The moment is finally here. The moment I’ve been counting down to.
I’m down to the last few minutes of being Emelia Balesteri.
A hush falls over the congregation in the cathedral as the organist starts playing Mendelssohn’s traditional Wedding March, heralding the start of the ceremony.
Everyone looks to me as I make my way up the aisle, by myself.
In the wedding I imagined when I was little, my father would be walking me up the aisle. I imagined flower girls and a page boy. I would have gotten married on the beach. Not that I have anything against being in a church. I just wanted the beach. Somewhere in Italy where it’s gorgeous. Since I imagined Mom at my wedding too, it fits that it would fall part of a dream and right up there with things that will never happen.
At the altar stands Father De Lucca, the priest who will be marrying us, and possibly the only real thing about this wedding. When he came to the house to go over the ceremony details, there was pride in his eyes for Massimo. The same type I’d seen displayed in most of the people who’d known Massimo as a boy.
At Father De Lucca’s left stands Massimo, with his father and brothers as his best men.
Massimo looks perfect in his tux. He looks like the prince in every story, the heartthrob of every movie. The lover in every story told. He looks like the dream, and once again, I can’t deny what I feel for him.
It’s just everything else that feels wrong.
I’ve feared this day for weeks, right from the word go. Right from that night I signed the contract in Dad’s office.
Darkness settled over me the minute I put on this dress earlier this morning. This beautiful wedding dress should have been worn by a bride who was ecstatic to get married. A bride who couldn’t wait to skip into her groom’s arms.
When I look at Massimo standing ahead at the altar, Dad’s warning plays out in my mind.
He will never love you…
That’s knowledge I already had and feared. Each step I take feels like pieces of me are dying slowly.
If I don’t escape, I don’t know what my life will be like from here onwards.
I imagine us growing apart when the wild sexual haze fades and we’ll just slip into a loveless marriage.
What I felt the other night was real, but I’ve come to accept that Massimo will eventually hurt me. Physical wounds can heal. Emotional wounds are another story. Those are harder to heal. I wouldn’t be doing myself any favors by encouraging these feelings I have for him.
I would be hurting myself if I truly fell for him
Such awful thoughts to have on my wedding day. Preparing my heart so it doesn’t love my husband. We haven’t even said our vows yet, and I’m already planning ways to break the simplest one.
Don’t fall for him.
Don’t love him.
I scan the pews looking over the guests who are dressed in their finest. They’re over a hundred people here. A mixture of family from my side and his. He has friends here and people who work for him. I have no friends. I already knew Jacob and his family wouldn’t be invited.
Who I’m looking for is my father.
I see him now. I see Dad. There he is in the front pew. Like everyone else, he’s been looking at me. Our eyes connect. The remorse and defeat in his eyes grip me. He wears the face of a helpless man who’s watching his only child marry his enemy.
His eyes follow me as I walk by, and I swear I see a tear slide down his cheek. I look back and realize I’m right. He wipes it away quickly, though, with the heel of his hand.
I turn back to face Massimo and find him gazing at Dad with that stern expression I hate.
I reach him on those shaky legs, and that’s when he focuses his attention back on me.
Father De Lucca begins with a welcome to our guests and jumps right into a blessing on us. Nerves fill me, and I find myself switching to autopilot. I haven’t been to many weddings, but I know ours will be quick.
When the priest finishes the blessing on our marriage and I know it’s time to say our vows, the gravity of what I’m doing hits me full force.
I’m getting married. Me. I’m getting married to this man who’s turned my world every way except the way it was supposed to be.
We’re getting married. I’ll be his wife, and he’ll be my husband.
Even if I manage to escape, those things will never change until death do us part.
“When you’re ready, you may say your vows,” Father De Lucca says, slicing through my thoughts. He looks to Massimo first, who straightens and starts to recite his vows.
"I, Massimo D’Agostino, take you, Emelia Balesteri, to be my wife. I promise to be true to you in good times, in bad, in sickness and in health. I will honor you all the days of my life."
I pull in a little breath and focus on what I’m supposed to say. "I, Emelia Balesteri, take you, Massimo D’Agostino, to be my husband. I promise to be true to you in good times, in sickness and in health. I will honor you all the days of my life."
Father De Lucca smiles and switches his focus to Massimo. "Do you, Massimo D’Agostino, take Emelia D’Agostino to be your lawful wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do you part?"
“I do,” Massimo says. I wonder if he means to keep that vow to me. I wonder how many women he’ll have. Will he still be with Gabriella? At least she’s not here.
"Do you, Emelia Balesteri, take Massimo to be your lawful husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do you part?"
“I do,” I say. There’s a moment when Massimo and I stare at each other.
Don’t…
That one word comes back to haunt me, and my heart squeezes.
Don’t love him. Don’t fall for him. There was no mention of love in our vows. That was done on purpose, by him.
The sting of that realization makes me hate him so much right now, I wish I could run through that door and make my escape.
Tristan steps forward with the rings. Father De Lucca blesses mine and hands it to Massimo.
