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“Don’t you think I know that? Don’t you think that for the past four years I’ve been terrified of someone finding out about us?” I had to stop to inhale sharply because the rant ate up all the air in my lungs. “I lost sleep over it. I cried over it, but here we are now. I know what marrying Salvatore will mean, but I also know that I would never let him fight my battles alone. If my brothers or anyone else would try to put a bullet in Salvatore, they’d have to shoot me first.”
“Grazia, listen.”
“No, you listen. You have it in your head that I’m just throwing the man I love – the only man I’ve ever loved – to the wolves, just because I had a fight with my daddy, but remember that I came into this world ready to marry him.Adrianthought I was good for Salvatore because he knew that I will always have his back. This is what I will vow today and I intend to keep that vow until my dying day.” My eyes locked on his. “I’m starting to question if you’d do the same.”
He stepped back like I’d just started spitting fire in his face.
“Tread lightly, Grazia. You’re not married to myDonyet.” If words could cut, I’d be bleeding. “Salvatore is not only my boss, he’s my cousin. He’s blood. He’s family. Don’t you dare…”
“What? Say you won’t stay by his side? I’m sorry Pietro, but you look like you’re about to bolt out the door.”
“I just lost my uncle. I don’t want to put another Fiori in the ground.”
“If that happens, Pietro,” I swallowed to lubricate my throat, “bring two coffins because I’ll go down with him.”
We stared each other down for a long time. It felt like forever. I wasn’t sure if it was a battle of wills or he was just trying to convince himself to let me go past the door. Whatever the case, I won. Pietro exhaled, let his head down, and walked away from the door.
“Grazia.”
“Yes.”
“I don’t have an ounce of resentment for you. I know it seems like I don’t want you and Salvatore to be together, but it’s my job to worry about him.”
“As his second in command?”
“As the only family he has left.” He put a hand over my shoulder and pulled me into an awkward hug. “Now he has you too,piccino.”
“Yes. Should we go now?”
“Oh, we should. He’s going to take down the door looking for you any minute .”
He led me to the living room and the atmosphere felt lighter between us. I found Salvatore with my eyes as soon as I walked into the living room. He had a crisp black suit on and Chiara was fixing his bowtie. My heart slammed into my chest wall like it was trying to get to Salvatore and letting myself go with the pull, I walked faster.
There was no place for formality at a living room wedding with two guests, so instead of patiently waiting for me, Salvatore pulled me into a hug as soon as he could reach me.
“Tesoro.” He whispered in my ear.
“Hello,Sasa.”
“A few more minutes and you’ll be my Mrs. Fiori.”
Just thinking about it sent a shiver down my spine and I wasn’t sure if it was a good or a bad thing.
“I think you forget how long a catholic service lasts. It’s going to be more than a few minutes.”
“Father Primo agreed to give us a shortened version. Are you ready for this, Grazi?”
“What? Be your wife or tear Palermo in half between organized crime leaders?”
“The only people that matter today are you and me.”
“Then, yes, Sasa.” I took his face in my hands. “I’ve been ready to marry you for a long time.”
He nodded, I did too, and then he called the priest in front of us. The service was shorter, just like Sasa said, but even like that I didn’t hear one word because I felt locked up in a bubble. A bubble where just Salvatore and I existed. His hands held mine the entire time like he was afraid I’d start running for the door any moment, but my feet were bolted to the floor. I couldn’t leave him now, not even if the sky would fall down upon us.
We said I do, he kissed the bride, and that was it. We were married. We were husband and wife who vowed to never leave each other’s sides,in sickness and in health, to love each other, to honor each other, to comfort each other, forsaking all others.
What surprised me the most was how normal it all felt. I’d expected something to change – something to feeldifferent– but it didn’t. Our kiss felt just the same. It was possessive and consuming like always. I didn’t feel like I belonged to Salvatore more than I did before. Everything was the same.
