more than him. Dad made a promise to his brother on his deathbed, which has kept Riccardo alive and employed. But Riccardo, ungrateful prick that he is, never lets anyone forget he thinks he deserves more than what he’s been given.
“Adriana.” He doesn’t offer his hand or try to kiss my cheek.He just looks me up and down with that slimy smile I’ve hated since I was twelve. “Congratulations. Though I have to say, I’m surprised.”
“Surprised by what?” I ask in a bored voice, looking past him to see if anyone is close enough to save me from whatever bullshit he has to spew.
“That you’re the one Francesco chose to handle things. While he’s… indisposed.” His eyes glitter with something ugly. “I assumed someone with more experience would step in.”
“Experience in what, exactly?”
“Running things. Making decisions.” He sips his scotch. “It’s a lot for someone who’s spent most of her life playing in boardrooms instead of doing real work.”
My fingers tighten around the stem of my champagne glass. “Real work. Like what you do?”
“I’ve been part of this family’s operations for thirty years, Adriana. I understand how things work. The relationships. The politics.” He leans closer. “You’re out of your league and everyone knows it. They’re just too scared to say anything. But I’m not going to stand by and keep my mouth shut. I’m not afraid. So watch your step. This world eats people who don’t know their place.”
He stalks away before I can respond. I grip my champagne glass so hard I’m surprised it doesn’t shatter.
“Don’t let him get to you.” I turn with a gasp, startled. Vincenzo stops beside me, his voice low.
“Riccardo is a bitter man who’s spent his whole life envious of what others have.” He puts a hand on my shoulder. “Your father keeps him close because of a promise, not because he’s earned it. Everyone knows that. Including Riccardo, which is why he’s so biting.”
I take a long gulp of my champagne, the bubbles fizzing in my nose as I swallow. “He’s not wrong, though. I am out of my league.” I’d only ever admit that to this man.
“No.” Vincenzo’s voice is firm as he stares at me. “You areexactly where you need to be. Where your father wanted you to be. I know this isn’t what you chose,bella mia.I know the sacrifice you’re making. And I want you to know, everyone sees it. Your father sees it, even if he can’t say so right now.”
My throat tightens. “Zio… ” I croak.
