“That was hours ago, kitten.” He cops a cheeky feel of my ass through the dress. “You look like a princess in that dress. I’ve always wanted to defile a princess.”
I snort out a laugh and swat his arm. “You’re ridiculous and insatiable.”
“Thought we’d already established that?” He arches a brow, and I stretch up and kiss him. Just because I can. Because I love him, and I love kissing him.
“We’re leaving, Fiero,” his mother says, forcing us to break our kiss and focus on them. “Your father is exhausted.”
Roberto Maltese had a stroke four months ago that left him paralyzed and basically mute. He has problems speaking and understanding things going on around him. Fiero said it’s an improvement and he didn’t mind his father being here today because he can’t spout any misogynistic shit. Right now, the retired don is dozing in his wheelchair, and it’s hard to believe this fragile man was the tyrant who belittled my husband and tried to trample his free spirit.
“Thank you for coming,” I say politely. I haven’t worked out if Fiero’s mother is just indifferent to me or if she doesn’t like me. I’ve only met her a couple of times before today, and she’s hard work. Cold and closed off. A little bitter too, if you ask me.
“We hope you’re both very happy,” she says, forcing a smile, before she pushes her husband away.
“It’s a miracle my siblings and I are functioning humans with normal emotions and compassion for others,” Fiero mutters, watching his parents leave. “We certainly didn’t learn it from them.”
“Maybe it was the things they didn’t do that encouraged you all to become the opposite.”
“Perhaps.” Fiero plants a slew of feather-soft kisses up and down my neck while driving his cock against me and rubbing my ass. “Quickie upstairs in our suite now,” he whispers in my ear.
“Valentina, come dance with me.” My cousin Nina yanks me away from a grumbling Fiero, and he can do nothing as she drags me out onto the dance floor.
I blow him a kiss, giggling as he stomps off to rejoin his friends.
“This is the best wedding I’ve ever attended,” Nina gushes, shimmying her hips and grinning as we join my siblings in a circle.
“I agree.” My mom presses a kiss to my cheek. “It’s been a wonderful day, and we’re so happy for you, sweetie.”
Fiero flew my family in four months ago after a session with my therapist where she suggested I needed to discuss everything with my parents. She believed I couldn’t move on without confronting the hurt, resentment, and blame I felt toward them. Everyone stayed at our house in Long Island, and my husband took my sisters and brothers out for a couple of hours to give me privacy to talk with my parents.
It was an emotional afternoon. All of us broke down at one point. I haven’t fully forgiven them, and I don’t know if I ever will, but I understand it a little more. It wasn’t deliberate or malicious. They thought Dominic would give me a good life.
Jacopo Pagano lied and made false representations to my parents, promising he’d ensure I was taken good care of. Before he died, he gave them fabricated reports of my marriage and my life in Miami, doctoring pictures and events to make it seem like I was happy. I hadn’t told my siblings the truth of my situation because they were too young and I didn’t want them worrying about me, and I refused to speak to my parents, so there was nothing to contradict what they’d been told.
I should have come clean, and they never should have forced me into an arranged marriage.
My father broke apart when he discovered what Jacopo and Dominic had done to me that first night and for many other nights after. I know he feels huge guilt that won’t ever go away.
It was a poignant reunion for all of us.
Since then, they have visited a couple of other times, and Fiero and I just bought a house in Detroit, ten minutes from my parents’ house for future visits. I won’t ever return permanently to Detroit. New York is my home now, but I want to catch up on lost time with my siblings, and it’s easier for us to go to them.
We’re still a work in progress, but I’m glad my parents were here today. Daddy gave me away, and it felt right.
Fiero chats with my dad and my older brother, keeping a watchful eye on me from the side of the dance floor as I dance with my mother, cousin, and the rest of my siblings, only stopping to throw the bouquet. I’m delighted when Tullia catches it, and it manages to put a smile back on herface. I’m not sure what’s happened, but she disappeared for a while, returning with red-rimmed eyes and blotchy skin.
Nina comes with me when I need to pee, to help hold up my skirts. She’s been the best bridesmaid, attentive and supportive all day.
As we are walking along the hallway, back toward the ballroom, I spot someone waiting for me. “You go on,” I tell Nina. “I want to talk with Don DiPietro for a few minutes.” My family knows about the baby I had with Cristian’s older brother, but only my older siblings know the circumstances and they aren’t privy to all the gory details. I don’t want to give my sisters nightmares.
“You look beautiful, Valentina,” Cristian says, keeping a few feet back from me on purpose, I’m guessing. “One of the most beautiful brides I’ve ever seen. Fiero is a lucky man.”
“I think I’m the lucky one.”
He smiles, gesturing toward an alcove tucked into the window of the wedding venue. It’s a private house on Long Island used solely for weddings. We rented the whole place including all the guest bungalows. My family and the bridal party are staying here tonight. “Could we talk for a few moments? I promise not to keep you from your groom for long.”
“Of course.” We haven’t spoken at all since the baby shower last summer, but Fiero has spoken to Cristian and told him everything he needed to know.
We settle into opposite corners of the window seat, facing one another. “I’m so sorry for the things my brother did to you. I’ve been really upset since Fiero spoke with me.”
