62. Wynter
Wynter
B as really thought of everything.
From the massage, bath with scented oils, facial, manicure, and pedicure, as well as makeup and hair team. The only thing I didn’t have was my friends. He didn’t trust them nor me.
Dante picked both Emory and myself up from the penthouse and drove with me to the Cathedral in the back of a luxury Rolls Royce.
They were my security, or more accurately my guards.
Bas didn’t trust anyone but his family. Once we pulled up to the front of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, a swarm of men wearing black suits filled the entrance.
I spotted Davina, Juliette, and Ivy and my hand gripped the handle. “Stop here,” I told the driver. “They made it.”
Davina assured me nothing would stop them from coming, but I still worried. After all, she just had a baby.
Dante shook his head. “We’ll pull up at the side and you can wait inside until the ceremony starts.”
I flashed an annoyed glance his way. He resembled Bas a lot, with his dark hair and dark eyes. He was built similar to Bas, but there was something different about Dante. While Bas and Priest had something unhinged and crazy about them, I couldn’t quite get a read on Dante.
My eyes shifted to Emory. She looked pretty in a soft pink dress. She was to be my bridesmaid along with Ivy, Juliette, and Davina. Honestly, the whole thing felt like a circus. A fancy circus.
Once the car came to a stop, Dante and Emory helped me out.
The train on my dress was too fucking long and Emory quickly picked it up so it wouldn’t drag on the ground. Such a tentative criminal, I thought to myself and a hysterical laugh bubbled up my throat, but I quickly swallowed it down.
Dante eyed the surroundings, his hand under his jacket on the gun, ready to shoot anyone who dared approach us.
Like I said, a fucking circus.
“This is bullshit,” I murmured, as several paparazzi spotted us and rushed our way, already snapping pictures. “It’s too long to walk in with these heels.”
Dante chuckled, offering me his arm to help me walk in my high heels. Put me on ice and I’d stay steady. Put me in heels, and I was bound to fall.
Once inside, my heels clacked against the marble floor. Once we took a few turns, Dante stopped and opened the door to the rectory for me. The faint organ sounds played in the distance and Dante extended his hand, telling me to step inside.
My gaze flicked to Emory, then to Dante.
Emory shot me a comforting smile. “It will be over soon,” she murmured.
“Can’t wait,” I grumbled as I walked in, then realized I was being kind of bitchy towards her. “Umm, thanks for-” My words failed me. She helped Bas kidnap me, but she also went out of her way to make me comfortable. “I guess for everything,” I muttered.
“No problem,” she replied, smiling widely. “I know you and Bas will be happy together.” A heartbeat of silence. “He’s tough on the outside, but he’s a big softy on the inside.”
A soft inhale of air. I would have described him exactly the same before the incident with his father.
When I remained silent, she continued, “For as long as I remember, he has been protecting me from our father at his own expense. It’s about time he found his happiness. Even if he stole it.”
Every cell in my body filled with hope. That dangerous hope that could lift you high.
“Thanks, Emory.”
She tilted her head, then shut the door. I almost expected to hear the click of the lock but there was nothing.
I was left in an unlocked room. Maybe it was a test? I stood in the middle of the room, unsure what to do until the ceremony started. It was then that I caught the reflection of myself in the mirror.
My blonde curls were pinned up in a bun with pearls weaved through it.
The dress was stunning. The pearls and the silver embroidered in the dress shimmered, catching light each time I moved.
It hugged my body and came down the long train.
It made me feel like a princess and I had nobody to share it with.
I had no idea who would be part of this wedding since I had no part in planning it. Truthfully, I had no idea who did, and with such a short period for preparation, I expected it to be a small affair.
I heard a soft sound and turned my head in its direction. The wall rug that hung over the east wall shifted and out of it came Juliette and Ivy.
“Jules!” I gasped, scrambling to my feet. “Ivy! What are you doing here?” And then I threw myself into their arms, wrinkling up their beautiful pink bridesmaid dresses. “I am so glad to see you,” I squealed, blinking my eyes hard and scared I’d ruin my makeup.
“Duh, isn’t it obvious?” Juliette retorted. “Saving you.”
I glanced around after she uttered those words, almost expecting someone to barge into the room and for hell to break loose.
“No saving me,” I whispered. Somehow I wasn’t surprised Juliette would come up with a plan to save me. “I don’t want you in trouble.”
