As if on cue, Alaina begins to play on the baby grand piano by the large bay window while Leandro heads upstairs to walk with Sophia since she has no one to give her away.Asking my father to do it would have been pushing things to the extreme, even for me.Besides, Sophia at least has gotten to know Leandro as well as anyone other than me and my brothers can.He may seem optimistic on the outside, but I’m sure it’s a polished mask that he uses to throw off men of power who want to get the best of a negotiation.My brother will never show his hand or make any deal until he knows every counter move a person can make.
A soft Italian ballad fills the room with the rich deep chords of the skillful pianist, and my chest tightens slightly with the knowledge that in a few short moments, Sophia is going to be standing by my side and become my bride.For better or for worse, and it’s supposed to be until death do us part, not until a year is up, yet she said yes, and for me, right now, that is enough.
But the minute I see her standing at the top of the stairs, looking down at me in her pure white lacy dress, I know with certainty that one year will never be enough.
4
Sophia
Elsie crosses the room to answer a knock at the door.I half expected Massimo to throw every tradition out the window and demand to see me before the wedding because no one makes the rules but him.But instead, Leandro stands there, dressed in a custom black tux with cummerbund.His intense eyes meet mine and cause me to inhale a breath.Even he wasn’t happy about the trouble me being on that yacht caused, and he is a Roselli after all, and until those words come out of my mouth at the altar, I am still a Cassone.The worst of enemies his family has ever had.
Leandro doesn’t keep me in suspense about how he feels toward me or have a bad word to say.“You look lovely, Sophia.Massimo is a lucky man but is a very impatient man when it comes to you.He is ready to make you his wife.I suggest we don’t keep my impatient brother waiting.”
My heart beats rapidly and butterflies float in my belly all at the same time as Elsie makes some last-minute tucks here and there.A moment that should never happen between a Roselli and Cassone.We are about to change the course of a centuries long feud that has been going long before our grandparents were even thought to be conceived.They will all probably be rolling over in their graves the minute we say I do.
I only wish my father would take my calls, that my sister could convince him that I’m not being held prisoner, at least not now, and that I agreed to this wedding.Or that I am completely head over heels with the devilish god himself although not even he knows that.
My father and Anna don’t need to know that it’s only for a year.If she even told him at all.It’s hard to know exactly what is happening with only short calls to Anna and our conversations all cryptic so no one knows what we’re talking about.The only thing that matters is that he and my sister are safe, and that the Cassone debt to the Rosellis is wiped clean and that everyone is alive after the fiasco with the Amortes.
Leandro’s dark eyes, so much like his older brother’s, meet mine as I inhale a deep breath, knowing that postponing it or even trying will not change a thing.“It’s time.”
Elsie fusses with the long white veil and the lace around my face, then touches the little tufts of frill around each of my wrists, caressing the see through lace down the arms, making last minute adjustments to the satin sash that accentuates my small waist in the long A frame white traditional dress.Massimo must have had this prepared.That man and his confidence knew at some point I would lose, or he was willing to hedge his bets and spend the money in hopes that he would win.No matter, the dress is more beautiful than anything I could imagine, I just wish Anna were here with me.And perhaps that the neckline didn’t plunge quite so daringly low.
Elsie steps back not at all rushed by the impatient eyes of Leandro Roselli.“Now, the bride to be is ready,” she says, beaming up at me.
I hug her close to me.“Thank you so much for being with me today, for helping me get ready and for all the things.You are the best,” I tell her, smiling before inhaling a deep breath and preparing for the walk down those stairs that will change my life forever.
“I’m ready.”
Leandro holds out his arm and I grasp it.“So, this is it.I’m so nervous,” I whisper to no one in particular as he leads me out of the room.
“You look beautiful, just focus on Massimo.You’ll be fine.”Massimo’s brother wastes no time walking me down the hall to the top of the bannister, as though if he doesn’t get me there quickly, I may disappear.And maybe that’s what I should be trying to figure out is how to get out of this deal, and the lost bet, but that’s not what’s on my mind at all.
