“Ivan!” Vee glares at her husband. “Leave it alone. I’m sure Kaz was just having one last fun night of bachelorhood.”
“Listen to your wife,” I warn my older brother.
“Are you sure? Just one last hurrah?” Ivan’s steely gaze settles on me.
“Why do you care so much about this? I’m getting married, making a true peace with the Italians that’s going to make us even richer and expand our territory. It puts the war to rest, makes our mother happy so she stays tucked away in Russia, and gets the Italians off our backs completely. I’m doing the responsible thing here, so why are you being such a dick?”
“Because Kaz, it’s not like you to do the responsible thing,” he says simply.
“Uh, guys.” Megan interrupts. “They’re ready for you to take your place, Kaz.”
I check my watch. “Already?”
“Everyone’s here, they want to get started.” She gives a wobbly smile. “You’re gonna be fine.”
I roll my shoulders back. “Let’s get this over with.”
Like the small army my family is, we make our way out of the back room of the building and into the church.
Half the pews are empty, and I barely recognize those who are in attendance. Mostly her family. Some of our associates are seated on my side. Lev sits in second row with his wife, Maxine. She looks away when she catches my eye. Another woman thinking I’m sacrificing myself because of her actions.
This isn’t her fault. It’s not Megan’s or Elana’s. The blame for this entire disaster rests at the feet of the DeAngelo brothers.
Unfortunately, you can only kill a man once.
As I move into position at the altar, a blonde woman catches my attention. She looks familiar, and the woman sitting beside her with the short, chopped black hair does as well. The blonde catches me looking and frowns at me, then turns to her friend, and they get into a conversation.
I don’t have time to dwell on them. Maybe I met one of them on a visit to New York in the past. I don’t go to bed with every woman I spend time with; maybe I didn’t take them home and they’re resentful.
It doesn’t matter.
The music starts, and the guests all move to their feet as the doors at the back of the church open.
“Kaz!” Vee’s whisper is laced with urgency.
I glance in her direction. She’s mouthing something to me, but I can’t make it out.
I shake my head to indicate I can’t understand her, but she just keeps going. Ivan’s watching her with concern, then leans out into the aisle where my bride is making her way toward me.
Vincente DeAngelo walks beside her, his grip on her arm giving more hostage exchange than giving away of his beloved niece. Her veil covers her face, so I can’t make her out.
When I glance back at my brothers, Ivan’s got a shit-eating grin living on his face while his wife is still trying to convey something to me.
These damn cathedrals make it impossible for her to get her message to me. Whatever she’s trying to quietly say is lost in the abyss that is the old church air.
When my bride passes the blonde and the dark-haired woman, she pauses. I move over a step on the altar to the center, ready to greet my new wife.
My body reacts, tightens.
Vicente gets her moving again. They’re just passing the front pew when I’m able to make out her features through the veil.
My heart skids into the wall of my ribs.
It’s her.
Christiana.
She doesn’t wait for her uncle; she pulls her veil off her face and shoves it back over her head. When her eyes meet mine, a smile pulls her lips wide.
