Epilogue 1
A week later…
They're all here. I still have a hard time believing it, but Elli, Jo, and Sari are fussing over my veil while Gigi carefully rearranges one of the locks she curled into my hair.
"You look so beautiful," Jo gushes.
We flew in yesterday, first on Antonio's private jet and then on what they call an island hopper. It is a little twin-engine plane that landed right on the water and took us to the beach.
I've seen pictures of the Maldives, Gigi showed me images of different islands and hotel accommodations, leaving the final decision to me, but none of those pictures do the real thing any justice.
The water is aqua blue, looks more like a pool than the real thing, and is crystal clear.
Bungalows are strewn from the beach right into the water, held up by wooden poles and interconnected by wooden walkways.
Each bungalow is like a little castle with its own swimming pool and jacuzzi, but the one Antonio and I are sharing is like a palace.
It’s obscenely oversized for just the two of us, with an honest-to-God slide going into the ocean.
Not that I'm complaining; I'm loving the lavish lifestyle we're living.
It makes up for the inconveniences that come with it.
Not that I wouldn't trade it for living in a cave with Antonio if it meant neither one of us would ever be in danger.
Then again, that's the man I chose. Part of my attraction to him was his dangerous persona.
I loved every minute of the flight here, impressing my friends and taking care of them.
All three have declared they won't settle for anything less than their own mafia don now.
I don't think they really understand what comes with this life.
On the other hand, before I met Antonio, I would have never thought myself capable of the things I'm doing and condoning now, so there's that.
"Here, have a fauxjito, you look way too serious for a bride." Gigi presses a glass into my hand. She's right. This is my wedding day. There is no room for these kinds of deep thoughts.
"Thank you," I bring the sweet liquid to my lips and sip.
"Are you ready?" Elli wants to know.
I stare into the mirror. Am I ready?
"I'm ready," I grin back at her through my reflection. "Let's do this; let's get me hitched."
Gigi winks at me. She's the only one in the group who knows that I've been Mrs. DeLuna for some weeks now, and that I freaking love it.
It's a long walk from our palace, past several bungalows, to the beach, but time seems to fly by. My dad waits for me at the end of the long pier, looking handsome in his tux. My friends hug me and hurry on ahead to wait for me by the altar erected for this occasion.
"You sure you want to do this?" Dad asks for the umpteenth time. "We can still run away."
"I'm good, Daddy. Better than good. I love Antonio."
He holds out his arm, and I take it as the music starts playing the song I selected. My dress is traditional, white, with a veil and train. It is wide and flowing, but my feet are bare. The warm sand underneath them feels like heaven.
Only a few guests are present, since Edoardo wasn't too happy to hear about Antonio's choice in a bride and threatened us just like he had Enrico and Marcello, who are both here with their wives. I met them last night and like them very much. They make good allies for us.
By the altar are my friends and Gigi. On the other side stand Antonio's best men, including Vito, but that's where I stop thinking; all I see is him : Antonio, my husband.
He’s more handsome than ever in his traditional black tux. His slicked-back black hair is blowing in the slight breeze, messing whatever style he had it in. My knees weaken, and I lean a bit harder on Dad.
"Still not too late."
"Dad!" I half yell, but still smile. He has successfully distracted me.
Vito asks the question, "Who gives this bride?"
Dad answers, "Me," before he walks up to the small stage, where he will officiate our wedding. It took some cajoling, but he finally gave in. It's probably not easy for him to give his only daughter to a mafia don, but it means the world to me.
As Dad clears his throat, Antonio and I face each other, "When Scarlet was born, I made her a promise—to protect her, always be there, and never let anyone harm her.
I didn't always keep that promise, and giving her away today is not easy, but I know she is in the hands of a man who will do anything to keep her safe. "
His gaze settles on Antonio, "Antonio, you have proven, in ways I never expected, that you would lay down your life for my daughter. You are a man of power, of control, of ruthlessness when necessary. But in Scarlet, you have found your balance. In you, she has found her home."
He clears his throat as tears sting my eyes.
"Marriage is built on loyalty, trust, and the unwavering choice to stand beside each other, no matter the storms that come. And I have no doubt that the two of you will face those storms together.
"Now, let’s get to what really matters. The vows. I understand you have each prepared your own?"
Antonio's eyes lock on mine and he takes my trembling hands in his, squeezing lightly, "Scarlet, I don’t know how the hell you did it, but from the moment you crashed into my life, you ruined me.
I was a man built on vengeance, on power, on control.
And then you—" he exhales, shaking his head slightly, "—you tore through all of that. You made me want more.
"I told you once that you were a barb in my heart—lodged so deep that no matter what I did, I couldn’t pull you out.
" My breath hitches at the memory, and his thumb brushes over my knuckles. "What I didn’t realize then was that I never wanted to. Because without you, my heart wouldn’t just be wounded—it wouldn’t exist at all. "
Tears fill my eyes, I would have never thought that my proud, savage husband would lay his emotions bare like this.
"You are fire and fury, strength and softness, my little passerotta, my heart, my home."
His jaw tightens, his voice dips lower, "I vow to protect you, to cherish you, to never let you go. I vow to give you everything— my name, my loyalty, my life, my soul. I vow that no one will ever touch you, that no one will ever take you from me.
"You are mine, Scarlet. My barb. My heart. My world. And I will love you until the day I take my last breath."
Now, a tear does spill down my face. This pregnancy is making me way too emotional.
"Scarlet?" Dad prods.
I swallow the lump in my throat, and in a hoarse voice, I begin to recite,
"Antonio, you are the most stubborn, infuriating, overprotective man I have ever met."
A chuckle rumbles in his chest, but his eyes are molten with emotion.
"You are also the man who stole my heart before I even realized it was missing. You are ruthless and dangerous, but you are also the man who makes me feel safe. Who kisses my forehead when I have nightmares? Who looks at me like I’m the only thing that exists in the world?"
His eyes are so green, I nearly get lost in them and stumble for a moment. "You… you told me once that you would burn the world down for me. But you are my world, Antonio. And I don’t need fire or fury—I just need you."
He squeezes my hand.
"I vow to stand by your side, no matter what. To fight for us, for our family, for everything we are building. I vow to love you with everything I am, through the good, the bad, and the absolute insanity that is our life together. I vow to never run, to never hide, to always be yours."
Another tear slips down my cheek, dammit. Antonio reaches up and brushes it away with his thumb.
Dad clears his throat. "Antonio, place the ring on Scarlet’s finger and repeat after me."
Antonio slides the diamond-encrusted band onto my finger, his voice steady and commanding as always. "With this ring, I claim you as mine. In this life and the next."
Dad turns to me. "Scarlet, place the ring on Antonio’s finger and repeat after me."
I do as he says, even though my fingers tremble, and Antonio has to steady me. "With this ring, I stand beside you. In this life and the next."
Dad nods once. "By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss?—"
He doesn't get to finish before Antonio grips my waist and pulls me into him, crushing his mouth to mine in a deep, claiming kiss. The wind catches the edges of my dress as I melt against him. When we finally break apart, Antonio rests his forehead against me, his lips barely brushing mine.
"Mine," he murmurs.
"Yours," I breathe back.
We turn to the others, and cheers break out, congratulating us. A small, intimate feast has been set up on the beach, but I stop Antonio when he leads me toward the place of honor.
I push my hand hard against his chest.
"What are you doing?" He wants to know.
"Driving the barb in deeper," I tease, and he throws his head back and laughs.