If Bas found them here or overheard Juliette’s words, I feared what he’d do. The man I was marrying today was a different man than the one I walked away from. Besides, I promised him I’d stay.
“The DiLustros are nuts,” Juliette announced. “You can’t marry that looney bin that kidnapped you, no matter what Dad says.”
“And what did Uncle say?” I asked, unsure what to do with the two of them.
Ivy waved her hand. “That you have to pay the debt for the four of us stealing that armored truck.”
Well, that kind of summed it up. But it was a lot more than that.
“Wyn, you cannot do this,” Juliette hissed. “I won’t let you sacrifice yourself.”
“It’s not-” She didn’t let me finish.
“And do you know what Dante DiLustro did?” she continued, her voice high-pitched. “He asked Dad for my hand.”
“For your hand?” I asked, confused.
“He asked Dad to fucking marry me,” she spat out. “I should have cut off his balls rather than kicked him in them.”
I blinked, watching her cheeks flush. My cousin never blushed. Fucking ever. But something about Dante DiLustro got Juliette riled up. Every time.
“What did Uncle tell him?” I asked curiously.
“Fuck no,” she said. “That’s what. Thank fuck. Otherwise, I’d use today to kill him rather than saving your ass. Now let’s go before that freak DiLustro shows up. We have only minutes to clear out of this block.”
The door was wrenched open with a loud thud against the wall, the wood frame rattling. Basilio stood there, his expression dark and stormy.
“You’re going nowhere,” Bas growled. “And you’re certainly not taking my bride. Get out!”
All three of us shrank back at his murderous expression.
He knew that Juliette was all talk. Right?
“Bas, they’re my bridesmaids and best friends,” I choked out, flicking a glance at my friends.
Juliette got herself together, masking her initial reaction, and glared at him. Her hands came to her hips and she took a step, like she’d come at him.
“Listen, DiLustro,” she spat out. “It’s fucking wrong to kidnap people.
And now dragging her down the aisle. Have you no shame?
” Then she snickered as if she remembered something.
“Oh, that’s right. None of you DiLustros have any shame.
Like your fucking cousin. Bunch of Italians.
” Her eyes came to me, satisfied she gave Bas her piece of mind.
Ivy’s eyes darted between all of us, wide with a flicker of uncertainty.
Bas took a step towards Juliette and towered over her, though he didn’t touch her.
“And you, Juliette, do you have no shame?” he deadpanned, narrowing his eyes on her. “After all, it is you that started this shit when you set that house on fire.”
Juliette flinched and for a moment, I thought she’d start crying.
“Stop it, Bas,” I croaked, not wanting to see my cousin cry.
“Your cousin has to learn there are consequences to all actions,” he gritted out. “And she practically pushed you into my arms when she went nuts. So maybe she should look in the mirror if she wants to blame someone.”
Oh, fuck. Why did he have to be so brutally honest?
I tugged on his sleeve and begged him. “Bas, that’s not fair.”
Bas stilled. “Get lost. Both of you,” he growled at her and Ivy.
“Go,” I mouthed.
Ivy took Juliette’s hand and pulled her along, scurrying out the door, instead of the secret passage. The wedding hadn’t even started and it was already turning into a catastrophe.
Alone with Bas, his coal black gaze narrowed on me. It was only now I noticed his fitted black tuxedo. It made him look darker and ominous, but also so damn handsome.
I held his gaze, drowning in his dark possessiveness that sent shivers over my body. His chest heaved up and down as a silence full of tension swirled through the air.
“You were going to run, principessa,” he said softly, his gaze darkened. I shook my head, but before I could say anything, he continued, “Don’t lie to me. I heard her plan to clear the block. You didn’t disagree.”
Anger slowly rose within me. “It’s because you barged in like some devil ready to kill,” I snapped back.
“You tell that witch of a cousin to mind her own business and leave the two of us to ours.”
“Why don’t you just start pounding your chest and roar ‘ mine ’?” I hissed, annoyed. “Jules just wants to protect me. All she knows is that you kidnapped me, so what in the hell did you expect from her?”
He took a step, bringing us chest-to-chest. “Tell her if she ever dares to suggest a stupid fucking idea that will put you in danger again, I’ll make her regret ever speaking to you.”
A tremor ran through me at his words. I must have lost my mind because his darkness tugged at something deep inside me.
He leaned forward until his forehead rested against mine.
“Today, you’re mine. My wife. Nothing and nobody will keep me from you,” he whispered thickly.
