56
Alessio
This isn’t just any day.
This is the day Liv and I make it official.
In true Italian tradition, a wedding is a huge ass celebration, a way for both famiglia’s to come together.
But since Liv has no family left, and my father claimed her as part of La Famiglia a while ago, we’re keeping it simple, no extravagant wedding bullshit.
Just signing the marriage certificate in front of our witnesses.
Of course, because I’m the Don over Philly, my witnesses aren’t exactly a couple of nobodies.
The other six Dons of the La Cosa Nostra Commission will be present because this isn’t just some legal formality—it’s a statement to them.
They want to see for themselves who will be the Don’s wife.
Antonio is coming, too.
Not because he wants to, but because he needs to.
He threatened Liv, and he needs to witness with his own eyes that this marriage is happening.
Not that he’s as pissed as before, probably because his first grandkid is on the way, and he’s redirected all that fucking energy elsewhere.
Liv asked me if she needed to wear white, and I told her she could wear a fucking paper bag for all I care.
It’s her choice.
And I mean it.
Who needs a big production when the real deal is what we have and the bond we share?
Yeah, I’m getting fucking sappy.
My mother, on the other hand, has been hounding me for a proper wedding, but I told her she could plan a famiglia dinner instead.
Somehow, though, that one dinner turned into Sunday dinners at my parents’ house every damn week, starting next Sunday.
She said she’d be ‘gracious’ and let us have this week to ourselves since we’re officially tying the knot, but she wasn’t exactly subtle when she started hinting at grandkids.
I love my mom, but I had to tell her to pump the brakes on that shit.
Liv and I have touched on the subject briefly.
It came up once, in passing, and we both agreed we’re not rushing into anything.
An heir is expected when you’re a Don, but there’s no pressure.
If my Sirena never wants kids, I’m good with that, too.
I’m sure one of my sisters will pop one out eventually.
And if not, Kota’s bound to have a whole damn squad.
I’m downstairs, waiting for Liv to finish getting ready.
She’s been up there with Paola for a while now, and I swear to God, I’ve paced this damn floor so many times I’m wearing it down.
“What’s taking so long?” I bark at Kota.
He shrugs.
“You know women, man. They need to look perfect.”
Just as he says it, I see my Sirena stepping onto the staircase, and every thought in my head screeches to a halt.
Her black dress hugs every inch of her just right, stopping above her knees, showing off too much leg.
My eyes drag down, taking in the black high heels that make her legs look like they were made to be thrown over my shoulders.
She’ll be wearing nothing but those later, I’ll make damn sure of it.
Her curls are down, wild and untamed, exactly how I like them.
She always messes with that flat iron, trying to straighten them out, and I’ll never get why.
Her curls make her look every bit the Sirena I’ve fallen for—feral and fucking impossible to resist.
She reaches the bottom of the stairs and stops in front of me, her makeup soft, just enough to highlight those emerald eyes, I can’t get enough of and her full lips glossed in a peachy shade that makes them look way too fucking kissable.
I drag my gaze down, then back up, catching her smirk.
“Like what you see, Warden?” she teases, tilting her head up to me.
I scoff, reaching out and running my fingers over the fabric at her waist, pulling her closer.
“You already know the answer to that.”
Her eyes flick down, taking in my suit before returning to mine.
“All black Armani suit, no tie? Are we leaning too hard into the Mafiosa cliché?”
I smirk.
“You’re one to talk. We look like we’re about to bury someone, not get married.”
She grins, leaning in, “Well, the day’s still young. Maybe it can be both.”
A dark chuckle rumbles in my chest as I slide a hand down to the small of her back.
“That’s why I’m marrying you, Sirena . Always thinking ahead.”
“Ready, lovebirds?” Kota asks, standing by the door with his arms crossed.
“Ready as I’ll ever be,” Liv says, sliding her hand into mine.
Our fingers intertwine, a perfect fit, as we step out the front door, making our way toward the SUV.
But not just any SUV, a new bulletproof, indestructible Navigator that I had customized, complete with reinforced panels, shatterproof glass, and a mechanism to lock the doors from the outside so the doors won’t open from the inside.
Just me thinking ahead.
If shit ever goes south, I need to make sure my Sirena is safe.
I pull the door open, waiting for her to slide in.
Liv glances back at me, smirking.
“Always the gentleman.”
I slap her ass mid-step, making her yelp before she drops into the seat.
“You bet your sweet ass I am.”
I slide in next to her, reaching over to buckle her in before fastening my own.
Kota jumps into the driver’s seat, but all I feel is Liv’s small hand slipping into mine, fingers curling around my knuckles.
