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Cesare thinks for a moment, staring back at me like he’s trying to solve a puzzle. Then he lets out a sigh and reaches out to shake my hand. “I’ll hold you to it.” He pulls me in for a hug. “And if you ever go back on your vows or harm her in any way, I won’t hesitate to kill you,” he whispers in my ear and smiles as he pulls away. “Congratulations, Son.” Beaming, he pats my shoulder.
That’s the Cesare the world knew.
Nico
I take Anya to our room to collect ourselves while the staff sets up the reception. I had Valentina and some soldiers set up tables and decorations in the courtyard in the back so the household and all the soldiers could join us for a meal and lots of wine. We have three days after tonight to solidify our plan of attack, so Bash and I agreed this is a good opportunity for Anya and the rest of the men to enjoy themselves before we get into it.
“Did you marry me to prevent an alliance between the Outfit and Triad?” she asks me, breaking the silence as I pour myself a glass of whiskey.
Her eyes were empty, completely void of emotion.Is she serious right now?After what she just said to Cesare.
“No,” I retort, failing to hide my irritation. “I already told you it has nothing to do with that.” I try my hardest to keep my composure at my dear wife.
She crosses her arms. “That’s the only reason our marriage would ever be accepted, right? If it was just an alliance between Triad and Cosa Nostra. Are you guys only helping me so you can align with the Triad and take over?”
“No!” I answer more harshly than intended, but I need her to get this through her head. “That’s not how loyalty works, Anya. I know there’s nothing I can do to sever your relationship with the Outfit, and I have no interest in doing so. I told you I won’t make you choose a side. That’s not how it works. Loyalty isn’t a choice, Anya. The alliance is just a convenience, but it has never and will never affect what I feel for you!”
She doesn’t say anything, but she nods, her gaze glued to the floor.
Releasing a sigh, I walk over to her. “Anya, I don’t care if you take over the Triad or not. I’ll stand by you and fight for it if that’s what you want. But if you walk away from it all, I’ll still be here. I just want you.”
She plops down on the chaise by the fireplace and exhales.
“I’m sorry I doubted you. Fuck, we’re only an hour into marriage, and I’m already a terrible wife,” she says on the verge of tears.
“No, you’ve had some major life changes the past two months,” I say, getting down on my haunches, wiping a tear off her cheek. She takes my head in both hands and pulls me into a kiss.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Anya
If Nico were good at anything, it was talking me off the ledge. I shouldn’t have questioned him. I knew the answer. I need to stop letting Dom’s words get to me so much. After I fix my makeup, we head downstairs just in time for our reception to begin. It’s a small gathering, and by small, I mean his family, Cesare, Dominic, forty soldiers from the Cosa Nostra, and the Outfit.
Everyone’s already outside enjoying wine, champagne and other cocktails. Nico’s looking off with a sly smirk on his face. Following his gaze, I spot Matteo sulking in the corner with his hand wrapped. My husband could be a real caveman sometimes. His eyes meet mine and I just roll them, not even bothering to fight him on this. We’ll have plenty of arguments for the rest of our lives, and Matteo sure as fuck wasn’t going to be one of them.
The sun on the horizon sets the mood, string lights dangling from above. Center pieces with candles adorn the round tables draped with white cloth. Classic love songs play in the background. It’s gorgeous and tranquil. We walk up to our guests hand-in-hand and greet everyone. I made it a point to learn everyone’s names during my time here, and I’ve grown quite close and fond of them.
“You have inside jokes with my men? When did that happen?” Nico asks, sounding equally amused as he was jealous.
“Some of us can hold a conversation outside of torturing and interrogating,” I reply.
His eyebrows pinch, but before he can respond, we’re struck with a flash of light as Giuseppe and Marcella approach us with the biggest smile on their faces. Marcella has her phone clutched in a tight grip. You’d think we just told them they were about to be grandparents. Marcella’s crying, with tear-stained cheeks, taking pictures of everything on her phone, while Giuseppe holds her close.
Marcella pulls me in for a hug. “My dear, you look beautiful. I didn’t have a chance to tell you earlier.”
“Thank you.” I pull her in, hugging her tighter. I wish my parents could be here for this. As if she could read my mind, she speaks up.
“I know I’ll never replace your mother, but I look forward to you joining the family. I’ve always wanted a daughter, but, of course, I get stuck with three crazy boys.” She nods toward Nico, who rolls his eyes as his mother kisses his cheek.
“I can’t imagine three boys running around. Dominic was enough for Donna and me. He was so gross as a teenager.”
“The teenage years are the worst. Nico’s showers were so long I almost had to—”
“Ma, it’s time to sit down for dinner,” he tells her as he pulls me along, trying to escape the conversation. I couldn’t stop laughing.
Deciding to mess with my husband, I yell back, “Hey, I wanted to hear why your showers were so long!”
Ignoring me, he directs me to our table that sits at the front with a loveseat at the end for us to share.
