Total pages in book: 148
Estimated words: 142939 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 715(@200wpm)___ 572(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142939 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 715(@200wpm)___ 572(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
“She’s ready. It’s time.” He inspects me with a critical eye. “I expect you to treat her well, as well as any woman deserves. If you discipline her, don’t leave marks that will mar her face. She’s breedable, as the doctor attests, and I expect heirs sooner rather than later. Otherwise, you’re free to do with her as you like.”
The slimy bastard offers me his hand.
I shake it. It’s what’s expected of me. He knows under normal circumstances I’d never have a prayer of joining his family. But I’ve made a name for myself in the underworld, and I’m moving up faster than anyone else in the syndicate. On top of that, word is that Angelica is the messiest of his daughters. She’s got issues, the kind Constantine has taken great pains to hide.
Not that it matters. I don’t care what’s wrong with her; she’s mine for the taking. I only need her for her name.
“Let’s go. She’ll be coming down the aisle soon.” He pauses. “Well, her mother will be shoving her down the aisle is probably more accurate. In any case, she’ll be your problem now. Not mine.” With that, he strides away into the cathedral.
“Ray of sunshine, that guy.” Gilly smooths his lapels and checks the piece he has tucked under his arm, then turns to me. “You ready, boss?”
“Ready as I’ll ever be for marriage.” I don’t want this albatross around my neck, but it’s the only way to get where I need to go. I’ve had to make plenty of sacrifices to get this far. What’s one more?
I lead the way from the groom’s chambers and walk into the packed cathedral. An old man plays the organ as I walk the red and gold carpet leading to the front where the priest stands, a pompous hat on his head.
“Looks like a chef for Jesus himself,” Gilly cracks.
I give him a look over my shoulder, and he stows the jokes.
I step up to the top, and Gilly stands behind me, his head on a swivel for trouble. Climbing to the top has made me plenty of enemies, ones who’d love to ruin this wedding. I don’t expect they’d strike against Larone, though. They wouldn’t be that foolish.
The organ player shifts to the Wedding March, and the entire room full of the most powerful people in this city stand.
I glance at my watch. Once this deal is done, I have meetings set through the afternoon. A capo’s work is never done.
The doors at the back open, and a veiled woman stands there arguing with Lucrezia Larone. Their voices rise until Lucrezia pushes the woman, her daughter Angelica, down the aisle.
Angelica stands for a moment, unsure of what to do. Then she takes a deep breath and walks down the aisle. Not in a formal sort of way. Just a regular stride, though she wobbles a few times. She either can’t see through the thick veil or isn’t used to walking in heels–maybe both.
Gilly snickers.
I give him a death glare.
When she makes it to the bottom step, she turns and hurls her bouquet at the nearest bridesmaid. More gasps from the crowd.
Then she begins to climb the steps. Her feet tangle in her overdone dress.
I dart out and grab her before she falls, then wrap my arm around her waist and carry her up the steps to the priest.
She makes a raspberry sound with her lips, then starts fussing with her veil. After a bit of digging, she yanks it off her face and drapes it over her head.
“Fucking hell,” she mutters. “What a bunch of bullshit.” Dark hair, red lips, fair skin, and the mouth of a sailor.
My heart seems to stutter, my world turning on its axis as she looks up at me, her deep brown eyes narrowing. “The fuck you looking at?”
Holy shit, the mouth on her makes my cock go rigid and my heart thunder to a new beat. For the first time since I agreed to this deal, I … I think I might have made a mistake.
2
ANGELICA
I glare at Antonio and wait for his response. I brace myself for it. I know one of two things are coming. He’s either going to call this whole thing off–that’s the one I’m hoping he’ll choose–or I’ll be paying for the disrespect that has left my lips. Even the priest is standing there with wide eyes waiting for Antonio’s response.
“I’m staring at my bride.” He grabs my forearm.
I try to yank it away from him, but it’s useless. He pulls me back toward him and snuggles me into his side.
“Begin,” he orders the priest. I can’t believe he’s actually going to go through with this.
“You’ll regret this.” I hiss under my breath to him, realizing it’s too late now.
He’s not backing down, and I’ve already run my mouth. Might as well say whatever I want. The outcome will always be the same. I learned that at a very young age. It didn’t matter how well you behaved, you always got knocked around for something. Might as well give them a reason.