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His words fade into the background as his lips meet mine, momentarily causing me to forget all about mycontract with the mafia boss.
Carlo
ONE YEAR LATER
The church pews are packed with family, friends, and acquaintances. I’m standing at the altar with Topher, Christian, and Khalil at my side, and I’m nervous as hell. I catch my mom’s eyes. She’s seated at the very front. She gives me an encouraging smile, blowing me a kiss.
Then the music starts and the doors to the church open. My bride glides inside on her father’s arm. She looks like a dream come true. When she and her father get there, I stretch out my hand and Salvador places her hand in mine. Then he clutches my shoulder and smiles at me.
We’ve come a long way. He had his men beat me up, I asked Khalil to help me fuck with his company in revenge, but ultimately, we’ve settled our differences. All those little things that allowed today to be possible.
I help her up onto the podium, squeezing her hands. She smiles at me, her eyes bright and happy.
“You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, Astoria D’Angelo,” I say softly.
She giggles. “Hey, I’m still a Bianchi. It’s not over yet.”
“You became a D’Angelo the day I fell in love with you,” I say. She lets out a soft sigh of agreement.
A part of me almost can’t believe we’re here. The ceremony starts and somehow I manage to say the right words at the right times. When we need to exchange the rings, Daniel steps forward, holding them in his small hands. He looks good in his tux. He plays his role perfectly and I wink at him as he returns to sit beside his mother.
Tori and I exchange our rings, and the bishop pronounces us husband and wife.
“You may now kiss the bride.”
That’s all I need to hear. I lift her veil before wrapping my arms around her waist and pulling her to me. She fits against me so well. It’s how I know she was made for me. We kiss and cheers erupt in the church. We continue kissing until the cheers turn to whistles and catcalls. Then the bishop clears his throat and we break apart. My heart is racing in my chest.
Tori leans closer to whisper in my ear. “Now I’m an official D’Angelo.”
At the reception, we share our first dance and cut the cake, all boring traditional wedding things. All I can think about is having her all to myself, but first we need to get through the sea of family members and well-wishers.
Nora Meccano steps forward at one point, leaning down to hug Astoria. We spoke to her a few days after the events that folded due to her betrayal. She came to us on her own, teary-eyed and apologetic. Tori forgave her, of course. Because my girl has the biggest heart, and sometimes I think she’s too good for everyone else.
“Congratulations, Tori. I’m so happy for you,” Nora says.
Tori smiles. “Thanks.”
“And congratulations, Carlo,” she says to me, her expression uneasy.
I simply nod. Nora walks away. Tori slaps my arm as soon as she does so.
“Ow, Mrs. D’Angelo. Keep the violence to a minimum,” I say, unable to keep the smile out of my voice.
She rolls her eyes. “Be nice.”
“I’m always nice,’ I say with a wink.
She huffs out a breath but is quickly distracted when someone calls her name.
Later that night, my brothers pull me over to have a drink. Topher wraps an arm around me.
“I can’t believe we’re here. I’ve got to be honest, Lo, a part of me thought you’d die single and alone.”
“Nice, Toph. Real nice.”
“What he means to say is that we’re proud of you, big brother,” Christian says, a big smile on his face.
“Yep,” Toph says, giving me a thumbs up. “You did well for a black knight.”
