AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My head is still no clearer than it was last week.
“You are beautiful,” my mother compliments proudly.
I stare in the mirror, and the face that stares back at me is a stranger’s. She’s smiling. Her cheeks are glowing, and her eyes are bright. Carefree might be a better description. But my heart is heavy. I look around the room through the mirror for a different perception. Both my sisters and my mother are happy and in love.
Could they be faking it?
Can I be forgiven for starting a war? Or maybe they won’t know it was me when I kill Fin. Or will they see the destruction of my past and crucify me anyway? It reminds me of the tales of witches being burned at the stake. In the end, it was all a disaster because both sides did not understand each other.
“Don’t you go crying on me. It will ruin all of my hard work,” my mother teases and grabs a tissue to dab under my eyes.
“Who would have thought that Luna is a real girl underneath all that badassary?” Aria jokes.
“Love is a powerful thing,” Gia tries coming to my defense, and I give her a smile. If only they knew the reason for my unshed tears.
My cat jumps onto the dressing table, and I pick her up.
“Who let Fanny in?” my mother complains. “She’s going to shed all over your wedding dress.”
Fanny is scooped from my arms, but not before I push my face into her soft fur. “Do not kick her outside,” I demand.
My mother rolls her eyes and argues, “She’s an outside cat.”
“Don’t. Anyone. Dare.” I turn to look at the room to make sure everyone knows I’m serious.
“It’s funny. I would have expectedmeto have a huge wedding and you to have the small, intimate one.” There’s no jealousy or animosity in Gia’s tone. I know she would never change a thing about her wedding day. Hers would have been larger if she weren’t already pregnant when she got married. The family blamed the lack of invites on not wanting another red wedding on our hands.
I smile, thinking how everyone expects bloodshed at a wedding. Emotions run high; people are easily offended. Now, fill the room full of criminals who get gun-happy, and that’s a real recipe for disaster to strike.
A banging at the door sounds, and my mother goes to check who it is. I can hear Fin yelling outside, demanding to see me. My foot steps forward as my heart lurches in the same direction. I can feel the desperation in his voice.
Does he already know?
“It’s bad luck to see the bride,” I holler. No one is getting past Momma Rossi when she’s in charge.
“Luna!” he calls. “I’ll turn around so we can’t see each other. I just need to feel you.”
My stomach drops, my head becomes light, and I have to take a step back to place a hand on the table.
“Mr. O’Conner, you will let go of this door right away.”
I can’t face him, not yet.
I can feel my sister’s eyes on me before they hurry to help my mother.
“Where is she?” he growls.
One of my sisters shrieks, and I can hear determined footsteps. My eyes focus on the mirror, and the distance it gives allows me to cage my heart. My mother, in the background, is saying a prayer, while my sisters tend to her meltdown about traditions.
I watch him walk in with his eyes closed and his hands out in front protecting himself if he knocks into anything. “Luna.” There’s a desperation in his voice, that crushes me.
Hesitantly, I turn to face him. “Open your eyes, Fin.” Nothing about this wedding has been normal, why start with silly traditions this late in the game. He looks at me in awe, and the heat of a blush spreads up my neck.
“You shouldn’t be here,” I whisper.
His hands move toward me, but he pauses. “You complete me in a way I could have never comprehended untilwehappened. I’m sorry I barged in. I can’t explain it, but I’m going crazy with you not by my side.”
He looks so sincere in his suit. I step into his embrace, and for once, his gun holster doesn’t push against my cheek when I rest my head on him.
