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Arlo’s chest slightly caved, accepting his disturbed feeling and the weight I’d lifted. Then as if he hadn’t fidgeted with irritation or spoken with doubt, his wicked smile flashed.
“Break a leg.” His mayhem eyes twirled until they moved away from mine to survey every inch before he headed to the edge, turning and walking farther to the back.
People began taking their seats, dimming the chit-chat into quiet whispers. Katia’s reserved front row for her family remained empty, while mine slowly filled, starting with Sal. Two empty seats were unfilled next to him, Viktor’s and Ilias, as Davina’s brown eyes rested solely on the man by my side. On her right, Mrs. Greco sat next to Talia and Carlo. Her daughter, Anna, hadn’t been invited.
My eyes flew to the threats that loomed above. The long Catholic wedding would have to be kept shorter than custom as the rain would soon catch up.
“I’ll stay until Viktor returns and everyone is seated,” Ilias uttered, eyes peeled in the direction Viktor had been last seen.
The envelope inside my chest pocket burned, and my fingers itched for the thin paper inside. But just as the envelope burned, the eyes of many flickered over my skin, watching my every move. Watching for a weak moment, they could replay among others.
It was the wedding of the year. A known union all wanted to witness. A play of a tale for the future of Miami.
It was finally here.
Two tall bodies emerged from the left corner. Both walked with purpose with their heads bowed to one another while words were exchanged. Arlo followed their backs with his gaze while mine trailed Enzo’s and Leo’s steps closer. Once they were out in the open and walking up the aisle, I removed my eyes from them and waited for Viktor.
I didn’t wait for long before he appeared.
Both he and Ilias took their seats, and I took my place inside the outdoor altar.
“Lucca,” the priest said as he walked closer to me before hiding under the hanging flower canopy.
“Father,” I greeted, the same moment I heard the classical violinist strike a loud note. Everyone stood. Everyone turned in one direction.
My head snapped to where Katia should appear, and with each second that music played with time, the tighter my chest grew.
I had never been a man of emotion. A man of nerves.
Yet, it took all of me to keep my own legs from failing. For my knees not to give and for my breathing to steady.
It took all of me to hide behind the mask of the heartless.
Then I saw her, and I ran numb.
Only my heartbeat drummed and pumped inside, hammering in powerful wallops that shook me.
She was beautiful in all white.
A dress that shimmered with lace and touched her skin and body with a gentle caress.
A veil over her face that couldn’t keep our eyes apart.
A sight of golden skin, green eyes, and white.
A vision I never wanted to forget.
And her smile.
Her smile brightened the depths of my heart. The pitch-black void that hadn’t been touched. I hardly blinked, and when I did, it was quick, too afraid to miss a single step. Too afraid to miss a second.
Katia glimpsed around. Wonder and joy shined past the veil, touching every flower with her gaze. The second it returned to me, they glimmered in awe.
Happy, eager.
Or was it love?
I was so captivated by her, I didn’t care for the man who walked alongside her.
