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With a furrowed brow, I turned away and glanced outside. Taddeo's men had not escaped my notice. They would not be at their posts much longer; Fiero and Natale would see to that.
Did this man really think I didn't see through his schemes? He expected Amedea to escape and brought his men despite the damage to his reputation. He was probably unaware thatmywedding was being guarded by the men of the de Archards and not by some random guys who only paid attention to Amedea.
I watched Fiero take out two guys and move the lifeless bodies out of sight then, I turned to my bride and eyed her thoughtfully.
"You have to promise me one thing," I finally said. I could have threatened her. Dragged her to the altar under duress to show her father that he was nothing but a pawn. But then, I would be, in a sense, no better than he, and this course of action was out of the question.
"What?" she demanded, looking at me with narrowed eyes.
I would have bet my car that under normal circumstances, Amedea was the kind of woman who didn't have bad moods. She laughed a lot and was happy. You could see her impartiality in every step she took.
I probably should have used the last few days to ask Emilio about the woman I was planning to marry. Instead, I had been preoccupied with other things. They were no less important, only… perhaps I should have had a different priority.
"Promise me you won't try to escape. That would put you in danger, make me look stupid, and your father would probably try to kill you. All of that can be avoided."
She stared at me. I could easily understand what she thought. Escape seemed more tempting than facing the duties that had been involuntarily bestowed upon her. The flight seemed more exciting. More liberating. Offered more hope.
However, all this was nothing more than an illusion that one deluded oneself out of fear and ignorance of what awaited them.
I glanced over my shoulder and stepped toward her, immediately invading her privacy. The pulse at her neck fluttered. Was I intimidating her?
"I can assure you I don't intend to force you to do anything. It's only on paper. You can do whatever you want. That includes going back to work for my brother. I don't care. If killing your father had been a realistic option, I would have preferred that, too." I averted my eyes. She probably already knew about it anyway, but it certainly didn't hurt to remind her."I already had a wife. And I have no intention of replacing her, Amedea."
"Dea," she corrected. Her staring gaze rested on me.
I nodded. "Okay."
"What was her name?"
It was no secret. Still, I had to force the name across my lips. "Rina. And I don't talk about it."
Instead of waiting for her answer, I reached out to her and nodded toward the door. It was about time. We couldn't keep the guests waiting forever.
Her hesitation did not escape me, but I didn't comment on it. She should not feel more uncomfortable than was absolutely necessary.
"How's this going to play out?" she murmured.
"There will be a ceremony and a window of time for everyone to get on our nerves with their congratulations. After that, I will get in my car and get out of here. If you want to join me you are more than welcome." If she preferred to stay and celebrate with the others, that was fine with me. At the end of the day, she would end up in Tramonti after all. And there, in a way, the real fun would begin.
The area I had chosen to live in was not for everyone. Also, I had to ensure she didn't stick her curious nose everywhere until I found a new house for her. Preferably one that her father never found. Not even by accident.
Carlotta stuck her head through the crack in the door. "I don't mean to be a pain, but it might be time to show up for your wedding."
I continued holding out my hand to Amedea and glanced briefly at my sister.
She rolled her eyes. "Point taken. You look outstanding, by the way, Dea."
Carlotta sounded carefree. Apparently, she was the only one enjoying the festivities. It was no wonder, she had planned every detail.
Finally, Amedea reached for my hand, albeit cautiously.
I told myself this was just like one of those business meetings I hated. A nasty necessity. A duty that went hand in hand with all the benefits of being a de Archard.
Before I changed my mind and jumped out the nearest window, I held her hand tighter and led her outside into the chapel's antechamber.
Carlotta was waiting for us and opened the double door, which revealed an admittedly breath taking view of the chapel's interior. However, she had found this modern feat of architecture, she deserved praise for it.
The mix of wood, dark tile, and glass was beautiful and spoke to what this family was all about on so many levels. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, you could look out into the great outdoors. Forest. As far as the eye could see.
