Keeping an arm clamped around me, he brushes his palm over the side of my face while his eyes take mine prisoner. “It’s time to go home, my wife.”
“N-o,” I hiccup before dissolving into a puddle of desperate tears, my legs going numb.
Adriano bends slightly, and without any effort, picks me up bridal style.
One of his hands is hooked beneath my knees while the other keeps me pressed to his solid chest, making it feel impossible to escape.
I can’t think straight as paralyzing fear fills my being. My sobs echo around us as Adriano carries me to the exit like I weigh nothing.
God, I can still smell the gunpowder clinging to him.
My stomach lurches violently as the memory of the man being killed flashes through my mind.
Once again, the priest just stands with his hands folded in front of him and a sad expression on his face while watching Adriano carry me out of the cathedral.
I’m going to throw up.
“P-please,” I try again, gripping the lapels of Adriano’s jacket. “Please l-l-let me g-go.”
“Shh…” His voice is calm, and it only terrifies me more when he says, “You’re safe.”
How can I be safe when he’s the danger?
I realize the body has already been removed when I see the blood being hosed off. It flows over the grass before sinking into the holy ground.
When we reach the SUV, Little Ricky opens the back door.
My eyes dart up and down the street, but there’s no one.
Not letting go of me, Adriano gets in, and the door is shut.
I stare at one of his men, who’s smoking a cigarette while Paulie tosses the hose aside.
Little Ricky starts the engine, and when the SUV pulls away from the curb, Adriano presses a kiss to my temple before saying, “You weren’t supposed to see that. I’m sorry,mia piccola farfalla.”
But I did see it. The sound of gunshots and Adriano killing that man without batting an eye will forever be ingrained into my mind.
Lost sobs drift over my lips as I blindly stare through blurry eyes at the passing scenery.
He adjusts the skirt of my dress, then taking hold of my chin, he forces my head back. When my gaze locks with his soulless one, the weird sensation that thorns prick my skin rushes over my body.
Adriano doesn’t look so angry anymore, and as he stares at me, the corner of his mouth lifts. “I finally get to kiss my bride.”
Still stuck in the ungodly trance, I do nothing when he leans down and presses a tender kiss to my mouth. It feels like it’s loaded with emotion, which is impossible because he doesn’t have a heart.
Lifting his head again, he gives me a tender look. “Mine.”
A bizarre mixture of a sob and laughter bursts from me. My body shakes, and I figure I’m losing my mind as I laugh and laugh until tears steam down my face.
Maybe the past week never happened.
Maybe this is just a freaky-ass nightmare.
Maybe I’ll wake up alone in bed, get ready for work, and watch Austin snoring on the couch before I leave to catch my train.
“Shh… It’s going to be okay. You’re safe,mia piccola farfalla.” With my face pressed into Adriano’s jacket while he rubs his hand up and down my back, his tone turns obsessive as he says, “I have you.”
God help me.