Massimo takes my hand and says, "I take this ring as a sign of our union and faithfulness in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit."
He places the ring on my finger. I do the same to him when Father De Lucca gives me his ring.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife,” Father De Lucca declares. I look at him as if I can’t believe what he’s saying. Just like that, I’ve become Emelia D’Agostino. “You may now kiss the bride.”
Massimo leans forward and kisses me. His kisses always feel real to me, like it’s us, like he truly wants to kiss me. This kiss, though, is supposed to be the one that matters, yet I feel nothing. I can’t feel him anywhere. Even his lips are cold.
He pulls away and takes my hand to lead me away as everyone stands and applauds.
A shout from the back suddenly catches my attention. It’s near the door. There’s a commotion. I look ahead to see what’s happening.
“I object!” comes a strangled cry from a voice I recognize.
Jacob?
Massimo and I stop in our tracks as Jacob comes into view, fighting against the guards. He’s shouting the same two words over and over again.
I object.
My blood runs cold. Ice takes residence in the pit of my stomach when I look at Massimo and see his features darken with rage.
Oh my God. No.
Jacob’s cries caught the attention of everyone in the church. He wouldn’t know what danger he’s put himself in by doing this. Or maybe he did. He’s my best friend. He’d do anything for me, no matter what.
He runs in, and the men rush him with guns. I let go of Massimo’s hand and run with everything inside me, throwing myself in front of Jacob.
“No, please, don’t kill him!” I wail.
Jacob grabs my arm, his face p
anicked. Terrified. More terrified than I’ve ever seen him. He’s holding on to me so hard it hurts.
“You’re in danger, Emelia. If you stay with him, you’ll be in danger,” he crie. A stone drops in the pit of my stomach.
“What’s happening?” I ask.
“Leave him. Run away. He and his Syndicate won’t be able to save you.”
My God.
Syndicate? He knows about the syndicate.
I don’t get to ask him anything else. Someone grabs me from behind. It’s Manni. Him again.
The guards position their guns again as Massimo and his brothers step forward.
“Get him out of here,” Massimo commands, and the guards take hold of Jacob.
“Run away, Emelia, run far away,” Jacob cries as the guards take him away, back the way he came. “I love you. I love you. I love you.”
His voice echoes through the church along with the whispers of the shocked guests. Jacob’s voice is all I hear until the large oak door closes and sucks out the rest of the sound.
I love you…
It feels like the continuation of that conversation we were having at the diner. That’s what he wanted to tell me. Now that he has— in the worst place possible—what will happen now?
Massimo looks at me, and I see the rage again. His hands are fisted by his sides. He’s not a man you embarrass the way Jacob just did. No one would dare, but Jacob tried to warn me I was in danger. Danger would come for me if I stayed with Massimo.
“Take her home,” Massimo orders Manni, and before I can blink, I’m carried away.
My heart squeezes when Massimo walks ahead with his brothers following, down the empty trail Jacob and the guards left on. He’s following them.
Oh my God...
What will Massimo do to Jacob?
“Massimo, no!” I shout. My eyes water.
He doesn’t look back. He continues walking like the angel of death, his three brothers in tow.
“Massimo…” I cry.
He’s going to hurt him.
I’m sure he will…
After all, don’t I already know Massimo’s the devil?
My husband is a monster who won’t think twice about killing my best friend in cold blood.
The last face I see is my father’s as Manni carries me through the door and it closes shut.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Massimo
I land a fist in this fucker’s stomach. He tries to double over, but my soldiers hold him up.
I already messed up his face. This is me trying my best not to kill his ass.
Act and show my wrath, then ask questions later.
And my, do I have questions for this little prick.
“Stop…” Jacob wails. Tristan gives me a stern look.
Andreas and Dominic, however, are on my other side and seem to be in favor of the beating.
What the fuck am I supposed to act like after that little display? Under normal circumstances, I would have popped a bullet in this fucker’s head right there in the church. Of course, I didn’t do it because of her… Emelia. And fucking fuck, Father De Lucca has never seen me kill before.
I wasn’t about to end this guy on hallowed ground with everyone watching.
Taking him out back is just a little better, but still bad.
“Stop? Really?” I roar and pull my gun. I hit him on the side of his face with the back of it. Instantly, the skin cracks and blood pours down his cheek. “You motherfucker. It seems like you don’t know who I am. Or maybe you have a death wish. You think you can just burst into my wedding and do shit like what you just dished to me and live to tell the tale? Fuck, no.” I get up in his face. He flinches.
I have to give this kid credit. Maybe he has more balls than me. After all, he did just declare his love for my wife from the rooftop, for all to hear.
“I don’t care who you are, Massimo D’Agostino,” he answers through the blood running from his teeth. “Kill me if you want. All I care about is her. This marriage wasn’t real. You took her away and crushed her dreams. She was supposed to be in Florence, not here on this day, marrying you.”
I hit him again, but this time, I hit him because he’s right.
He spurts more blood and starts panting but stares at me head on. I don’t know what infuriates me more. The fact that he loves my girl, or that he loves her so much he’s willing to put himself in danger and die for her.