“Don’t forget, you owe me a date tonight,” Liv says, her fingers still wrapped around mine.
I lean in, my lips brushing just below her ear, my voice low enough that only she can hear.
“I didn’t forget.” My free hand slides up her thigh, just enough to tease, just enough to make her breath hitch.
“It’s all planned.”
For our wedding night, instead of a reception, Liv asked for a real fucking date planned by me.
No over-the-top bullshit.
Her words, not mine .
Her only request is that it be something meaningful.
So, I thought of the one thing I know she’ll love.
Something that’ll hit deep, whether she admits it or not, and the best part is that she has no idea what I have planned.
I guess I have my new father-in-law to thank for that, as long as this is the only fucking input he has in my marriage.
The drive isn’t too long, and when we finally pull up to the chapel, I take in the sight of it.
It’s small and tucked away on the outskirts of town, like something straight out of a movie.
White stone, arched windows, and a structure almost resembling a mini castle.
It’s not some massive cathedral, not flashy or overdone, but there’s something about it that fits.
The kind of place where words mean something.
It’s simple and intimate, like Liv wanted.
I glance at her, watching her reaction.
This is the first time she’s seeing it, and we made sure no one but us would be here.
Liv stands beside me, fingers fidgeting, looking equal parts nervous and excited.
Just before we’re ready to walk through the door, I stop her and turn her to face me.
“Are you okay?”
“Since I’m the best man and manly maid-of-honor,” Kota cuts in, dramatically flipping his invisible hair even though his real hair is pulled up in a man bun.
I’ll go announce your royal entrance.
”
He takes a few steps toward the door but glances back with a wicked grin.
“Also available for rent as father-of-the-bride. I’ve got a killer emotional speech ready, full of fake tears and everything.”
Liv snorts, but before she can reply, the door swings open, and that’s when she sees Seb standing inside next to Antonio.
And her smile drops instantly.
“They hate me,” she says, eyes fixed on the doorway before turning to me.
“They don’t want you to marry someone like me. Not with my family history.”
I squeeze her hand tighter, lifting it to my chest, right over my heart.
“Too fucking bad. They don’t get a say in what I do or who I choose.”
She swallows, but I see the unshed tears she’s fighting back.
“Alessio, are you sure about this? What if you get tired of me and want a replacement or something? I don’t share and won’t entertain being a side piece.”
I let out a low chuckle.
“You think I’d trade you in for someone else? Not a fucking chance. You’re it for me, trust me when I tell you that.” I lean closer, my breath tickling her ear as my tone drops.
“I may cheat death every damn day, but never on you. ”
Her cheeks flush deep red, and fuck, that look on her face of pure heat and challenge makes my smirk widen.
“Now stop stalling before I punish you for being rude.”
Her lips curl.
“What if I want to be punished?”
Damn, she knows exactly how to get under my skin.
The thought of bending her over the nearest surface and spanking that perfect ass has my dick twitching instantly.
I shake my head, smirking.
“Careful, Sirena . You’re really tempting me.”
I look into Liv’s eyes, trying to read where she’s at.
“You ready for this?”
She nods, and I can see her confidence coming back.
I pull her closer.
“This isn’t just a piece of paper,” I murmur, my lips brushing her ear.
“It’s a promise. And I don’t break promises.”
She grins, “Good, because if you do, I’ll kick your ass.” Her playful attitude makes my chest swell in ways I didn’t even know were possible.
I let out a low chuckle.
“Is that a threat or a promise?”
“Depends on how you behave,” she teases, her emerald eyes are full of fucking mischief.
I smirk.
“Then I better behave myself.” I tilt her chin up, making sure she’s focused on me.
“Now ignore those fuckers in there. It’s you and me… till the fucking end. ”
She lets out a small laugh, but her hand stays right where I want it, over my heart.
“Just you and me.”
I know she’s nervous about going in there.
Antonio was pissed, and she doesn’t know the rest of them.
But she needs to know I’m not throwing her to the wolves.
I brush a strand of hair from her face, my voice softer now.
“You calm the fire in me, Liv.” My fingers trail down her cheek before I grip her chin again, making sure she hears me.
“But I’ll burn the whole damn world down before I let anyone hurt you again.”
We walk in, and Dad wastes no time coming right up to us, pulling Liv in and pressing a kiss to her forehead.
“You’re finally here,” he says.
“Yeah, finally here,” I say, scanning the room just in time to see Cal making his way over.
Cal—the Capo di Tutti i Capi .
The boss of all bosses.
