Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 70928 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 355(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70928 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 355(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
“It’s okay, baby,” he murmurs lovingly. “We can move the date back to a month from now.”
As he begins to squeeze and rub my arms, my eyes fall shut, and I sink into his embrace.
I have no idea how much time passes before I’m able to form a coherent thought.
“Better?” Christiano asks. I nod, and as he climbs to his feet, he pulls me up along with him while saying, “I understand it’s overwhelming, but once we’re married, things will calm down.”
No, they won’t. If anything, my condition will worsen every time I’m forced to watch him leave for work and return with new bruises and wounds.
The crippling fear of Christiano dying will drive me completely insane.
My tone is emotionless as I say, “Nothing will change your mind about marrying me. Just get the wedding over with.”
He brushes his hand over my hair, slow and reverent as if he’s afraid I might break, and presses a kiss to my forehead. “I wish it didn’t have to be like this.” Pulling back, his features are torn with heartache. “I love you more than anything on this planet. I wish you could see that.”
You love the woman you fell in love with, the version of me who existed before blood and bullets rewrote my life.
That woman’s mind shattered when she thought you died.
That excruciating moment didn’t just break me. It left deep cracks no one else can see, and I feel them every day as my sanity slips through them.
There are times I think my soul did die that day, buried with the grief and shock, and only pieces of it returned after I found out Christiano survived.
When I remain quiet, Christiano lets out a sigh. “Fine. I’ll make all the arrangements and talk to our families. I’ll let you know when the wedding will take place.”
“You do that,” I whisper.
He sucks in a deep breath while shaking his head. For a moment, it looks like he’s going to say something else, but then he turns around and walks out of my apartment.
I pick up my phone and type out a short text.
Don’t come back here. I don’t want to see you until the moment I’m forced to marry you.
A few seconds later, I see Christiano read the message.
Start packing.
His reply makes a shiver sweep down my spine, and I suck in a shaky breath.
Chapter 19
Christiano
In less than forty-eight hours, everything is ready.
I told our parents that the Albanians were becoming a problem, and I was worried it might interfere with the wedding. They couldn’t argue because nothing is more important than the security of the five families.
Mom and Aunt Samantha took my credit card and planned the celebration at the speed of light.
As Uncle Franco smiles while he’s talking with Dad, I take my place by the priest.
We’re saying our vows in my parents’ backyard. There are black couches and side tables situated to our left, where everybody will be able to hangout once the ceremony is over.
Two rows of fairy lights and baby’s breath form an aisle, and as the five families take their seats, my heart begins to beat faster.
Today might not mean anything to Sienna, but it’s everything to me.
Uncle Franco disappears into the house, and when Aunt Samantha comes out, my eyes remain locked on the doors.
The song I’ve chosen for this moment starts to play. I’ll Be There by Giovanna Zou is my promise to Sienna.
When she appears on Uncle Franco’s arm, the air leaves my lungs. She’s wearing a simple white dress, allowing her beauty to shine like a blinding light.
Then it hits me so fucking hard, my body sways before I catch myself.
Sienna is walking down the aisle toward me, and in this moment, it doesn’t feel like a wedding.
It’s the end of the most important war of my life, which I almost lost.
I take a step forward and lock eyes with Uncle Franco. “Thank you for trusting me with Sienna,” I say, my voice steady and filled with all the power I hold. “I swear to you, I will protect her with every ounce of strength I possess. I will give her a life befitting a queen, built on loyalty, respect, and absolute devotion.”
Tugging me into a hug, he pats my back. “Thank you, son.”
When he lets go and I look at Sienna, she quickly wipes tears from her cheeks.
For a split second, I worry that Sienna really doesn’t want to marry me, but I shove the thought aside.
I know she loves me.
Taking her left hand, I close the distance between us and press a kiss to her forehead. I inhale her scent, letting it fill my lungs before I say, “You can proceed, Father.”
The priest guides us through our vows, and it’s the easiest ‘I do’ I’ve ever said in my life.
When it’s Sienna’s turn, my eyes lock with hers.