He gestures for me to go to where Adriano is standing with the priest.
Now I understand the damn tuxedo the conniving bastard is wearing.
As I move closer, I’m filled with regret that I didn’t read every single word in the stupid contract.
How is this my life right now?
Everything that’s happened the past week flashes through my mind like some twisted movie.
Austin treating me like shit, making a show of cheating on me, and kicking me out like a dog.
Heather’s vileness and the joy she got from firing me.
The long cold night in the diner.
Actually considering stripping for money.
The deal, and the rollercoaster of emotions it has unleashed on me.
Laurie, are you seriously going through with this?
Ten million. Ten million. Ten million.
I stop beside Adriano and glance between him and the priest.
Adriano’s dark gaze slowly roams over every inch of me, then a smile forms on his face.
Not a grin. Not a smirk.
The first, honest-to-God smile, and it makes him look devilishly handsome.
“You can begin, Father,” he orders, his eyes locked on me while he takes hold of my hand.
Oh Jesus. This is happening.
A tremble moves through my body, and my breaths are nothing but quivering puffs over my lips.
“Adriano and Laurie, have you come here to enter into marriage without coercion, freely and wholeheartedly?” the priest asks.
Hell no. Adriano tricked me, but I don’t have a legal leg to stand on.
“I have,” Adriano replies, his intense gaze not leaving mine for a second.
Scowling at him, I mutter, “I have.”
“Since it is your intention to enter into the covenant of Holy Matrimony, join your right hands, and declare your consent before God and His church,” the priest orders.
He’s already holding my hand, old man. Clean your glasses.
“I, Adriano Rizzo, take you, Laurie Barnes, for my lawful wife…” The promise in his tone gets my attention and my thoughts quieten down. “…to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.I will love and honor you all the days of my life.”
A snort escapes me, stunning the living hell out of me, and making a scorching blush sweep up my neck and face.
“Hmm…” The growl from Adriano makes me blush harder, and feeling very embarrassed and awkward, I look down at his shiny, polished shoes.
“Do you need me to say the vows so you can repeat after me, Miss Barnes?” the priest asks.
“Uhm…yeah, please.” I look at him, avoiding Adriano, and repeat like a parrot, “I, Laurie Barnes, take you, Adriano Rizzo, for my lawful husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.I will love and honor you all the days of my life.”
