Chapter 23
The church bells rang right as I arrived at the cathedral.
The sound was always calming to me, but today, it sounded as though it was my death sentence.
Barely able to look at my brother, he walked me down the aisle in my designer fit and flare ivory gown with a modern straight neckline, subtle v-back, and a chapel-length train.
The princess seams down the bodice were perfectly sown with inverted godets detailing on the sides of the skirt.
I had wanted something simple but still feel bridal, so I softened the look by wrapping a delicate English net cape across my chest and around my shoulders, letting the rest of the fabric fall down my back.
My hair was up in an elegant high bun with a crystal headpiece.
My mother in the front row pew was in tears.
However, I wasn’t sure if it was because her last child was getting married or if she allowed this to happen without a fight.
She was the only one I could look at, even though I was mad with her just as much as I was with Luca.
My sisters even tried to change Luca’s mind but to no avail.
My threat of taking my own life was a bluff Luca called. He knew I would never do that.
“I promise, B, I’ll make it up to you,” Luca whispered.
“Nothing you can do can compensate for this,” I reply.
Finally reaching the altar, Luca handed me to Gabe.
I force my eyes on him, wanting to smack the evil smile off his face.
In return, I glance at his bandaged hand and shoot him an equal smile.
He slightly twitched his mouth that sent a shiver down my spine.
It took me back to the other night. Luca may believe he set Gabe straight, but the look in Gabe’s eyes told me otherwise.
Taking my hand, Gabe held it so tightly that I thought the blood flow would stop.
Unable to get out of his hold, I dug my nails into his hand as hard as possible.
He will need to know I won’t be going down without a fight.
As the priest spoke, we stood facing each other.
When we got to our vows, I could see from my side view that his brother and family were smiling in victory.
“Do you, Gabriel, take Bethany as your lawfully wedded wife?”
“I do,” he replied.
Now, it was my turn. “Do you, Bethany, take Gabriel as your lawfully wedded husband?”
There was a lump in my throat as I tried to get the word out of my mouth, but I was struggling.
“Yyess,” I forced out.
The priest smiled, unknowingly, that this marriage was against my will. “I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
I felt the vomit burning up my throat and then back down as I swallowed it.
Gabe stepped forward and then disappeared from my line of vision.
The sound didn’t register at first, but as his head jerked to the side, blood splattered everywhere.
I stood stunned as he fell to the ground.
Screams filled and echoed throughout the cathedral.
Something wet was dripping down my face.
I looked down to see Gabe on the floor, his head busted open.
I heard my name as my brain tried to register what was happening. “Bethany!”
Next thing you know, I’m being hauled away to a private room. There, I find Luca and the rest of my family.
“What’s going on?” I asked, shaking.
“I promised I would make it up to you,” Luca said.
Right then, Emilio came walking through the door, quickly shutting it behind him. He hands Luca what appears to be a car lock keypad.
“They are all about to drive off now. Everyone is in place,” Emilio said as he handed it over.
Luca takes the keypad and looks to me as he pushes the button. A loud explosion is heard. He presses another button, and another loud explosion occurs. Everyone in the room except Luca and Emilio crutched down onto their knees from the startling sounds that made the room shake.
Luca handed the keypad back to Emilio, saying, “Make sure to get everyone out of here individually.”
Emilio nodded. As he walked out, he shot me a wink as I stood up straight. I was still stunned at what was going on. When the door was shut, there was a sigh of relief from my mother and sisters.
“Jesus, Luca,” Rita said in a low voice. “Could you have made it any more dramatic?”
“I could have blown up the Church,” he smirked.
My sisters and mother got to their feet.
As my mother fixed her dress, “Are you sure that is everyone?”
“That was everyone,” Luca replied confidently, “They are put behind us.”
“Aw, Bethany,” Isabella came to my aid, pulling out a tissue and wiping my face that was saturated in blood.
Confused, I looked at the small mirror in the room. Looking like Carrie at prom, I stood there covered in blood from head to toe. The red blood stained my blonde hair, fair skin, and ivory dress like I was part of a freak show.
Three men walked in to escort my mother and sisters out of the cathedral. Turning around to face my brother, I was speechless.
“I told you I promise to make it up to you.” Luca looked at me, trying to gauge what I was thinking.
Walking toward him, he braced himself as though I was going to hit him, but instead, I wrapped my arms around him. Squeezing him tightly.
Luca returned the gesture. “You think I’d leave my baby sister high and dry?” he kissed the top of my head.
“You could have done it before I had to say yes,” I huffed.
“I’m a man of honor, B. The priest pronouncing you husband and wife upheld our end of the deal. What happens after that is off the table.”
Pulling out of the hug, “Blowing them all up at once won’t seem suspicious?”
“That was Emilio’s touch on it. Alfie took care of the rest of them back in Nevada.”
“Luca. Do you plan on ever telling Alfie about who he is?”
My brother shook his head, “He can’t ever know B. Give me your word you won’t say anything.”
“Why can’t he know?”
“Imagine growing up in a foster home with no one to adopt you and feeling unwanted and abandoned, only to learn later in life that you are the bloodline to the DeCarlo Family. The anger, hate, and loathing would turn him against us. I rather have him around as one of my men. Keep him close without having to worry whether he will resent us.” Luca spoke as though he had the experience of going through something similar.
Emilio walked in, “Your car is out front. Everything is cleared.”
Luca nodded to him, “Make sure she gets home okay.”
Emilio and I were left in the room after Luca walked out.
“Married and widowed within three seconds,” I comment, “That’s a record.”
Emilio walked toward me, “Are you okay? You’ve been through a lot the last few days.”
“I think I’ll manage.” Holding my hands in front of me, “How do you do it?”
“Do what?”
“Look… calm. You just witnessed a man’s head blown off and an entire family burst into flames.”
He shrugged, “Just a regular day at the office.”
His comment made me laugh nervously.
“Ugh. I look a mess.” As though it would make a difference, I tug on my dress and smooth out my hair, trying to look put together.
“My dick’s never been so hard. Go home. Shower. Put some sexy lingerie on. I’ll meet you there once I get everything settled.”
My dreadful day was making a turn for the better.