Chapter 27
Chapter Twenty-Seven
KENNEDY
We’re getting married.
Three little words never sounded so bizarre. They replay in my mind on an endless loop, and my what-the-fuck meter rockets off the charts.
Married?
In what twisted universe are we getting married?
Enzo is many things. Lethal. Ruthless. A notorious kingpin with a staggering body count—both in the psychotic killer way and the sexual way.
But marriage material?
No way. Not a fucking chance.
My heart pounds erratically as this chaotic whirlwind hits me in waves. One minute, he’s handing me to his uncle. The next, he’s marrying me?
This man is one big clusterfuck of mixed signals, that’s for sure.
But then there’s the way he’s kissing me, and it isn’t even a question. He wants to marry me. All signs point to yes. Especially his whopper of a cock. And the deeper his kiss goes, searching, needing, taking, the easier it is to convince myself he’s serious.
Because, dear God, the man can kiss. Hands down, it’s the best kiss of my life.
But the second Enzo pulls me against him like he’s about to drill me into the nearest tree, I snap back to reality with a rock-solid thud. Heat flares, and in a rush, I break away.
With so many eyes on me, I might as well be a billboard.
“I’m not marrying you,” I blurt out, loud and defiant.
A hush falls across the lawn of, oh, I don’t know, two hundred people. As I take it all in, every puzzle piece falls into place.
Black tuxes.
Champagne overflowing.
A ten-tier cake that’s bigger than my apartment.
My eyes bulge. “Are we at a wedding?” I manage to eke out, desperately trying to tamp down my dizzying hyperventilation.
The man who was ready to strangle me two seconds ago raises his hand. “You’re at my wedding.” He motions across the way, and I see a beautiful woman in a white gown that ombres to pink. “That’s my bride.”
All the air releases from my lungs in a whoosh.
His brother, Dante, strides over, grinning as he kisses me on both cheeks. “It’s good to see you again, Kennedy. In case you’re having second thoughts, let me reinforce that you’d be marrying the dark lord of the underworld, Satan himself.” He smirks.
“My Bella knows me better than anyone.”
Do I ?
Knox is not-so-subtly trying to get my attention from the entryway, motioning with his hand as he mouths, “One or two.”
Subtly, I use one finger to sweep the bangs from my face. I’m fine already. Plus, he’s outnumbered by a billion to one, and I don’t want him getting shot.
Knox looks confused, flashing two fingers in a V for verification.
I hold up a finger again. “One,” I say out loud, quickly backtracking with, “minute. I just need one long minute with my, eh, fiancé,” I say helplessly.
Smoke nods. “Why don’t we leave the two lovebirds alone.” He kisses me on the cheek. “Good luck.”
They all depart, leaving Enzo and me alone. Enzo steps forward, a hand slipping into his pocket. I only half listen, keeping my eye glued to his pocket, waiting for a gun. My hand stays fisted, ready to flash two.
He clears his throat. “I was on the phone with our family jeweler when you barged in on me during our flight, all drunk and disorderly.”
Normally, I’m way too practical to be bucketed as the hopeless romantic type, but when he pulls out a velvet box and presents a ring, I gasp.
Did I say ring?
It’s more like a star, catching the light in the most mesmerizing ways. A single diamond is in the center, set in a vintage band surrounded by equally stunning stones.
Big? Absolutely. But with an old-world elegance and grace that makes it timelessly beautiful.
“It’s breathtaking,” I whisper, unable to tear my eyes away .
“It reminds me of you. Simple yet elegant. Dazzling even when you try to hide from the light.”
“Did you just call me simple?” I snark.
He slips it onto my finger—a perfect fit. “The original ring was my mother’s. I had the stones around it added for you,” he says softly, his voice taking on a rare, tender note. I’m left speechless, studying him. “Smoke’s bride had a family heirloom, so I knew he wouldn’t mind that this becomes yours.”
My heart stumbles in my chest, the weight of the ring so tangible and real. It’s insane, but I can’t deny the rush of emotions it stirs in me.
I glance up at Enzo, his eyes a deepening gold. So much so that I’m not sure if I should run or just linger in his darkness and lose myself completely.
For a split second, I see a different side of him. Maybe even a life with him. But then I remember who he is—a D’Angelo—and an unsettling feeling claws its way up from the pit of my gut.
I nibble my lower lip, uncertain. “Can I think about it?”
“No.”
I throw my hands up in the air. “For all I know, you’ve just taken out a hefty life insurance policy on me, and everyone knows it’s the overinsured who have the shortest life expectancies.” I bow up to him. “Just to be clear, I want to live.”
“It wasn’t a question, Kennedy. You will marry me.”
Suddenly, Knox’s words come crashing through my brain, flooding my thoughts and squeezing everything else out. Does this have anything to do with your father?
A tightness grips my chest, each breath a struggle. Do the D’Angelos know what happened to my father ?
With a deep breath, I step back. “I can’t.”
Enzo moves into my space, crowding me against the tree. His expression is dark, intense. He lifts my chin, forcing my eyes to meet his. “Unfortunately for you, Bella , you don’t have a choice.”