2. Celso
CHAPTER TWO
Celso
T he wedding is delayed. They’re running behind schedule, but it’s not a surprise. The groom hasn’t shown up.
Which is also no surprise.
I smirk as we settle into the wooden seats lined up in a massive semi-circle around the altar. The altar where Damion Levine is supposed to be waiting for his bride.
Masaccio elbows me and throws me an angry glare. “Stop smiling. It looks fucked up.”
“Oh please, look around you. Tons of people are smiling.” I huff .
Masaccio stares at me, his eyes piercing into mine. “Just say it, Celso - did you do something?” he demands, a harsh whisper.
I chuckle. “You’re so quick to accuse me, Mas. Why in the world would I want to mess up Neve’s wedding. She’s our sister’s best friend.”
Mas growls angrily. “We both know why.”
I turn my face forward, away from him and his foul mood.
I’m in a great mood today. It’s a gorgeous day for a wedding to fall apart. Especially when it’s a wedding that should never have taken place to begin with. I told Neve she belonged to me. I’ve told her more than once. She brushes it off and plays me down - but it’s time she realized how serious I am about this.
In fact, that she even thought she had a right to marry someone else - it infuriates me. It causes anger to bubble and spit inside me.
I clench my jaw, not wanting to get worked up. Things are fine. I made sure they were fine.
There will be no wedding .
The pre-ceremony party was fun, though. I enjoyed the whiskey and the rather exquisite food selection. Tasters. Carried around by arrogant servers in black and white penguin suites.
This is all a waste of time, but I have to go with the flow until they figure out the groom really isn’t coming.
I fold my arms across my chest and sigh quietly, turning my wrist towards my face so I can see the time.
Dalila leans over the chair in front of us. “Guys, he’s still not here yet. Neve is going crazy. I’m really worried, but I’m trying to keep her calm.”
“Where is she?” I ask, wanting to see her.
“She’s waiting outside the church, but seriously, I don’t know what to do?—”
Masaccio stands up. He glances backwards down the rows and rows of guests, all starting to grow impatient. “Shit. There are so many people here.” He sighs.
“I want to go look in his hotel room, but can one of you stand with Neve?” Dalila asks tightly .
“I’ll stay with her. Mas, go with Dalila.” I suggest.
Mas glares at me with his jaw clenched, but doesn’t say anything suggestive of my involvement. He wouldn’t want to upset our little sister.
“Fine. Let’s go.” He mutters under his breath.
We make our way out of our seats and into the aisle, walking quickly out of the church.
Neve is standing in the little foyer area, near a stained glass window that looks out into the garden behind the giant hotel. She looks like an angel with the colorful light of the window splashing over her. It’s me she should be marrying. Not some random asshole who doesn’t deserve her. She’s mine. She’s been mine since the second I set my eyes on her.
Mas and Dalila hurry away to search Damion’s hotel room.
I wander slowly over to Neve, my eyes tracing over her gorgeous body, the tight fit of her wedding dress sculpting perfectly over her small waist and wide hips.
“You are beautiful enough to break a hundred hearts tonight.” I say, and she spins around in fright, her eyes wide when they meet mine.
Fuck.
She is exquisite.
I shove my hands into my pockets and smile at her with my head tilted to the side. “Exquisite.” I say, winking at her.
She glares up at me, a foot shorter than me, but looking fierce enough to take me down. Not that she could. But I’d love for her to try. I chuckle to myself.
“ What is so funny?” She snaps.
“Nothing.” I shrug. “I heard you needed a groom? I’d love to take over from the idiot who stood you up.” I take a step closer to her and she stiffens.
I can smell her perfume. Delicate, a hint of lemon. It’s fresh and enticing.
“He didn’t stand me up. He would never do that.” She mutters, quiet and tense, with my eyes locked onto her like a wolf hunting a tiny little rabbit .
She shudders as though something has run up her spine.
She closes her eyes and shakes her head, clearing her mind, shifting her thoughts.
“What’s the time?” She demands. Her voice changed, no longer a meek whisper.
“Almost a quarter to five.”
I watch her swallow hard and the glittering shadow of tears that spring to her eyes.
“Five?” she mumbles. “The wedding was supposed to start at three thirty.”
She looks around as though she’s trying to find an escape and I step closer and reach out my hand, running it down her back, my fingers tracing over her body. She’s frozen, so I reach up and brush one of her tears away with the pad of my thumb.
“He’ll be here.” I reassure her, knowing I’m lying to her. I dip my thumb into my mouth and taste her tears.
Salty, sweet tears from the woman who belongs to me .
