Chapter 38
Wedding Bells
Rico
The day is finally here. Oni will be my wife in less than an hour. We made it.
“Are you ready?” Mario asks at my side.
“Yeah, bro. I don’t deserve her, but she’s willing to marry me after all the shit I’ve brought into her life.”
“You two were made for each other. I don’t think she would have it any other way.”
“Yeah, I hear you.”
I swallow hard. What if she does think about it all and changes her mind? Suddenly, standing here at the altar, our lives play in my head.
When I found my truck missing. The footage we pulled of her taking that truck. Me becoming obsessed with watching that video over and over.
The moment I caught her trying to take the Lambo. Pushing back her hoodie and seeing her face for the first time. When I looked into her eyes, I felt connected to her right then and there.
That night at the club when she pulled a gun to protect me. The day she took her first life. Waking up in the hospital, then being told she was gone.
The night she walked back into my life. Slipping that ring on her finger. All the shit we’ve been through and done together in the last two years.
Those are all reasons why she can and should turn and walk away from me. My heart races as I don’t know if she’s thinking the same things. She could be bolting right now.
Then the music cues. I stand unseeing until Oni and my father appear. My breath whooshes from my lips.
She looks gorgeous. Her dress is classic but elegant in a modern Oni way. All the sheer lace and intricate details make her look like a living doll.
My throat gets tight. I didn’t know I would feel like this. My heart swells, knowing she did choose me.
When Pop hands her off to me, I feel like a kid on Christmas. She stands before me, looking up at me through her veil. With shaking hands, I lift the veil.
It’s like I’m sucker punched. The wind is knocked out of me. It takes everything in me to keep standing.
That smile is like life to me. I brush the back of my fingers against my cheek. As her big brown eyes search my face, I swallow hard as it’s all I can do to keep the tears from falling.
“You look … I can’t find the right words. I love you so much,” I say as I cup the side of her face.
“You look amazing. I love you too.”
I press my forehead to hers. “Are you ready?”
“Yes, I’m ready.”
“You sure? There’s no turning back after this.”
“I have nowhere else I want to be. I’m ready, Mr. Gallo. Let’s do this and get you the world.”
I grin and nod. “Let’s go, baby.”
Everything moves in a blur as we make our way through the ceremony. I half hear everything as I get lost in Oni’s eyes. When I’m told I can kiss the bride, I capture her lips and nearly eat her face.
“Hello, Mrs. Gallo,” I croon as I rub my nose against the tip of hers.
“Hello, my husband.”
“Say it again.”
“My husband.”
“Fuck, I must be crazy. I married a car thief,” I tease.
“I married the future don. So who’s really crazy here?”
I growl and take her lips. “It’s too late to change your mind now.”
“Who said anything about changing my mind? You’re stuck with me.”
“Wouldn’t want it any other way.” I nip at her lips.
“Okay, youse two. We have a reception to get to,” my father croons.
Oni and I laugh and turn to face the crowd. I glance around at all the people here for us. It’s insane how much support we’re being shown.
They have all accepted Oni into our world. Nothing can ruin this day for me. Nothing.
Oni
I stand at the top of the church stairs with my mom. My face hurts from smiling so much. Today has been perfect.
I’m finally married to Rico. Someone needs to pinch me because I still can’t believe it. I look down the stairs to where the guys dragged Rico for pictures. He looks as happy as I feel.
“My baby is married. Look at you. You’re so beautiful,” Mom chokes out as she squeezes my shoulders.
She kisses my cheek and continues. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a prettier bride. You’re glowing. Are you happy, baby?”
“Yes, Mom. I am. This is where I belong.”
“I just want to make sure,” my mother says as she tears up.
I glance to my left and the sun bounces off something that’s pushed out of the window of a passing car, grabbing my attention. Everything begins to move in slow motion.
My mouth falls open as I realize what I’m looking at. I shove my mother out of the way without thinking. My heart is racing as I realize I’m in my wedding gown. I don’t have any guns on me.
“Oni, get down,” Fredo calls out.
I look toward where Rico is standing. I can’t make it to him. Before I can decide my next move, gunfire explodes around us. Fredo makes it up the stairs and wraps around me.
“Oni,” Rico bellows.
He has pulled his guns and is starting to fire back, as he tries to move up the stairs toward me instead of taking cover. Suddenly, Fredo’s back bucks and he falls into me.
My mother reaches for me, pulling me toward her. Emilio comes out of nowhere and covers the three of us as Fredo bleeds out all over me. I scream as Emilio’s body begins to jerk as he’s hit while covering my mother and me.
“No,” I roar.
I pull Fredo’s gun and begin to fire. I hit one of the guys in the second car and blow the back window out of the other. The three cars speed off. The last one swerving as if the driver in it was hit as well.
“Oni, baby. Are you okay?” Rico says as he races to me.
“Yes, this isn’t my blood. I’m fine.”
“We need an ambulance. Someone help me,” my mother screams. She’s trying to help Emilio while looking frantically at Fredo, who’s face down, bleeding out.
“No, no, no,” I say as I rush to turn Fredo on his back.
“Come on, buddy. You’re not going to do this to me,” Rico says as he moves to sit and place Fredo’s head in his lap.
“Oni is safe. That’s all that matters,” Fredo strains to say.
“Emilio, you stay with me, you hear me. Don’t you leave me,” my mother sobs.
“Fuck,” Rico roars.