Chapter 33 – Althea
ALTHEA
Everyone is here.
The house is all abuzz with people trying to get things done, and I’m full of nervous energy.
I’m not nervous about getting married, but about the wedding itself.
I made some changes to the event and didn’t get Enzo’s approval.
I’m hoping he’ll go with it. When Hex came back and told me he was able to get Enzo’s makeup done with no pushback from him, I was shocked.
I thought for sure Enzo was going to put his foot down and bitch about it.
Mostly because the original plan he had for the wedding, although a very thoughtful gesture, was designed for a fairytale princess more than a Mafia bride.
“Have all the flowers arrived?” I ask Giselle.
She came in shortly after Chloe, Liam, and Drew arrived.
She and Chloe have been running around helping Vella change out all her crisp white decorations for the black and crimson red ones I asked for.
I had a hard time envisioning anything pertaining to Enzo and me being such a clean and pure color.
We’re darkness and chaos. So, when I made the request to change things up and create a special moment that resembles the two of us, his aunt Vella, although not pleased to undo all her work, obliged.
The large reception room has been transformed into a ballroom, just like I asked for.
Gone were all the white daisies and lace. All beautiful things, none of which fit our story. We needed something themed more for a little devil and her Master of Death.
Vella had chairs set out on both sides of the room with a makeshift aisle down the middle, each lined with black satin bows and dark red roses with small skulls in the center.
The archway is covered in spiderwebs and black tulle.
There are huge red roses and larger skulls dispersed evenly on either side.
The four black lanterns hanging from the center with flickering flame lights give the stage where we will say our vows a soft, spookish glow.
Mama spent most of the morning doing all of our hair and makeup while the three of us girls giggled and talked about everything under the sun. I was wrong to be jealous of Giselle. The way she speaks about Enzo, and how he takes care of her sounds similar to the way he is with me.
She’s told me stories about him getting into fights over Giselle.
“Like one time, when he learned someone had made fun of me because my hair was a mess. Which it was.” She giggles.
“But the boy who teased me told me I should tell my mom to do a better job because I looked like a homeless hobo. Well, naturally, I came home in tears, asking to have all my hair cut off. It was the dramatic response of a seven-year-old girl.” She laughs.
“But Enzo wouldn’t hear of it. I don’t know exactly what happened.
But I know my uncle Marcello drove Enzo, Naz, and Mauro to find the boy, leaving me with my Aunt Connie and the rest of the kids.
The boy who made fun of me came to school the next day with a broken arm and a busted eye. ”
“He deserved it.” Is my only response. Chloe jokes about how Enzo and I are two peas in a pod, while telling the story about the football player in college who thought it would be a good idea to drug my best friend at a party.
“Unfortunately for him, Althea caught on to what had happened and she, Liam, and Drew took me home before anything worse happened.” Chloe narrows her eyes at me.
“But when I woke up the next morning, it was to text messages and photos of the same football player, tied to a tree wearing only a pair of women’s panties and the words ‘pig fucker’ tattooed into his forearm in old English style lettering. ”
Giselle cracks up laughing. Mama tries to stifle her laughter, but she already told me how proud she was of my creative streak.
If it had been her, she would’ve cut off his balls.
Not a bad idea, but a little harder to avoid jail time.
A drunken night in a tattoo parlor is much more believable and a lot less likely my fault when explained in the courts.
“Okay, ladies. It’s time. Get your dresses,” Mama instructs.
Chloe and Giselle’s dresses are full length, red satin gowns with black ribbons around their waists and black heels. Their masks are simple black lace eye covers that tie around their heads.
My dress is crimson red with black lace appliqué along the bottom and up the bodice.
It’s off the shoulder with a low-cut center reaching almost to my navel.
Sexy yet classy. My mask is a red satin cover with black lace edges.
Mama made a tight bun on top of my head with long dark spiral curls spilling out of the top and two small, red horns poking out. One on each side.
His little devil indeed.
But it’s what’s under the dress that I’m certain will capture my husband’s attention the most.
Let’s hope he doesn’t shred this one.
The men were instructed to have their faces painted, the same way the dungeon masters did for Halloween. Hex volunteered to handle that for me. He seemed to take pride in the fact I asked him to oversee such a thing.
I canceled the quartet Enzo originally scheduled and asked Chloe to bring a copy of the trance music they played in the main room at The Mansion on Halloween, and Liam provided a smoke machine with citrus and jasmine oils to scent the air.
Everyone has gathered inside. The men have all taken their places. Daemon ushered Mama inside and then sat beside her in the front row, begrudgingly I’m sure, but Mama won’t be told no by anyone. Daemon’s a good sport for obliging her.
Nazario even brought his guest. The woman who’s been staying in his cottage this week, whom no one has seen except his guards and Mauro.
I don’t know why he’s kept her secret. Vella insisted she come to the wedding and bought her a costume to conceal her identity and gave Nazario hell about keeping a woman locked away all by herself when there’s so much beauty to be enjoyed here.
The music has started, and the girls are making their way down the aisle. Papa and I are watching from the back, out of sight of all the others. I can’t see Enzo from here, but I can feel him.
The bridal march starts, and with my bouquet of black and red roses in hand, Papa takes my arm in his, then walks me to meet Enzo. The moment our eyes meet, my heart begins to race and my stomach twists in anticipation. His makeup is perfectly done. The mask of Death just like it was on Halloween.
We reach the front of the room, and Enzo’s eyes still haven’t left mine.
Papa hands me off to Enzo. Nazario and Mauro stand beside him.
The smoke trickles out, surrounding the two of us as if we’re in our own little bubble, alone.
I don’t hear the prayer or the sentiments of the Priest. I barely remember reciting our vows.
It’s as if time has stood still until he tells Enzo, “You may now kiss your bride.”
Enzo’s response is to devour my lips with his.
He doesn’t care that there’s a room full of people watching us.
He’s not paying any attention to the catcalls and the whistling erupting from our friends and family.
All that matters in this moment is that I’m his and he is mine.
And without hesitation, I tell him, “I love you, Enzo. This isn’t fake for me.
This isn’t a business arrangement. I fell in love with you, and I am proud to call you husband. ”
Enzo’s forehead rests against mine, his eyes dancing with amusement and his lips tipped up in a sinister smile.
“That’s good to know. Since I’m pretty sure I’ve been in love with you since the moment you walked your sexy little ass into The Mansion and filled out the membership papers.
I knew then that you were meant to be mine. ”