She steps back, away from me, throwing me a foul glare. “Don’t touch me, Celso.” She sounds more flustered than offended. Her breath hitched slightly.
Mm.
I’d love to know what else she tastes like.
“He’s not there.” Dalila’s voice comes from behind me, and Neve’s face tightens.
“What is going on?” She whispers. “All those people in there—” She glances towards the church doors and clenches her fist around the flowers she’s holding in one hand, slung low against her side as though they are nothing but a burden at this point.
“Isn’t there anything we can do?” Neve asks Mas.
“I can’t trace his number with his phone being off.” He shrugs.
It wouldn’t help. I smile inwardly.
“Is there some way we can?—”
“Where the fucking hell is he?” Franco Greco’s voice is a booming annoyance in my ears. An arrogant man who looks down on my family, although we are the only reason he can afford to run his political campaigns. He views himself as high society and us as mafia scum - a necessary evil in his plans for ultimate power.
“No one knows, daddy. Please keep your voice down.” Neve moans.
“I will kill this boy. How dare he embarrass us like this.” Greco snarls, his fists clenched and his jaw muscles feathering as he chews away at his own teeth in agitation.
“Embarrassing?” Neve spits. “You’re embarrassed ? That’s all ? Nothing about how your daughter feels on her wedding day - nothing about me - no care in the entire world?” She’s furious and taking it all out on her father.
“Neve, be quiet. We don’t want the reporters hearing.” Greco warns her.
“Oh, the tragedy , if a report hears that I’m upset about the fact that my fiancé has not shown up to marry me while I stand here in this straight jacket of a dress, hardly able to breathe.” She shouts.
Her father grabs her arm and drags her further away from the church doors, towards the steps, and out into a small indoor garden area.
We follow, all of us, Dalila looking panicked and wanting to help her friend. Mas looking like he might be ready to break up a fight - and me - well, I want to know what’s going to happen next.
But if Greco doesn’t take his hands off Neve soon - he will be answering to me.
Father and daughter continue to argue under whispered harsh breath. Neve’s cheeks are growing redder by the second, and her eyes are flooding with tears. She throws her hands in the air in exasperation and glares at her father with pure horror.
“You want me to do what?” She asks in disbelief.
“I want you to go into the church and address the guests. Tell them you are grateful they came out here, and they can please still enjoy the reception food and drink, otherwise it will go to waste.”
“Dad, I can’t.” She stammers. “I can’t do that.” Tears are streaking down her cheeks.
“I’ll do it.” Dalila steps forward. “As the maid of honor, it makes sense for me to do it?—”
She looks hopefully at Greco, who sneers and drags his eyes up and down over her in disapproval. This man better watch himself. He is grating up my last nerve.
Mas sighs, running his hand through his hair. “I’ll stand with you.” He says to Dalila.
“Fine.” Greco snaps and storms off without another word.
Dalila gently touches Neve’s arm. “I’m so sorry.” She whispers.
Neve shakes her head, unable to speak. Her throat closed around her tears. Tears wasted on another man. A man she should never have been involved with.
I hate to see her broken like this. But I warned her.
“It’s ok.” she finally mutters and Dalila smiles tightly before glancing at Mas. My brother and sister leave the garden. And now I am alone with Neve again.
She doesn’t seem to notice that I’m here .
I take my time watching her in her assumed privacy. She is crying a little more freely now, but trying to get it under control.
Wiping her fingers underneath her eyes to stop the makeup from running, she takes a deep breath and holds it in. Counting.
…three…four….. five. She lets it out.
Fuck. She is beautiful.
Literally the most gorgeous woman on the planet.
“Neve.” I say gently, and she spins around with her eyes wide and horrified.
“I thought you left.” She snaps, quickly brushing her hand across her face and pushing her shoulders back.
“You’re allowed to show emotion. You are human.” I say, walking around her, admiring every inch of her.
She scrunches her nose and turns her head to follow me with her eyes.
“I need to be alone, Celso.” She sighs. “Can’t you respect that, please. ”
I sneer. When will she understand she belongs to me?
“Fine. But when you are ready - I will be waiting for you.”
“Waiting for what?” She sighs, annoyed. I pause behind her, and step closer so that our bodies are touching.
“You know exactly what, Neve.” I say darkly, my voice low, my mouth pressed against her ear as I stand with my chest up against her back.
For a second she leans into me, her breath catches in her throat and her lips part. The sight of her minute submission sends wild currents of electricity rushing through me.
As quickly as she gave in, she regains herself and steps forward.
She won’t look at me. But I saw what I needed to see.
“See you soon, Neve.” I whisper and walk out of the garden to leave her grieving over her spoiled wedding day.