9. Anna
Anna
Two days ago, I couldn’t have imagined being this happy.
My heart swells with so many emotions it’s hard to keep them under control.
His cousins close the distance, each giving me a warm hug as Vincenzo reluctantly relinquishes me for a moment.
“Vincenzo is so happy. You did this for him,” the redhead gushes.
Another of his cousins takes my arm. Now they’re all talkative and friendly.
“Come see the prosecco, wine, olive, fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil for the bruschetta.” One of the cousins dishes me up a small plate and hands it to me.
I take it trying to be polite, but I don’t really know any of the people at the wedding except for Nicolo and it’s not like I don’t know what he thinks of me.
I take a small bite of one of the olives and murmur my thanks. The women are looking at me expectant like I owe them something after they didn’t even have the decency to do anything except my hair, my nails, and makeup, keeping me on pins and needles the entire time.
Seriously. These women didn’t even introduce themselves to me the entire time they were fixing my hair and now they’re so happy for us.
“Thank you for all your help and for being here, but I don’t even know your names.
” The woman with long dark hair and a pretty yellow dress takes my hand.
“Forgive us. We didn’t know your intentions with our cousin.
Everything happened so fast. You know how it is in the families. ”
I certainly do, being bartered off to marriage for a merger only to learn my intended was a violent psychopath who wanted nothing more than my father’s empire, land, and an heir.
But Vincenzo rescued me from Barcelo when he left me for dead.
That was another lifetime ago and now I have to let it go.
“I’m Carmela, this is Rosaria, and Angela.
We don’t live too far away. Please accept our apologies for not introducing ourselves and for being so rude.
Your vows, I think they hit us all right here,” she says, gesturing to her heart.
“We are so happy for you and Vincenzo and wish you a true and long happiness.”
My heart fills with emotion, completely understanding now why they would be so willing to help but not emotionally invested at first. They love their cousin and didn’t know if I was in love with him or just marrying him for the many reasons that women marry men, especially bosses and underbosses.
“Thank you. I’m looking forward to getting to know everyone in the family. ”
Nicolo walks toward us with three men in suits as an employee walks toward us all with a tray of fluted glasses of champagne.
They each take one from the tray and Nicolo hands one to me.
He holds his up and everyone in the room goes silent.
“Many of us here never thought Vincenzo would find someone to love. I mean seriously who could love his bossy ass?”
His cousins laugh and lift glasses into the air as Vincenzo takes the ribbing with a smirk.
Nicolo glances between the two of us. “But Anna, she has captured my brother’s heart and after today, it’s evident to see that she feels the same.
” He raises his glass. “A toast to Vincenzo, boss of the DeLuca family and his new bride, and our newest family member, Anna Cassone DeLuca. May their love last forever and may they never know a day of discord in the future. Congratulations!”
Vincenzo’s arm wraps around my waist drawing me tighter toward him and he clears his throat before speaking to the small crowd.
“Thank you everyone. On behalf of us both, we appreciate you being here. While we wish everyone could have been here, we are thankful that my mother is recovering and will soon get to meet not only the woman who is responsible for saving her life but is also now her daughter-in-law. While we’re missing special family, brothers and sisters alike, we are blessed with those who were able to attend.
Now let’s enjoy the feast that’s been prepared by the cousins and Auntie Lottie. ”
Glasses raise in the air as Vincenzo guides me to the end of the large rectangular table where two seats have been placed. He pulls one of them out for me and adjusts the chair after I take a seat before he folds himself into the one next to me.
Others begin walking into the room, carrying domes of food, placing them in front of each of us before lifting the top from the dish of lasagna, a traditional first course, that makes my mouth water as I inhale the fresh aroma of all the herbs and cheeses.
I lean into Vincenzo. “This has been the most spectacular wedding I could have ever dreamed of. Is this what you were doing last night after you left my bed?” I whisper.
He grins, a finger pushing a tendril of hair from my up do out of my face. “I was dreaming of being back by your side ever since I left your bed.”
That devilish smirk makes me wet in a minute. I take a sip of the champagne. “I woke up and you were gone.”
“Ma is a romantic. She believes if a groom sees their bride on the day of their wedding before she walks toward him, they are cursed. I would have never lived it down.”
I snake a hand beneath his hairline, drawing him near. “I love that you love your mother so much, and that she has such an influence in your life, and that she is so special to you. I hope she likes me when I get to meet her.”
Vincenzo draws me near. “Princessa, she’s going to fucking love you. Now drink your champagne and eat. I’m eager to cut this cake and then get you away from the prying eyes of my family and all alone.”
By the final course I’m so full I can barely eat another bite but as is tradition, the cake must be cut, and the cousins are not letting us get away with slipping out without cutting and partaking of the three-tiered masterpiece.
Carmela, Rosaria, and Angela are bubbling as Ms. Lottie cuts pieces of the cake, and they pass them around the table.
Vincenzo may not want me to know but the absence of house employees does not go unnoticed.
Cousins and aunties of the boss are not generally serving the guests while sitting among them.
As hard as I try, it’s impossible not to worry about what’s happening outside the walls of this penthouse, outside the security of the penthouse, the DeLuca Casino and Resort, because as much as I loved that plane flying over, declaring us man and wife, I also know it was Vincenzo’s fuck you to the Gallinis.
That after that very big announcement in the sky not only are the Gallinis going to know that Vincenzo DeLuca has taken what they consider theirs, but that my brother-in-law, Massimo Roselli, will be alerted and as soon as he learns I’ve been with Vincenzo this entire time and married him all hell is going to break loose.
Vincenzo wraps his arm around me and leans down to whisper in my ear. “Have another glass of champagne. I need to make a call but then I’ll be right back.”