I stood motionless as he turned and left, the echo of his words lingering like smoke.When the door shut, silence crashed back in.My pulse still raced; my lips still tingled; my heart ached with confusion and fury and want.
At that moment, I was no longer choosing the path—I was surviving it.And Enrico Di Fiore had just rewritten my fate with a single announcement.
.
14
MIA
I composed myself before joining the room again.Enrico had sealed my fate.He had taken my choice away.Honestly though, deep down I knew this was the only way it would end.The man was way too controlling to let me be with someone else.
My future husband stood on the opposite side of the room talking to his brother when Father Antonio stepped into the room.Many heads turned his way as he walked straight toward Enrico.
“Is it still happening tonight?”he asked.
“What is this?”I demanded, staring at my fiancee.
Enrico leaned close.“We’re making it official.No point in wasting time.The faster you are under my protection, the safer you’ll be.”
My pulse spiked.“I… I need a moment.”
He released my hand with surprising patience.“Take all the time you need.”
Maybe he could be sweet at times, but did that outweigh all the blood he’s had on his hands?All the bloodshed I’d be linked to by last name after tonight?This was insanity.At the edge of the room I tried to breathe.Marrying him meant surrendering everything I’d ever fought to keep — freedom, anonymity, safety.Yet when I met his eyes again, the same magnetic pull that haunted me for years came back.He might go against everything I’d wanted for myself, but no man had made me feel the way he did.
Enough hesitation.He had made his claim in front of everyone, and I was now playing the part.
I returned to his side and slid my hand back into his.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here to witness the union of Enrico Di Fiore and Mia Moretti…”
I swallowed hard.Walking away now would doom my family.
“Are you sure you want me?Last chance.”I whispered.
Enrico’s gaze burned steady.“I’ve been sure since the first day I saw you.”
The room quieted under the weight of his conviction.Then, from the crowd, Catrina emerged.
“Enrico, a word.”
“Now?”he snapped.“We’re a little occupied.”
“This isn’t right.”
He turned, jaw tight.“Sister, stay out of it.”
Sister?Betrayal burned through me.
Father went on with the ceremony and I tried to put on a brave face but deep down, anger was seething.Was she only friends with me because of him?Now it made sense why she didn’t give me a lot of details about her family or background.The whole thing was just a game.
“You may now kiss your bride.”
His lips were on mine, and then the applause scattered through the room.It was official.I was Mrs.Di Fiore.
His hand crept down to the small of my back, guiding me through the parting crowd.He didn’t even let me stop to talk to my father.
“Where are we going?”I asked as he opened the door to the car waiting outside.
