CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
KAGE
Bella wanted an outdoor wedding, and if I’ve learned anything about my little brother’s relationship, it’s that Bella gets what she wants. I glance down the row of chairs beside me, and glance at my brother, Bones, holding onto Athena like she’s a kite in a windstorm, not unlike the way I currently have my arm wrapped around Raina. Reaper stands at the makeshift altar, an archway covered in greenery, an assortment of flowers I know my girl had a part in, complete with twinkling lights.
His expression is intense as he waits for his bride, like at any moment he’s going to sprint away and find his missing piece. The music starts and Bella comes into view, and my brother’s face changes in an instant. Gone is the clenched jaw, and it’s replaced with something I’ve never seen from him. Pure emotion.
Raina squeezes my thigh as Bella walks down the aisle, with Psycho escorting her. She looks stunning in a floor length white gown, diamonds lining the ‘V’ neck, while she carries red roses. She makes it halfway and stops walking, holding her hand to her chest and taking a deep breath, as Psycho says something in her ear. The emotion is thick in the air, as she makes it the rest of the way to my brother.
The dark brown wooden chairs are set up on the grass, with a dark red aisle runner on the ground. It’s a small wedding, with about one hundred people attending. Reaper could’ve had hundreds here easily, but wanted to keep it on the smaller side to avoid issues. There are other families here, and he had to be careful about which ones to invite, to not cause problems. We get along with many of the other families. The Bonettis don’t go looking for trouble, but if it shows up at our door, we will handle it. Our number one most profitable business is selling weapons to others in our world. Our manufacturer only sells to us, so if they want the guns of this caliber, there’s nowhere else to get them.
Bella hands Psycho her flowers, which makes me chuckle softly. He kisses her on the cheek, and Raina coos an audible, “Aww.”
My oldest brother would be very quick to tell you he doesn’t have a heart, and doesn’t give a fuck about anybody, but that’s simply not true. In most cases, it is, but the crazy ass has a soft spot for Bella. She’s different from most women we know. I think his insanity appreciates hers.
I hold Raina tighter, as we listen to Reaper and Bella say their vows.
“My living dead girl,” Reaper says with a shake of his head, like he can’t believe he’s here.
“One look in your eyes changed my life. I must have been a better man in a past life to deserve you, because in this one, I don’t. Even so, I’ll keep you, protect you, and fucking love you like it’s my goddamn job.”
The disapproval flashes across the minister’s face before he quickly hides it. Reaper holds Bella’s hand, like he has to be touching her, and I know the feeling well.
She wipes a tear from her cheek as she takes a deep breath.
“Nico, you took a sad, unloved girl and made her whole. I don’t say the word ‘took’ lightly,” she says with a narrowed gaze, making those of us in the know laugh quietly.
“You crashed into my world, and destroyed everything I thought I knew about myself. I never knew love like this even existed. The kind of intensity that you’d burn the entire world down to keep. It’s what we have. And I’d kill everyone in my way to keep it.”
The minister rubs at his temple, as Raina pulls her bottom lip between her teeth, trying to stifle a giggle. I’m pretty sure that’s the first time someone has referenced killing people in their vows, but that describes both Reaper and Bella to a ‘T’.
“You may kiss the bride,” the minister says, and I’m pretty sure he’s relieved his part is done.
Reaper places his hands on Bella’s face and lowers his head, capturing her lips with his. He kisses her like he’s trying to suck the soul out of her, and maybe he is.
He takes her hand in his as the minister announces, “For the first time, I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Bonetti.”
Raina wipes a tear from her eye, as we watch them walk down the aisle as husband and wife, while I know my little brother confirmed something for me today.
Raina will be my wife.
We stand up, and I take her hand in mine.
“I want to show you something.”
Walking to the other side of the property, she smiles as we make it to a massive garden.
“Oh my God. Reaper gardens?”
I chuckle softly.
“Definitely not, but his gardener does.”
She walks around the different flowers, stopping to inhale their scents with a heavenly smile on her lips.
“Thank you for showing this to me,” she says, and I pull her into my arms. I’ve been carrying this damn ring in my pocket for weeks, trying to figure out the perfect time. Maybe there isn’t one, but there is a perfect woman, and she’s it.
“Firecracker, I’ve been thinking about this for weeks now, trying to figure out how to do things perfectly, because you deserve that. You deserve a better man than me. Someone that knows all the right shit to say, but you’ll have to settle for me, because I’ll never let another man within a foot of you.”
I clear my throat softly.
“The day I found you hiding from me was the best day of my life. I didn’t know it then, but I do now. I’m never going to be a man that’s gentle with you, because it’s not who I am.”
I dig into my pocket, as she stares at me with unshed tears in her eyes.
I open the ring box.
“Marry me, Raina. Become the Bonetti you are meant to be. Be mine for fucking eternity.”
A soft smile forms on her lips and she speaks low, her voice filled with emotion, “Yes, Lorenzo, I’ll marry you.”
“Good,” I say with a smirk, “It wasn’t a request.”
She rolls her eyes, feigning annoyance, but I already know she wouldn’t have wanted a proposal with me on bended knee. That’s not the man I am, and she takes me as I am. One of the many reasons I love her.
After placing the ten carat square diamond ring on her hand, I take her into my arms and kiss her. First it’s slow and passionate, before it turns aggressive and desperate. My tongue slides against hers, as a moan escapes from her lips, making me ravenous for her. I pull back and stare at her, taking in all of her delicate features. Her green eyes sparkle under the moonlight as she places her hand on my cheek.
“I love you, Lorenzo.”
“I love you too, Firecracker.”
Raina Abruzzo was never supposed to be mine. She was from a rival family, and was meant to die with the rest of them, but with one look at her, I knew I had to take her. This woman knocked my entire world out of balance, and then righted it in a way only she could. Mafia men are not happy, but this is as close to it as it fucking gets for me. Like my brother and his new wife, I’d kill a million people if they stood in my way of Raina. Things change as the world turns, but one thing will always remain the same. She is mine.
The reception is coming to a close, as we stand with my brothers and their wives.
“Where the fuck is Psycho?” Bones asks.
I shrug, because I don’t remember seeing him since the ceremony ended.
Raina looks at me with confusion as her phone starts ringing. She takes it out of her purse and stares at the phone in shock, as I see ‘Psycho’ flashing across the screen.
Where is my brother, and why the fuck is he calling Raina?
I take her cell from her hand and answer it on speakerphone.
“Where are you?” Bones asks.
“Doesn’t matter,” Psycho responds and then adds, “Raina, I’m sending you a picture, and need you to tell me if you recognize the person in the photo.”
I open the message, and we all huddle around and look at the image.
A naked brunette woman is tied to a St. Andrew’s Cross with rope. Blood drips down her thighs, and the expression on her face is one of extreme horror. Something only Psycho can provide.
“That’s the ADA. That’s Anastasia Crowne,” Raina gasps.
“Oh, little lamb. You lied about who you are,” he says, his voice dripping with evil.
Bones says, “Psycho, you cannot fucking kidnap the Assistant District Attorney.”
My brother responds plainly.
“You’re wrong, Bones. I already did.”
And the line goes dead.