“Think you’re brave?” I ask. It’s a useless question.
“I don’t care. She’s in danger, and when danger comes, it will take all of you. Your Syndicate won’t be able to do anything against the people coming for you. You will die, and I don’t want her to go down with you.”
“What are you talking about?” This fucker knows something. Something that made him risk his life to try and save Emelia.
“Find your own information,” he shouts, trying to kick me.
I take the kick so I can rush him. The guards drop him when I do, and I land a one-two punch in his face. I have half a mind to beat his ass, but I hold back. Jesus Christ, do I ever hold back. He can’t tell me what I need to know if I mess him up too badly. Instead, I grab his face and hold his jaw so he can stare me in the eye and see I’m serious as fuck and need to know what he knows.
He can act all ballsy if he wants, but we’ll see what he says when I break his fucking jaw off for pissing with me.
“Listen to me, you little shit,” I begin and grit my teeth. “You tell me what I need to know right the fuck now. If you fucking love Emelia the way you say you do, you will tell me everything. Tell me so I can protect her.”
It must be a miracle that falls on us, but his eyes soften somewhat, and he seems less adamant to hold on to information.
“Members of The Circle of Shadows are here,” he says, which is enough. I don’t need to look at my brothers to know they’ve tensed up at the mention of the group. “There was a guy. Russian guy. He was talking in a bar on the underground. I heard a conversation I shouldn’t have heard.”
“What did he look like?”
“Long black hair and a tattoo on his face of a snake, the fire crest of the Shadows tattooed on his cheek.”
Vlad.
“What did he say?” I demand.
“He said he’ll take back what you stole from him,” Jacob answers.
I release Jacob and narrow my eyes. What the fuck is he saying to me?
Stole?
Me?
I haven’t stolen shit.
“I haven’t taken anything from him,” I rasp.
“He seems to think so. He said he’ll take it back, and he’ll take pleasure in killing you, your family, and anybody linked to you when the plan is complete. He said you can look for him all you want. You won’t find him, but he’ll come for you when he’s ready.”
“What bar were you in?” I ask.
“The Crow. I’ve seen him there three times now.”
I bite down hard on my back teeth. The fucking bar is a place I’ve been to twice already since we learned of Vlad’s return. Nobody knew anything, yet Vlad had been there three times. Lies. They’ll pay for that.
“When did you last see him?”
“Last night. Miguel, the owner, was talking to him,” Jacob explains.
I stand and glare down at Jacob. He’s looking at me like he doesn’t know what to expect. My brothers are doing the same. What I’m going to do is completely unexpected.
“Get the fuck up and get gone. Don’t say shit to anybody. This conversation never happened.”
Now he stares at me like he can’t believe I haven’t killed him.
He stands up and continues to stare. “What will you do? You know those men are above you. They’re assassins who work differently. Too strong for even the syndicate.”
“Never mind about me.”
“Emelia… what about her?” His brows knit together.
A cruel smile lifts the corners of my mouth. “My wife is none of your concern.
She’s mine now, and if I see you again, you’re dead. And so is anybody else you care about.” His eyes snap wide when I say that. The fool never thought of his family. “Count yourself lucky for disrespecting me and being the only guy ever to walk away. Now go.”
He’s definitely lucky. Lucky my feelings for Emelia are that strong that I couldn’t hurt him more than I did.
Jacob knows not to say any more shit to me. I watch him as he hobbles away.
I turn to the guards once he turns the corner of the alleyway and I can’t see him anymore.
“Get out of my sight and make sure my wife is safe,” I order.
Wife…
I have a wife now. And what a way to start our marriage, with another man telling the only woman I’ve ever gotten close to that he loves her. And this shit.
The guards move, and I turn to my brothers. They all look ready to kill.
Pa hung back to go home with Emelia. I wish he were here now.
“What the hell could Vlad think you stole?” Tristan asks.
“I don’t fucking know,” I answer. I can’t think of what the hell it might be. “I need to find him.”
“We’ve looked everywhere for that prick,” Andreas adds. “What the hell is he planning?”
“Whatever it is, we weren’t supposed to know he’s alive,” I say, swallowing hard. “Then Pierbo saw him. He knows we’re looking for him, and the reason we can’t find him is because of this plan. He has help. People who can help him stay hidden.”
“What now? If no one’s talking, it means they’re not scared enough of us,” Dominic says.
My blood heats. I already know the answer to that.
It’s always the same.
Be ruthless and heartless.
“I think it’s time to fix that, and we know where to start.” The Crow.
I turn and walk down the alley. My brothers follow.
Blood will stain the streets before the sun goes down.
I walk into the house with bloodstains all over my face. It’s late, bordering nine.
Pa emerges from the sitting room looking worried. I sent a message to him earlier letting him know what was happening. Priscilla walks out of the kitchen and stops short when she sees me, then turns back in her habitual way to grab stuff to clean me off.
Ruthless Prince : A Dark Mafia Arranged Marriage Romance (Dark Syndicate Book 1) Page 21
