I can feel the priest look at me but I keep my eyes glued to Gabriel’s face. Let him see me – all of me – and feel guilt for doing this.
“And do you, Aurora Rossi, take this man, Gabriel Romano, to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
There’s no getting out of this. I have accepted my fate in order to save my father.
“I do,” I say in a clear, strong voice. Gabriel will never be able to take my strength away from me.
That is one thing I am keeping for myself.
Chapter Six
Aurora
Gabriel and I stand outside the church, accepting our congratulations from the guests he invited. They’re all the people from the party. I recognize George instantly and find myself recoiling. I bump into Gabriel and he steadies me.
Leo shakes Gabriel’s hand. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”
“I do, Leo. And as my right hand, it would be best if you avoided passing judgment on my wedding day.”
Leo flicks his eyes to mine and scowls. “You should have married a woman for political gain. She will give you nothing.”
“I am at the top. I don’t need more political gain. I am your boss. Accept it.”
“Of course, boss. I was just saying.”
Gabriel’s hand on my back tenses. “You don’t need to say anything, Leo. You’re my right hand. Not my boss. I didn’t ask for your opinion on this.”
Leo turns to me and gives me a stiff bow. “Congratulations on your wedding.” He walks away before I can say anything.
“Why does he have an issue with this?” I whisper to Gabriel.
“Leo has always been opinionated but he’s a good man to have on my side.”
Rocco, the middle aged man from the party, walks over to us with a young woman beside him. The girl looks to be only a little bit younger than me. “Gabriel, congratulations. Luciana and I are happy for you.”
“Thank you, Rocco. I always appreciate your support.” He shakes Rocco’s hand. “And Luciana, you’re growing up. How old are you now?”
“I’m eighteen.” She has a soft, demureness to her, like she’s Audrey Hepburn come to life again.
“I can’t believe it. Rocco has raised you well.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Once they leave, I turn to Gabriel. “I don’t know any of these people.”
“Rocco is an old ally and Luciana is his daughter. She lost her mom when she was young. I’ve always had a soft spot for them.”
A flare of anger hits me. “I also lost my mom when I was young, yet you don’t have a soft spot for me or my dad.”
Gabriel looks at me for a long, tense moment. “You’re right. I don’t.” His eyes flick to the next person approaching. “Ginevra, it’s nice to see you again.”
The woman in question is tall and blonde with piercing blue eyes. “Gabriel. It’s been a while. I’m sorry I couldn’t attend your party the other night. But I was happy to attend your wedding.” There’s the tiniest scowl on her face. I’m not sure if she’s lying about what she’s saying or if that’s just how she looks. “And this is your new wife. Aurora, is it? You came out of nowhere. No one knows anything about you. Why did Gabriel marryyou, of all people?”
“The details are not important,” Gabriel says.
Ginevra leans in close to my ear. “I would be careful if I were you. Gabriel has a tendency to fuck women bloody and leave them afterwards.” She pulls back and offers me a smile. “Congratulations on the wedding.” Ginevra walks away in her stiletto heels and I’m left speechless.
Why did she tell me that? Is it true? Gabriel is not a good man but so far, he hasn’t tried to rape me. Will he now that we’re married?