My insides caught on fire as I held his gaze.
“This is all wrong,” I said, thick emotions squeezing my throat and making it hard to breathe. “It shouldn’t be like this.”
Basilio grabbed my wrist in an iron grip and pulled me towards the door. My eyes snapped to him, alarmed.
“What are you doing?” I hissed in a small voice. I tried to pull my wrist out of his grip. Unsuccessfully.
He held on tight as if he worried I’d escape. Didn’t he believe my promise?
“I’ll never hurt you,” he hissed, dragging me down a long hallway.
I scoffed at that declaration. What did he think he was doing now?
“But I won’t tolerate your refusal. You’re mine and the sooner you realize that, the better.
You run; I’ll follow. You touch another man; I’ll kill him.
Remember that for the rest of our days.”
My step faltered and my eyes widened. Where was the man I fell in love with? The warm brown eyes were replaced with a dark, cold gaze that could freeze this earth, never mind my heart.
I shook my head, whether it was at my thoughts or his actions, I wasn’t sure.
“We’re getting married,” he growled, then tugged me forward.
“B-but we can’t walk down the aisle together,” I protested weakly. Bas had lost his goddamn mind.
Pulling me along, we reached an arched doorway. The entrance to the main chapel. Jesus Christ! He was serious. He’d drag me all the way down to the altar where the priest waited because he didn’t trust me to walk down it alone. In front of all our guests.
“Bas, please be reasonable,” I pleaded. He ignored me, continuing to pull me forward.
My throat was tight, my heart thundered, stealing my breath away.
His father had done this to him. His mother had done this to him when she left him as a boy. I left him. And now that he found me, he believed I’d leave him again.
The moment the guests saw us, a soft murmur spread through the church. There were no sounds of awes and soft gasps. Instead, I was met with shocked gazes and loud murmurs.
The walk down the aisle of the massive church was over too quick. The music played announcing my walk. The white and red rose petals covered my path and I found it ironic that it matched our story. Blood and innocence. Except there were no innocents here.
Unconcerned with anyone else, Bas’ steps were rushed, and he didn’t stop until we stood in front of the altar, a shocked priest staring at us. So did a hundred or so guests. I recognized some; others I didn’t.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Uncle Liam and Killian step forward, furious looks on their faces. My eyes sought out my mother, but she just sat there with a slightly empty look on her face.
Basilio’s groomsmen, dressed in vests and dark dress pants, wore no jackets but holsters were clearly visible. Three groomsmen. Dante DiLustro, Priest, and Killian.
Three bridesmaids. Juliette, Ivy, and Bas’ sister, Emory. My eyes flicked back to Mom, wondering if she saw Priest?
It would seem Killian and Emory were thrown to the wolves, to stand on the wrong side of the fighting ring.
My eyes connected with my best friends’ gazes. Comfort. Support. Love. And of course, their shock.
“What the fuck are you doing, DiLustro?” Uncle snapped angrily. “Get your hands off of her. We agreed on marriage, not to you abusing my niece.”
Bas’ grip on my hand tightened and a small whimper escaped me.
“Get your hands off her, DiLustro,” Sasha warned, showing up out of nowhere and gun already pointed at Bas. “Or I’ll kill you. Right now!”
Sasha’s brothers came to stand behind him, Quinn stood right behind Uncle and Killian, while Dante and Priest came behind Bas. The only ones that seemed unconcerned with this volcano about to erupt were the Ashford brothers. Though they did come to stand behind Bas.
“You go too far, DiLustro,” Sasha growled, his eyes furious on Bas. “For this, you’ll die.”
Oh my God!
There’d be bloodshed in the church. On my wedding day. In front of all the guests. The Ashfords. Nikolaevs. The Morrellis. The fucking world.
I shook my head, unable to utter a single word.
“Try to take her away from me and I’ll kill you,” Bas roared as he shuffled me to his left and pulled out a gun from under his tuxedo. His eyes narrowed on Uncle and Sasha. “You and your entire fucking family.”
The buzzing in my ears drowned out the guests’ murmurs. Blood rushed through my veins.
“He doesn’t mean it,” I breathed, shaking my head. I shoved at Bas and came to stand in the middle. “It was just a misunderstanding,” I told them all, my eyes darting around. “It’s all good. Please for fuck’s sake, put your guns away.”
Whoever planned this wedding should be fired!