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stepped in, followed by mother.
Wow, Aria, you are gorgeous. Your hair looks like spun gold, Valentina said. She was already
wearing her bridesmaid dress and the mint color looked gorgeous with her dark hair. Technically, only
unmarried women were allowed to be bridesmaids but my Uncle had insisted we make an exemption for
Valentina. He was really keen to find a new husband for her. Bibiana wore a floor-length maroon dress
with long sleeves, despite the summer heat. It was probably meant to hide how thin she d gotten.
I forced a smile. Mother took Lily s arm. Come on, Liliana, your cousins need to talk to your
sister. She led Lily out of the room, then looked back at Gianna who sat cross-legged on the sofa.
Gianna?
Gianna ignored her. I m staying. I won t leave Aria alone.
Mother knew better than to argue with my sister when she was in a mood and so she closed the
door.
What are you supposed to talk to me about?
Your wedding night, Valentina said with an apologetic smile. Bibiana made a face, which
reminded me how young she was. Only twenty-two. She d gotten thin. I couldn t believe they d chosen to
send those two to talk to me about my wedding night. Bibiana s face spoke of her unhappiness. Since her
wedding to a man almost thirty years her senior, she d been fading away. Was that meant to soothe my
fears? And Valentina had lost her husband six months ago in an altercation with the Russians. How could
they expect her to talk about wedded bliss?
I smoothed my dress nervously.
Gianna shook her head. Who sent you anyway? Luca?
Your mother, Bibiana said. She wants to make sure you know what s expected of you.
Expected of her? Gianna hissed. What about what Aria wants?
It s what it is, Bibiana said bitterly. Tonight Luca will expect to claim his rights. At least, he s
good looking and young.
Pity for her kindled in me, but at the same time my own anxiety made it hard to console her. She was
right. Luca was good looking. I couldn t deny it, but that didn t change the fact that I was terrified of being
intimate with him. He didn t strike me as a man who was gentle in bed. My stomach lurched again.
Valentina cleared her throat. Luca will know what to do.
You just lie on your back and give him what he wants, Bibiana added. Don t try to fight him; that
will only make it worse.
We all stared at her and she looked away.
Valentina touched my shoulder. We re not doing a good job at consoling you. Sorry. I m sure it ll
be alright.
Gianna snorted. Maybe mother should have invited one of the women Luca s fucked to the
wedding. They could have told you what to expect.
Grace is here, Bibiana said, then she turned red, and stammered. I mean, that s only a rumor. I
She looked toward Valentina for help.
One of Luca s old girlfriends is here? I whispered.
Bibiana cringed. I thought you knew. And she wasn t really his girlfriend, more like a plaything.
Luca s been with many women. She snapped her mouth shut. I was fighting for control. I couldn t let
people see how weak I was. Why did I even care if Luca s whore was at the wedding?
Okay, Gianna said getting up. Who the fuck is Grace and why the fuck is she invited to this
wedding?
Grace Parker. She s the daughter of a New York senator who s on the payroll of the Mafia,
Valentina explained. They had to invite his family.
Tears blurred my vision and Gianna rushed toward me. Oh don t cry, Aria. It s not worth it. Luca s
an asshole. You knew that. You can t let his actions get to you.
Valentina handed me a Kleenex. You ll ruin your make-up.
I blinked a few times until I had a grip on my emotions. I m sorry. I m just being emotional.
I think it s best if you leave now, Gianna said sharply, not even looking at Bibiana and Valentina.
There was rustling and then the door opened and closed. Gianna wrapped her arms around me. If he
hurts you, I ll kill him. I swear it. I ll take one of those fucking guns and put a hole into his head.
I leaned against her. He survived the Bratva and the Triad, and he s the most feared fighter in the
New York familia, Gianna. He d kill you first.
Gianna shrugged. I d do it for you.
I pulled back. You re still my little sister. I should protect you.
We will protect each other, she whispered. Our bond is stronger than their stupid oaths and the
Omerta and their blood vows.
I don t want to leave you. I hate that I have to move to New York.
Gianna swallowed. I ll visit often. Father will be glad to be rid of me.
There was a knock and Mother walked in. It s time. She scanned our faces but didn t comment.
Gianna took a step back, eyes burning into me. Then she turned and walked out. Mother s eyes zoomed in
on the white lace garter on my vanity. Do you need help putting it on?
I shook my head and slid it up until it came to rest on my upper thigh. Later tonight Luca would
remove it with his mouth and throw it into the group of gathered bachelors. I smoothed down my wedding
dress.
Come, Mother said. Everyone s waiting. She handed me my flower bouquet, a beautiful
arrangement of white roses, mother of pearl roses, and pink ranunculas.
We walked in silence through the empty house, my heels clacking on the marble floors. My heart
was pounding in my chest as we stepped through the glass sliding door onto the veranda overlooking the
backyard and the beach. The front of the garden was occupied by the huge white pavilion where the
wedding ceremony would be held. But behind the pavilion dozens of tables had been set up for the
following feast. Voices carried over to me from inside the pavilion where the guests were waiting for my
arrival. A path of red rose petals led from the veranda toward the entrance of the pavilion. I followed
mother into the small room between the outside and the main part of the pavilion. Father was waiting and
straightened when we entered. Mother gave him the briefest nod before slipping into the makeshift chapel.
His smile was earnest when he offered me his arm. You look beautiful, he said quietly. Luca won t
know what hit him.
I ducked my head. Thanks, Father.
Be a good wife, Aria. Luca is powerful and once he takes his father s place, his word will be law.
Make me proud, make the Outfit proud.
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