“Are you prepared to accept children lovingly from God and to bring them up according to the law of Christ and his Church?”
His question, along with the child already in my belly, sent the room spinning slightly. When I grew lightheaded and swayed on my feet, Rafe’s hand came out to steady me.
The reassuring look in his eyes made me think he believed I’d faltered at the idea of what producing children entailed.
If only he knew….
After giving him a grateful look, I turned my attention back to the priest. “I am.”
“I am,” Rafe answered.
“Since it is your intention to enter the covenant of Holy Matrimony, join your right hands, and declare your consent before God and his Church.”
After we joined hands, the priest turned his attention to Rafe. “Repeat after me. I, Raphael Alessio Neretti, take you, Andrea Cecilia Caruso, to be my wife. I promise to be faithful to you, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love you and to honor you all the days of my life.”
When Rafe didn’t respond, I peeked up at him. His unfocused eyes stared into nothingness. After squeezing his hands, Rafe snapped out of his stupor with a shake of his head. “I’m sorry. What?”
The priest gave him a funny look. “I said repeat after me. I, Raphael Alessio Neretti, take you, Andrea Cecilia Caruso, to be my wife. I promise to–”
“No.”
Every molecule in my body shuddered to a stop at Rafe’s proclamation. Was he actually doing what I thought he was doing? Was he about to stop the ceremony?
As gasps and murmurs rang through the crowd, the priest’s eyes widened. “Excuse me?”
With an apologetic smile, Rafe said, “I’m so sorry, but I can’t marry you.”
Oh God, I was right. Relief like I’d never known washed over me. It was so intense I once again swayed on my feet. But it didn’t stop me from answering, “It’s okay.”
But it was more than just okay. It was glorious and amazing and life-altering. My joy was cut short when a growl erupted behind us. “It’s certainlynotokay!” Father shouted.
As Raphael and I whirled around to face him, Father sprang from his seat. With a menacing expression, he demanded, “Did I not make myself clear before about what would happen if you backed out of this wedding, or would you like to have every single Neretti business go up in smoke?”
“Yes, you did. But I can’t do this. It’s not fair to Andrea or myself.”
“Youvigliacco bastardo!” Father screeched.
Raphael held his hands up. “I’ll find a way to make this insult up to you.”
“You’ve made a fool out of me in front of my family and friends. There isnoway to make up this insult except through a marital alliance.”
Shaking his head, Rafe replied, “I won’t do it.”
“I didn’t want it to have to be this way, but you’ve forced my hand.”
At that moment, Father reached into his suit pocket. My heart shuddered to a stop in shock and horror as he jerked out a gun and pointed it at Rafe.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO: LEO
For the first time in my life, I didn’t think about my brother’s safety or put him first in my mind. Instead, the moment I saw the gleam of steel in Edoardo’s hand, I could only think of Drea. The panic rising within me sent me rushing past Rafe.
Grabbing her by the upper arm, I jerked Drea behind me, shielding her from her Father’s wrath.
At her alarmed squeak, I threw a glance over my shoulder. “Are you okay?” I whispered.
Although she bobbed her head, fear radiated in her dark eyes. With her hand still in mine, I squeezed it tight.
“You’re no man of honor if you came carrying to a wedding,” Rafe spat.