He runs New York and oversees the entire Commission, and being the proud bastard he is, he comes straight over to introduce himself.
“Alessio,” he says, shaking my hand firmly before turning his attention to Liv.
“And you must be Olivia. I’m Pascale, but you can call me Cal. It’s nice to meet you.”
He extends a hand, and for a split second, she hesitates.
Just a quick moment of uncertainty before she shakes his hand.
Gio steps up beside him, clapping a hand on my shoulder.
“Congrats, man.”
“Thanks,” I tell him, smirking.
“So, when are you gonna tell me about that cupcake you bought?” I toss the question out casually, but we both know what I’m really talking about.
The girl he took in Detroit when we shut down Franco’s sting.
Gio chuckles, shaking his head.
“That’s a story for another day,” he says, grinning as he moves to take his seat next to Luca and Gian, the Dons from LA and Miami.
They heard about Liv and are still a bit hesitant around her.
Seb barely looks up, too busy texting on his phone like he’s got better things to do.
Antonio, the old prick, sits there with a permanent scowl, like the mere sight of this wedding is personally offending him.
Fucker.
“Don Valachi sends his best, but he had some things to take care of in Boston,” Cal says, sliding his hands into his pockets.
I nod, but my focus shifts back to Liv, watching her take everything in.
She’s holding her own, standing tall, but I know she feels the weight of all the eyes in the room.
With introductions out of the way, Dad, Cal, and Antonio make their way to the front of the altar.
Being the Capo and the elders, they’re supposed to start the ceremony by sealing our marriage with their blessing.
But I need to change the lineup.
“Antonio, sit this one out.”
He looks up, and for a second, I think he’s going to argue, but he doesn’t.
He nods once and walks back to his seat.
Before I can pull her back to me, Liv steps forward, her hand slipping from my grip, and she walks straight toward Antonio before he sits.
I stay back, giving her the space to do whatever the hell this is, but I’m close enough to intervene if the old prick gets disrespectful.
“For what it’s worth,” she says, sincerely, “I really am sorry about Cindy. I did what I had to do for my family, but I never meant for her to get hurt.”
Antonio stares at her with an unreadable expression.
He doesn’t say a word or acknowledge the apology, but he doesn’t reject it either.
For me, that’s a win.
Liv turns back to me, and without another glance at Antonio, we walk to the end of the aisle together.
The altar looks hand-carved out of cream-colored stone, streaked with darker marble veins running through it.
Right on top is our marriage certificate, already laid out, with a pen next to it, just waiting for us to make this shit official.
Just then, Father Santo steps out from the side and makes his way up to the altar, Bible in hand.
His white hair is thinning, more scalp than strands now, and the deep lines across his face say he’s seen more life than most.
He’s gotta be pushing eighty, maybe older.
He’s the same priest who baptized me thirty-two years ago, when my mom still forced us into church pews every Sunday.
He’s always been quiet, but sharp as hell, even if he moves a little slower these days.
But he’s trusted and has been with our family for decades.
Liv and I aren’t saying vows or standing in front of a crowd exchanging rings.
It’s just the two of us and a signature on paper.
But with Father Santo here, it’s authentic and official in the eyes of the Church, the Commission, and every old bastard who’d dare question it.
Without thinking twice about it, I pick up the pen and sign my name.
Liv does the same.
The ink settles, sealing our names together.
But I’m not done.
I reach into my jacket, pulling out my knife.
The same one I had, the night I met Liv in her apartment.
I flick it open and drag the blade across my palm.
Blood wells instantly, dripping onto the paper .
A blood oath.
The most sacred oath a Don can take in La Cosa Nostra .
We only take it when we become Don.
When we swear our lives to something or someone else, that’s exactly what I’m doing today.
Dad exhales sharply, and I can feel the eyes of the Commission burn holes into me.
I lift my gaze to Liv, locking onto hers, and let the words fall from my lips.
“I swear to love and protect you with my life, no matter what. La famiglia è tutto .”
Liv’s eyes glisten with unshed tears, but before I can say anything, she steps closer and takes the knife from my hand.
“Liv, n—” I start, reaching for her, but she’s already dragging the blade across her palm.
Blood pools, slipping down her fingers before she lets it drip onto the paper, mixing with mine and the room goes fucking still.
I don’t think a woman has ever taken a blood oath in La Cosa Nostra .
When I glance back at the Commission Dons, all I see is approval and fucking respect .
Liv looks up at me, “And I swear to love you and protect you with my life,” she says, putting the knife down.
“You and me… till the end.”
I grab her hand, pressing my bloody palm against hers, sealing our promise.
“Till the fucking end.”