Chapter 30
Alina
When Piper and Raven return, I’ve already been to the adjoining bathroom and washed myself as well as re-tied the kimono and put on my wedding panties. Special ones that don’t create any visible line.
Now, the only evidence of how my husband-to-be got rid of my wedding jitters is in my flushed cheeks.
“Well,” Piper says, crossing her arms. “I see Rafe found a way to calm your nerves.”
Raven snorts, waddling over to me. “Your hair survived, thank goodness. I wasn’t looking forward to explaining to Matteo why I had to murder his cousin on his wedding day.”
Heat blooms in my cheeks, and I duck my head. “We just talked,” I lie, the words sounding unconvincing even to my own ears.
“Sure you did,” Raven says, patting my shoulder. “And I’m carrying puppies instead of babies.”
“Leave her alone, Lee,” Piper says, though her eyes dance with amusement. “We need to get moving.”
I touch the diamond choker around my neck, feeling its weight against my skin. My fingers drift down to my mother’s necklace nestled beneath it, the only piece of her I have left. Both pieces mark me as belonging to someone else—one from my past, one from my future.
After Raffaele’s visit, I feel a strange anticipation at the thought of what my—our—future will be like. He promised me I could return to the bakery in time and become a mom. But… when? How quickly will my new life truly begin?
After spending what feels like hours touching up my makeup, Piper moves to the garment bag hanging on the wardrobe door, unzipping it with reverent hands. The dress we found together slips free, ivory lace catching the light.
“Ready?” she asks, and I nod, unable to form words around the lump in my throat.
Although I’m no longer shy in front of them, I don’t love having to remove the kimono either. But after they saw my body when we went to find me a wedding dress, it’s nothing they haven’t seen before.
And since neither of them have said anything about my rolls, I don’t feel like crying as I stand on slightly wobbly legs and let the kimono fall to the floor.
As I lift my arms, Piper helps guide the dress over my head, careful not to disturb my hair. The fabric slides down my body, settling against my skin like a whisper.
Raven moves behind me, working the tiny row of buttons up my spine while Piper kneels to adjust the fall of the skirt. Their hands are gentle, practiced, moving with a synchronicity that speaks of their long friendship.
“There,” Raven announces, stepping back. “Turn around.”
I turn to face the full-length mirror, and my breath catches. The woman staring back at me is someone I barely recognize—someone beautiful, radiant, worthy.
The ivory lace hugs my curves, the deep V-neckline showing just enough cleavage to be alluring without crossing into inappropriate. The blush lining beneath the lace gives the dress a subtle warmth that complements my pale skin.
Long, sheer embroidered sleeves cover my arms, and the flowing A-line skirt moves like water when I shift my weight.
They spend an eternity fussing over my hair again, but the result is worth it. My red hair is styled in one of those styles that’s half up, half down, with delicate flowers woven through it.
“You look incredible,” Raven breathes, her eyes suspiciously bright.
I turn and twist in front of the mirror, checking every angle possible. While I’m busy doing that, Raven and Piper change quickly into matching gray satin dresses that complement their different body types perfectly.
Piper’s sleek and elegant, Raven glowing with her pregnancy. They both pull their hair into high ponytails, tied with matching gray bows.
Sitting back down, I wait for them while they do their own makeup and finish up. Even though I know they’re quick, it doesn’t feel like it. And judging by the light filtering through the window, it’s already late afternoon.
“You look amazing.” I beam when they’re back next to me.
“Why, thank you.” Raven grins as she twirls once, the satin catching the light. The high ponytail bounces with the movement, the gray ribbon tied around it perfectly matched to the fabric.
My throat tightens as I watch them in the mirror. These women, who were strangers not too long ago, are now fussing over me like we’ve been friends for years. How strange life is.
“Are you still nervous?” Piper asks, catching my eyes in the mirror.
“A little,” I reply truthfully. Even Raffaele’s magic touch can’t erase my nerves forever.
“It’s okay to be nervous,” Raven says, her hand finding mine, squeezing gently. “But for what it’s worth, he’s crazy about you.”
“He collected me,” I remind her, my voice barely above a whisper. “Because of a debt. And I’m marrying him to gain a semblance of freedom. It’s not love.” The last part is mostly meant as a reminder to myself. To my heart that beats harder whenever I think of Raffaele.
Piper kneels beside me, reaching for the hem of my dress. “You already know how our relationships started out,” she says gently. “How we started doesn’t define what we become.”
