“Tempting, and thank you for acknowledging my contributions toward today, but I’d better stay sober. Someone’s got to be.”
“What’s that mean?”
“Nothing, it means you’re hitting that hard, is all.”
“But you saidsomeone. Is my future wife also fortifying herself with God’s sweet nectar?”
Her nose wrinkles in that cute as fuck way. “Don’t call it that. I shouldn’t tell you this, but Valentina’s having a few glasses of wine, that’s all. And you know what? I don’t blame her. This is stressful.”
I gaze toward the window. I never imagined how Valentina was feeling right now. Does she understand who I am? And who we’re getting married in front of today? Stellan will be in the crowd, of course, but so will half the Corsetti outfit alongside several other powerful and influential criminals. Is she afraid? Nervous something bad might happen? Or is this only normal pre-wedding jitters?
“Hey, Prime, are you listening? I asked, do you know where the ring is?”
I pat my jacket pocket. “Right here.”
“Good. Hold on to it. Actually, you know what—“ She walks over and stoops down. A shiver runs down my spine. Deanna’s wearing black silk, a strangely sober outfit for a wedding, but I’m guessing she’s trying to blend in with the staff since she’s the one running the show. Her top shows a hint of her beautiful chest and I glance at the lovely skin, mouth watering.
She opens my jacket, reaches in, and takes the ring herself.
“I’d better?—”
I grab onto her wrist. She tenses in surprise and I don’t let go.
“Let me ask you something.” My voice is low and smokey, a rumble grinding out from my chest. Emotions flicker under the ice-dam of my heart like black shadows in the arctic deep. “Am I ruining this girl? Am I fucking up today?”
Deanna’s teeth bite her lower lip. “It’s a little late to be asking that, isn’t it?”
“I need to know.” I tighten my grip. “Please. No bullshit.”
“I don’t know. Can you actually follow through with your deal? Are you capable of giving her what she wants?” Deanna’s voice cuts me straight through my throat and down into my core. But she brightens quickly. “I’m sure it’ll be fine. Valentina’s a grown ass woman. She can handle herself. You’ll be alright, don’t worry.”
I release Deanna’s wrist. The scent of her perfume lingers as she pulls away, leaving the ring behind, chattering quickly about last minute preparations before escaping from my room.
I pour another drink and down it.
Deanna’s words burn through my skull. Can I give her what she wants? Can I follow through with the promise I made to her? Valentina’s a good person and she’s only doing this because she thinks it’s her best option for starting a family on her own terms.
But am I really the right man for that?
I barely know what I’m doing ten minutes later as I stagger down the corridor. The sound of laughter carries from the guests in the main hall of the waterworks building. The ceremony will be partially outside in front of the river as the sun drifts down behind the trees. I’m told it’s very pretty.
The room’s crowded when I enter. Several women sit nearby, chatting, drinking wine, while more fuss around a large vanity. Valentina’s at the center, her hair getting touched-up, her make up partially finished, a big glass in her hands and a smile on her face. She seems surprised to see me and turns in my direction.
God, she’s beautiful. Stunning. A fantastic figure, olive-toned skin, everything a good Italian man could possibly want.
“We need to talk,” I say, not looking away from her eyes. “Everyone, get out.”
“Hold on.” Valentina laughs like I’m being absurd. “The ceremony’s soon and we’re sort of on a time crunch here. Also, this is bad luck, you know that right?”
“I said, everyone get the fuck out.”
Valentina’s smile fades. Her friends stand and mutter excuses as they hurry away. One lingers, but Valentina dismisses her. I don’t even know any of their names, and in theory they’re all my future wife’s closest confidantes. How the fuck would this work? What was I even thinking?
The make-up and hair ladies are the last to leave and I’m alone with Valentina.
She crosses her legs, seemingly at ease. I’m stunned at how attractive she is. Self-possessed, confident, and intelligent. Her dark eyes sparkle with charm.
“Alright, Prime, you got me alone. What’s going on?”
