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I fight the urge to rub my throat as I envision Luca throttling me if he learns I’m not Alma. Or would he order Gunn with twon’s to do it for him? My gaze flicks to the large man standing beside Luca. He’s grinning as if he’s happy for his friend, his posture completely relaxed with his hands clasped in front of him. That doesn’t mean he’s any less ready to kill.
In fact, everyone in this hall is probably quite capable of ending my life, and doing it slowly.
Dear Lord, save me.
My steps must falter, because Daddy tugs me hard.
“Almost there,” he mumbles out of the side of his mouth.
Then we are, and he’s placing my hand into Luca’s much larger one. And it suddenly feels like my head is underwater, every sound distant, my vision hazed and my heartbeat erratic.
Luca walks me to the altar, and we kneel in front of the priest. He’s speaking, giving us a sermon on the sanctity of marriage. Lifting his Bible high enough for the crowd behind us to see.
I’ve never been to a Catholic wedding, and though I’m participating in this one, it still feels like I’m not here. It’s as if only a faint part of my spirit is moving, lighting candles, repeating words, prayers.
For a moment, I wonder if God can strike me down for this charade, for the lies I’m saying in front of the cross. Maybe he should. It would be a more merciful death.
Two young girls step up behind us and place a white garland of flowers around Luca and me. Then Luca says something, lifts my hand, and slides a ring over my finger. I peer at it, stupefied, until a pillow is thrust under my nose, and I take the platinum ring off it and place it on his finger.
The reverend says something that has the entire hall applauding. Luca stands, bringing me with him. He takes my hand and turns me to face him. Then he lifts my veil, and our gazes meet.
While a moment ago, my world was nothing but a blur of motion around me, now it skids to a complete halt.
He’s leaning toward me, his blue eyes scanning my face until they lock onto my mouth. I can’t breathe as I realize what he intends to do.
Luca snakes an arm around my waist and pulls me to him gently at the same time as he lowers his lips to me. I remain stiff as he presses them to mine.
The kiss starts soft and sweet, like the ones I saw between him and Alma. But almost instantly, his scent and heat envelop me. They seep into my skin like a drug, and before I can stop myself, I open my mouth and slide my tongue over his.
He stills so momentarily that I must have imagined it. Then his arms clamp around me as he deepens the kiss almost savagely. It’s that very pain that makes everything around me disappear and sets me aflame. I drop the bouquet and bring my hands into his hair as I desperately respond to the need to calm the sudden pulsing inside.
Then, just as quickly as he started this fire, he douses it when he pulls from me. I’m left stunned and confused. And when I catch a glimpse of our audience, I’m horrified because, for a split second, I forgot all about them.
But everyone is oblivious of my humiliation as they clap in unison. A celebration of the newlyweds.
I look at Luca to find him studying me with a narrowed gaze as he licks his lower lip.
“Sorry,” I say, plastering one of my sister’s shy smiles on my face. “I’m not sure what came over me. I’m so embarrassed.”
He returns my smile and offers me the crook of his arm. “There’s no need. You’re my wife now.”
Yes. I’m his wife now. Carina Di Persia is gone. From now on, only Alma Sinacore can live.
* * *
If he reached out and touched me, I wouldn’t feel it any more than I do his intense stare. Luca and I are seated at the long table sitting at one end of the ballroom in the Rocheford Hotel. He’s watching me carefully as I take dainty bites of the duck served in some sort of brown sauce.
I hate duck. Every nibble is like an oil slick in my mouth, and it’s all I can do not to spit it out and wipe my tongue.
“Is it good?” he asks.
Nodding, I turn to him and smile. “It’s exactly how I expected it to be.”
He takes a sliver of his lamb and places it in his mouth, and I nearly moan in jealousy that he gets to enjoy my favorite meal. I turn back to my duck and eat it like it’s the best thing since sliced bread.
Because Alma likes duck, so must I.
“I’m sorry your sister decided not to come. Though it doesn’t surprise me. Carina never really could stand me.” He pauses for a long while, and I think that’s the end of that. But he continues, “It’s probably for the best anyway. Her presence would have soured something sweet. She’s just an unlikable person. I can’t believe you two are twins.”