“What are we becoming?” I ask, genuine curiosity in my voice.
“I’ve already told you,” Raven grins, striking a pose. “We’re the RWA, Russo Women’s Auxiliary. The most dangerous group of women in Cleveland. Dun dun dunnnn.”
I can’t help the laugh that bubbles up. Releasing some of the tension coiled in my chest feels good.
“Now we need a toast,” Piper declares, retrieving a bottle of champagne and water that’s been chilling in an ice bucket. She pours three flutes, handing one to me and one filled with sparkling water to Raven. “To new beginnings,” she says, raising her glass.
“To family,” Raven adds, her free hand resting on her rounded belly.
I raise my own glass, the champagne catching the light. “To friendship,” I offer quietly. “Found in the strangest circumstances.”
We clink glasses, and I take a sip of the champagne, letting the bubbles dance on my tongue. The alcohol warms my blood, steadying my trembling hands, if only momentarily.
Raven sets down her glass and opens her arms. “Come here,” she says, and I step into her embrace, careful of her belly. She hugs me tight, her perfume—something floral and sweet—wrapping around me. “You’re going to be amazing,” she whispers in my ear.
When she releases me, Piper takes her place, her hug more reserved but no less sincere. “Welcome to the family,” she says, and though the words are simple, they hit me like a blow to the chest.
Family. A concept that’s been little more than pain and obligation for so long.
“One last touch,” Piper says, reaching for something on the vanity. She pulls out a delicate silver bracelet studded with tiny diamonds. “Something borrowed. It was my grandmother’s.”
My eyes sting as she fastens it around my wrist. “Thank you,” I whisper.
“And something blue,” Raven adds, producing a small blue garter. “Because traditions matter, even when you’re marrying into the mafia.”
“Raven,” Piper hisses, but there’s laughter in her voice.
“What? It’s not like she doesn’t know.” Raven helps me slip the garter up my leg, her movements efficient despite her rounded belly. “Besides, the blue matches your eyes.”
I smooth down my skirt again, the trembling in my hands more pronounced now. Soon, I’ll be Alina Brewer-Russo.
Not just collected, but claimed—permanently.
“Take it from someone who’s the black sheep in her own family, I know exactly how you feel,” Piper says, straightening the fall of my skirt. “But fuck them—”
“Don’t swear,” Raven hisses.
“Bite me, Lee. This is about Alina and not you,” Piper throws back, not losing her smile. “My point is that you’ll be fine. My uncle Teddy once gave me a great piece of advice that I’m going to pass on to you.”
“What is it?” I ask, almost afraid to hear the answer.
“He said I shouldn’t be killing myself trying to impress people who wouldn’t piss on me if I were on fire.” She scrunches up her nose. “Distasteful images aside, the point stands. And you should take the advice, Alina. Don’t care about anyone who doesn’t care about you. Life is too short.”
With those words, we all hug again, and then Raven and Piper walk out the door.
Taking a deep breath, I follow them. When we’re almost at the aisle, I hide in an alcove. From this vantage point, I can see the entire procession without being seen—a voyeur at my own wedding.
The organ music swells, and Piper steps onto the red carpet, back straight, chin high, moving with practiced elegance. Raven follows a moment later, one hand resting protectively on her rounded belly as she walks.
But my eyes aren’t on them for long. Beyond the women, standing tall and imposing at the altar, is Raffaele.
The cathedral seems too vast for our small gathering, with gothic arches soaring toward the heavens, stained glass casting colored light across the ancient stone floors.
The enormous space makes our intimate ceremony feel almost secretive, like we’re stealing this moment from the surrounding grandeur.
As Piper and Raven take their places to the left of the altar, I shift my attention to the men waiting on the right. Lorenzo stands closest to where Raffaele will be, his posture mirroring Piper’s refined confidence.
Beside him is Matteo, his single eye scanning the cathedral with the vigilance of a man who expects threats from the shadows. Remus completes the lineup; his stillness radiating authority even from this distance.
And then there’s Raffaele, standing before them all, hands clasped in front of him. He’s abandoned the casual clothes from earlier for a tailored black tux that emphasizes the breadth of his shoulders and the lean strength of his body.
A crisp white button-up shirt provides stark contrast to the black jacket. His tie is pale blue instead of the gray I’d picked out for him. His dark hair is styled back from his face, emphasizing the sharp angles of his jaw and cheekbones.