“I wasn’t complaining,” I replied. “I just said it was bold.”
I wanted more. God, did I want more, but I wanted to get Giorgio to his sisters. Pulling on his arm, we continued down the hallway until we got to the one where I knew his sisters were waiting.
He gave me one last look as I backed away and then knocked on the door. It opened a few seconds later, followed by the bright screech of “Giorgio” through the air.
I winced as his sisters nearly tackled him to the ground, I nearly stepped in to warn them of his injuries, but then I caught the pure, light smile on his face. Untainted by any dreams of vengeance or fears of further torture. I’d gotten a few, rare, genuine smiles out of Giorgio, but he’d never looked likethatbefore. His sisters could probably crack a few more ribs before he’d push them away, so I slid behind them and walked back down the hallway, knowing he’d love a few minutes alone with his family.
Another hour or so passed and then it was time to start the ceremony. An unexpected, but quite welcome surprise was the fact that Giorgio was seated next to me in the pews for the ceremony. If it weren't for the fact that my father was sitting on my other side, I would be tempted to try and hold his hand or even just snuggle a little closer, but I took the fortune for what it was, letting our kiss from earlier play through my mind.
Lucia looked like an angel coming down the aisle in her white, satin dress with intricate lace overlays. I actually let out a few tears when she reached the end of the aisle and I noticed Romeo looking at her with nothing but pure love. He gently wiped her tears from her eyes, and she smiled with equal true love. I never thought I'd see such a thing from or for Romeo. It was a sight to behold.
Adorably, as the minister started the nuptials, Lucia and Romeo started whispering to each other. They looked like two teenagers who couldn't wait to sneak away from their parents so they can make out.
With a respectful nod, the minister prompted Lucia and Romeo for their vows. What I had believed would be empty words just may actually have some meaning to them, and I was excited to hear what the couple had to say to one another. Lucia handed off her bouquet as Romeo took her hands in his.
He opened his mouth to speak but got no words out. There was a rush of movement at the altar followed by a crack that was a little too familiar a sound for those gathered in the church that day. Pandemonium broke out as Romeo fell to the ground, bringing Lucia down on top of him. When she sat back up she had blood on her hands and there was a growing pool around Romeo.
"Oh god! No!" Lucia yelped.
Immediately, I turned around to look amongst our traitorous guests for the culprit as my father jumped up from his seat. Whoever had taken the shot must have been quick, because none of my father's men seemed to suspect who was around them.
That was when someone grabbed my hand. "Are you seeing what I'm seeing?" Giorgio hissed into my ear.
I turned around and followed his gaze up towards the pulpit and froze.
"Gianni?" I whispered. "He's not dead?"
He had his arms clutched around Lucia and was pointing a gun at the minister's head."Marry us!" he thundered.
It made me suddenly aware of the fact that my father was no longer at my side. In fact, he was nowhere to be found at all. Giorgio pulled me behind him, despite the fact that he wasn't standing so great. He held out his arms and Chiara and Alessandra rushed over to us. He corralled them behind himself as well, and I could see in his eyes that he wanted to help Lucia, but was calculating his actual ability to do more harm than good.
"Gio, don't," I said, drawing the attention of the twins. "You're hurt. It'll make it worse."
"Marry us!" Gianni bellowed again.
"I-I now pronounce you man and wife," the minister whimpered.
Gianni looked at Lucia. "I may now kiss the bride."
Clutching the back of Lucia's head, Gianni forced their lips together before dragging her towards a door near the back. He had his gun pointed at Lucia's head so that regardless of who approached, they couldn't get too close or he would kill her.
Giorgio limped forward, but nothing mattered to me in that moment but Giorgio not coming to more harm. I grabbed his hand and held him back, tears filling my eyes.
"You can't," I whimpered. "You'll die."
"It's my sister," Giorgio screamed.
"So are we."
Both our heads whipped over and Chiara and Alessandra were both crying and latched onto each other. Giorgio looked at me, then his sisters, and then in the direction of where Gianni dragged Lucia.
I tugged his hand. "Please."
With one final, mournful look, Giorgio relented and pulled his sisters into a hug.
18
Giorgio
