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Chapter Seven
Alceu
“Are you sure this is what you want to do?” Severu asks for the tenth time in the last hour.
“Will you stop asking me that?” I say with a growl in return. “Giulia is a means to an end. It’s time to take Salvador out, and this is only the first step on that path.”
“It doesn’t hurt that she’s drop-dead gorgeous.” Mancuso smiles.
“She’ll be your sister-in-law within the next hour.” Stefano rolls his eyes toward the ceiling. “Keep it in your damn pants.”
I can’t stand another round of sibling bickering. They are driving me up the walls. After pouring myself a scotch, I take a large sip then clear my throat.
“I don’t care if you think this is a good idea, whether she’s hot, or any other qualms any of you may have. I am the head of this family, and the decision has been made. Live with it.”
I finish my drink and leave my office, knowing my brothers will follow. It’s almost time, and we should all get to where we are supposed to be. The entire back lawn has been transformed. A wedding planner was brought in to do everything, at a fortune I might add, but just looking at it, I think it was money well spent.
In the two weeks since I started formulating this plan, I have gone to great lengths to learn everything I could about Giulia. From her favorite flowers, colors, food, and everything in between. And I have used this information to ensure our wedding is something she can enjoy too.
Standing alone beside the priest, I look down the aisle, waiting for her to appear. Everything is decorated in white with purple accents. Arum lilies on every available surface. In the seats beside the aisle are a mix of people. Made men, legitimate business partners, the chief of police and his wife, and even some politicians. The fact is when I call, everyone falls in line. Power has its perks.
A hush falls over the gathering as the first chords of harp music plays. Everyone turns to see the bride walk down the aisle, just as expected. What I wasn’t counting on though is my reaction to seeing her.
Giulia is wearing a cream figure-hugging dress that is cut low over her ample breasts with a lace overlay, keeping it classy and modest. Her hair is a waterfall of dark curls hanging down her back, her lips painted a deep red. She walks down the aisle with her shoulders drawn back, confidence in every step.
My cock twitches behind my pants, and for a moment, I wish I would have the privilege of helping her out of that dress later tonight. My thoughts catch me by surprise, and I frown, concentrating on getting my dick under control.
When Giulia reaches me, I take both her hands in mine and nod toward the priest who begins the ceremony. Giulia keeps her gaze locked on me the entire time, reciting her vows and pledging to be mine, now and forever. As do I.
Sliding my mother’s ring onto Giulia’s finger, I think of all the plans I had as a young man. I had always wanted more. A relationship like my parents had, one built on love and mutual respect. But I never had the time to find a woman I could have that with. Raising my brothers after my parents died, becoming the head of the family, and growing our power and influence into what it is today were always more important. I wonder if given time, could Giulia and I learn to love one another?
The priest clears his throat, pulling me back to the present. I stare at him, waiting to hear what I missed, but he doesn’t speak again, a blush coloring the older man’s cheeks. Giulia squeezes my hands, drawing my attention to her.
“Kiss me,” she whispers.
Shit! I missed the prompt. But I take it in stride, cupping her soft face in both of my hands. Lowering my lips to hers, I kiss her gently, planning on keeping it chaste. The moment our lips connect, though, I can’t help myself. What was planned to be soft and sweet quickly escalates as I plunder her mouth, my hands straying to her hips, pulling her curvy body against mine.
Both of us are lost to the kiss until someone clears their throat. Giulia stares up at me with flushed cheeks, her breasts heaving as she fights to get her breathing under control.
“I give to you Mr. and Mrs. Cammareri,” the priest announces loudly.
People clap and cheer as I take my bride’s hand in mine and lead her back down the aisle toward the marques tent that has been set up for the reception.
****
After what feels like hours and a million photos, we finally reach the reception. Speeches ensue and take forever before we are served any food. I’m thankful Giulia seems to be just as bored as I am by all the proceedings.
Finally, everything is done, and we can relax. Giulia has done beautifully, laughing at the things she should and nodding when appropriate, acting the part perfectly. I see the intellect she tries so hard to hide, although her sharp eyes give her away. She constantly assesses everyone around her, remaining vigilant. From the outside looking in, I’m sure we look like the perfect couple, perfectly in love. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. We are just two strangers playing the part.
On the other side of the dance floor, a ruckus erupts, and I know the moment I have been waiting for these past hours has finally arrived. Salvador has finally shown up.
I paid the chief of police handsomely to let it slip in front of one of Salvador’s men that my wedding was happening tonight and that he would be attending. He also may have mentioned I was marrying Giulia.
My men have Salvador surrounded and well under control as he enters the reception. I don’t rise from my seat, not paying him any mind or respect. Taking Giulia’s hand in mine, I draw her gaze back to me. I can see the fear and confusion in her eyes, but when I wink at her, she smiles back. How easily she places her trust in me. Yet, I feel a surge of pride that she has chosen to do so.
“Salvador,” I greet casually. “To what do we owe this honor?”
“Don’t bullshit me, Alceu!” he roars. “You had no right to marry Giulia. You knew good and well that her father had already promised her hand to me.”
“What her father promised you is between the two of you,” I say nonchalantly.
“Giulia is mine!” he thunders, his face growing redder by the second.
“No.” Giulia speaks from beside me, her voice strong. “I don’t belong to anyone. You and my father had decided that we would marry. It had nothing to do with me and what I wanted but with you and your needs.”
“Shut up, woman!” he seethes at her. “This isn’t any of your business.”
My control snaps. As I stand, I level the gun I always carry with me directly at him. “Choose your words carefully when speaking to my wife. I will not hesitate to shoot you.”
Giulia places her smaller hand over mine. “Trust me,” she whispers.
Taking my gun from me, she has a beautiful smile on her face. She clearly has a plan, so I go along with it. If she can trust me blindly, shouldn’t I return the favor? Besides, my brothers and men surround us. What could possibly go wrong?
“Leave, Sal,” she says loudly. Calling him Sal is the ultimate disrespect. “If someone is going to fuck up my wedding day by spilling your blood, it’s going to be me.”
“This won’t be the last you see of me. Either of you. I will have what I was promised,” he replies, rage and madness swimming in his eyes as he turns away.
“And Sal?” I call to his retreating form.
He turns to face us. Knowing I have his full attention, I grab Giulia by the ass, pulling her flush against my body before plundering her mouth for long moments. When I pull back, he is gone.