My only thought right now is on Massimo.At six foot three, he doesn’t tower above his brothers or father as he stands in front of the altar that’s been set up below us in the great room but even so, he stands out.He is the one that draws my attention, his muscular and sculpted body under that black custom tux.The only difference in his tux and his brothers’ is the stark vest he wears in contrast to their cummerbunds.Massimo shifts and his muscles flex as he watches me, waiting for me to join his side.His eyes meet mine and that chemistry, it heats every inch of my skin.
Massimo’s eyes take me in from head to toe as I stand at the top of the staircase.Finally, slowly gazing upward, as though undressing me right in public.He takes in every inch of my lace- covered body as if storing it to memory.His eyes turn almost black, with a passionate heat that is undeniable, that I feel in my very core.The dark-eyed devil wants me as much as I want him, it’s not something that needs to be spoken, as I can feel it envelope me in its warmth.
All I can think of is being in Massimo’s arms as he makes me scream his name, again and again and again.And more than anything, if only for a year, right or wrong, I want to say I do.The plain reality is that I want to be the devil’s wife, to be his, and for him to be mine.
The pianist begins the traditional Here Comes the Bride music, and Leandro and I take the steps one at a time, in a traditional wedding walk.Their father watches me from his place by a tall dark-haired woman with red lips, who gives me a wink.It can only be Massimo’s mother, and I smile warmly at the woman who went out of her way, even with just a small gesture, to make me feel comfortable as I descend into a room filled with a family of enemies.The ones who I was raised to hate, and who have hated me for a lifetime simply because my last name is Cassone.
When Leandro and I reach his brother, Massimo never turns his attention from my eyes.His arm comes possessively to me, gathering me close and clasping my hand in his large and protective one until the priest begins to speak with a surprisingly soft but commanding voice.
When it’s time, Massimo pulls out a diamond ring and wedding band, placing both on my finger at the very same time.The blood races through my veins.How?How in the world did he get a ring that fast?I never expected a piece of jewelry today.But instead of being upset that Massimo expected me to fail, was betting on me to lose and prepared for this day, my heart is saddened that I don’t have one to reciprocate.
He reaches into his pocket.“Put your ring on my finger, kitten?”
My heart races so hard I am barely remembering to breathe or hear a word as I take the band of solid gold with diamonds and slide it onto Massimo’s ring finger.The priest is talking but I barely hear another word before he says my name.“Sophia Maria Cassone, do you take Massimo Roselli to be your husband in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do you part, forsaking all others?”I swallow through the lump that has formed in the back of my throat, looking into Massimo’s eyes.“I do.”
And Massimo, do you take Sophia to be your wife in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do you part, forsaking all others?”The priest turns his dark gaze from me to Massimo who does not hesitate to answer.“I do.”The huskiness in his voice causes my heart to tighten at the certainty and finality of the moment.“Then by the powers vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
The priest turns to Massimo.“You may now kiss your bride.”But my husband did not need anyone to tell him that.His hand snakes beneath my nape, underneath the flowing long curls, drawing me to him in a protective embrace.His lips find mine and he kisses me in front of his entire family, my lifelong enemies, with a passion that takes my breath away.His mouth slides over my ear causing me to forget any embarrassment I may have previously felt.“Now you’re mine.”
I swallow through the lump in my throat, every emotion possible running through my mind at one time.Happiness, excitement, and more than a little apprehension as his brothers and father watch me from only feet away, giving me no indication other than those steely dark eyes, of how they feel.Just that dark Roselli gaze.Massimo places a finger beneath my chin, forcing my eyes back to him.“I’m the only one you need to worry about, kitten.Now breathe, and put a smile on that pretty little face, while I introduce you to your new family.”
It’s like a dream, like it’s happening to someone else and not me as Massimo thanks the priest and leads me toward the people I’ve always most feared in the world.Leandro is the first to clap his brother on the back, and then draw me in for a hug.“Welcome to the family, Sophia.”
His father’s dark eyes meet mine as Leandro steps back.“Congratulations.”He clears his throat.“This is a day I never saw happening, but Massimo’s mother Catherine and I both want to welcome you to the family.You saved our son’s life and for that, we will be eternally grateful.We wish you both a year filled with happiness.”
