Page 22 of Jealous Vows

He still isn’t here.Even as Valentina shifts her gaze toZioMario, I search for my mystery mafia man.He’s neither at the front with the bridal party nor sitting among the small number of guests.

Valentina doesn’t spare me another glance.She meets her groom at the altar with the most radiant smile.

Feeling more lost and alone than ever before despite the physical nearness of my two most treasured loved ones, my wayward heart lumps Romeo’s absence in with their ambiguous reception of me.

My despondency grows as they live out one of the most beautiful moments of their lives as I stand by like an afterthought.I don’t belong here.It was wrong of me to come.

As soon as the officiant announcesyou may kiss the bride, Valentina tosses her bouquet over her shoulder and reaches forZioMario.

As the only person nearby, I catch the bouquet, but no one notices.

The moment the bride and groom disappear into their car, I run to the bathroom and throw up, but some small part of me refuses to believe the last half hour happened and thinks if I don’t let go of the bouquets, everything will be okay.So I cling to the bundles of flowers even though I know it makes no sense.

My throat burns.Tears stream down my face.My entire abdomen cramps as I dry heave into the toilet.

When my stomach finally relents, I flush and lean back against the wall.My head spins.Hollowness infects my bones.I close my eyes and breathe.

After a while, my heart becomes as numb as my ass from sitting on the hard, cold floor.

I rise, using the wall for balance, and stumble to the sinks.With only one hand since my fingers clench around the bouquets, I turn on the faucet, wash my hand, splash my face, and rinse out my mouth before looking in the mirror.

My reflection stares back at me with forlorn eyes.It’s too much, so I turn and head for the exit.

“Did you see the bride and groom happily wed?”

Alarm spears through me at the familiar voice.I scowl even as my heart leaps with joy as I turn and meet Romeo’s eyes.He leans against the wall in the side hall leading to a supply closet.

“Yes, I did, but you need to leave,” I demand.

“Aw, don’t be like that,bambolina.We’re just getting to the good part.”

Every nerve in my body lights up as my senses sharpen.

“What do you mean?”

He grabs my wrist.I gasp and jerk backward, but he tugs me so hard I stumble forward against his chest.With unrelenting strength, he peels my fingers off the bouquets and rotates my palm upward.After a mockingtskand head shake, he flexes his fingers around my wrist, encouraging a fresh trickle of blood from my cut.

“You made this too easy for me, Sienna,” he murmurs.

He grabs my throat and digs his fingertips into my jugular without restricting my airway.I scratch at his arms and chest, but he subdues me with ease.

As blackness sucks me away from the world, my soul cries out in denial.

I was wrong to come to Valentina and my uncle’s wedding.I foolishly hoped for forgiveness.I stupidly let my guard down and trusted a man.

Romeo was never my savior or my rescuer.My uncle never sent him.He’s a fake and an enemy.

He wants to hurt me.

I’m doomed.

Chapter 8

Romeo Yovanni

Sienna passes out too easily.She goes limp and slumps toward the floor so quickly I almost don’t catch her in time.

I lift her into my arms, carry her into the bathroom, and lock the door.Expecting her to rouse within seconds, I confirm the three stalls are empty, toss the flowers on the counter, sit on the fancy bench in the primping area, and slap handcuffs on her wrists.