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“Do you think it’s okay to get it?” I ask. I know this is what I want without a doubt. Jade is right. This is who I am. This dress is me right down to a T.
“Trust me,” she says, and I step backward. That’s never going to happen. She releases a heavy sigh. “He’ll be pissed, yes, but he can’t deny how beautiful you look.”
Lydia returns and fits the veil onto my head. Both she and Jade take a step back, and tears burn the backs of my eyes. I wish this was real. That I was marrying a man who loved me and cherished me. God, I wish my mom was here.
It’s been a while since I thought of her. Growing up, I used to think about her a lot, wondering how different my life would have been had she not died. That stopped when I hit my teenage years and knew that no matter what, she wasn’t coming back. I only had myself to depend on. But seeing myself in this dress, I can’t help but wonder if she’d be proud. If she’d agree with what I’m doing, and if she’d be by my side through the worst of it.
“This is the one,” Jade says thickly. “We’ll take it.”
Lydia nods. “Certainly. Let’s get this measured up. The bust is a little loose, as are the arms.”
I nod and follow her back into the changing room, where she helps me out of the dress after she’s pinned it together, ready for alterations. “This is the perfect dress for you,” she says softly. “I wish you health and happiness in your union, Ms. Mitchell.”
“Thank you for everything,” I say once it’s off and she has it.
She smiles at me. “It’s been a pleasure. Thank you for choosing to shop at Lydia’s Bridal store.” She exits the changing room, the dress in her hand, and leaves me alone. I reach for my sundress and pull it on, glad to be alone for even the littlest of time.
The moment I reach the front of the store, I notice Lydia is standing outside, speaking with a woman. Jade reaches for my arm and pulls me to a stop. “You have time,” she says. “Say whatever the hell it is that you want.”
I wrench my arm from her grip. She’s giving me the go-ahead. She could live to regret this. All the anger I’ve had over finding out that she was married to the Bastard Gallo boss hits me. “Fuck you,” I hiss. “Fuck you for trying to make me believe that you wanted me to be safe when in actual fact you were giving me up to that bastard. Fuck you for making me think that you cared. I knew you were full of shit the moment I saw you.”
“I had no idea what Elio was up to,” she says, her voice a little harder than it had been.
I laugh. “Sure you didn’t. It’s not like your husband is the boss of Elio. You expect me to believe that your husband didn’t have a hand in this shit storm? Bullshit,” I hiss. “Stay the fuck away from me, Jade. I don’t want your type of help. The thing about Elio is, at least he’s not a liar. He’s upfront about being a bastard.”
I turn on my heel and storm out of the store, Jade’s right behind me, but thankfully she’s not saying a word. I’m pissed, beyond angry that she’s still trying to act as though she’s innocent. There’s no way in hell that I’d believe she had no idea what her husband and his brother were up to.
I hear an engine start up as I get close to the edge of the sidewalk. I want to go home and forget this shit. I step out onto the road, glancing to my right. The sound of tires squealing hits me just as a hand grips my arm and wrenches me back.
I watch in horror as the black Ford Taurus heads toward us, steering away at the last second.
“What the fuck?” I whisper as I watch both Caolán and Ros move quickly after it, both on their cells talking to someone. Both of them are beyond angry as they grow further away, continuing on foot in the direction of the vehicle.
“Let’s get you home,” Jade says, keeping a tight grip on my arm. She doesn’t let go as she practically pulls me toward her car.
What the hell happened? Why on earth did that car try to hit us?
Does someone want Jade dead?
I have a sickening feeling that Jade wasn’t the intended target.
What am I going to do?
THIRTEEN
ELIO
“Are you ready for this?” Dario questions.
I glare at him. No, I’m not fucking ready. Today is the day I marry the princess of the Dirty Demons. The woman who drives me crazy with just one look. It infuriates me how easily she can get under my skin, and how at ease I feel around her.
“Tonight, you’ll make her yours,” he says, and I grit my teeth. This fucker is all about sex and getting with as many women as he can.
“Wait until it’s your time,” I say through clenched teeth. “I can’t wait for you to fall to your fucking knees.”
He smirks at me. “Just as you have done. I mean, since that cunt burnt you, you’ve become withdrawn and angry. I get it. I’d be the fucking same. But Elio, you’ve not been with a woman since it happened.”
Anger washes through me at his words. The fucker’s getting too close. I move quicker than he expected. My fingers clench around his neck. “Watch it,” I hiss. “You’re pushing it, Dario. You have no fucking idea what the hell you’re talking about.”
