Chapter 40 Finn
Finn
I knew the greenhouse would be the perfect place to have the wedding, but I didn't realize it would be this beautiful. Everything looks magical, especially now that the sun has left the sky.
The aisle is framed by a soft scattering of moss and tiny fairy lights woven discreetly into the ground, glowing like stars that fell to earth.
We're all at the reception, but I try to be alert.
Liam's words still ring through in my mind.
My eyes follow James' movement. He showed up earlier, and trust me, I wanted to make him pay for everything he did to me, but I didn't want to ruin this perfect moment.
I didn't want my anger or emotions to ruin Gianna's day. Although he apologized, I don't trust him. My eyes remain glued on him as he talks and interacts with other Irish members.
Gianna drops her hand to my lap, and I turn to her with a smile on my face.
"Are you okay, husband?" she says, emphasizing the word husband.
I chuckle, grabbing her hand on my thigh, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I am, wife," I say, and she smiles. "I'm just enjoying the view."
My eyes move to the crowd when someone whispers something in Gianna's ear about some arrangement.
Although there's tension in the air, everyone is dining, drinking, and having fun.
The waiters move like ghosts among them, holding silver trays with champagne and sparkling water, while security guards stand posted at every corner.
The soft clinking of glasses echoes through the greenhouse as guests raise their champagne in celebration.
A hush falls over the crowd as Connor Costello, one of the eldest members of the Irish, steps forward.
His silver hair catches the light hanging above the vines, and though his frame is small, his voice carries the weight of a thousand histories.
He raises his glass.
"I've lived long enough to know what war looks like," he begins. "And I've lived long enough to see the cost of it. The blood spilled, the grudges passed from father to son. Today... signifies something great. The coming together of two families. Two strong names joined by love."
The applause is slow at first, but then it swells, full of reverence and a touch of wonder. Someone from the Italians stands. I don't know who he is, but from the look of the people surrounding him, he seems pretty important. Gianna leans in. "That's Marcelo Rosso, he's a distant cousin."
I nod, my focus returning to Marcelo. He raises his glass.
"This union is more than symbolic. It is strategic.
The end of our long feud with the Irish.
It's a powerful move." He looks around the room, his eyes landing on Gianna.
"To love across a divide takes more courage than any battle I've ever seen.
May your love be the bridge between us, now and always. "
This time, the room erupts, clapping, cheers, and the sharp sound of glasses toasting from every corner of the greenhouse. The tension in the air seems to ease, and everyone goes back to eating and drinking.
My eyes drift across the room as the noise settles.
They land on Sofia first, seated near the front of the Italian side.
Dante is beside her, their chairs angled just slightly toward each other the way people do when closeness has become second nature.
He leans over to say something into her ear, and she tips her head back with a quiet laugh.
It suits her, that kind of ease. I'm glad she has it.
A few tables over, Elena is gesturing at something across the room with the enthusiasm of someone telling a story no one asked for but everyone will enjoy.
Marco watches her with the patience of a man who has long since learned to love the chaos.
He catches my eye and gives a single, composed nod. I return it.
The dance floor fills with a few people, and my eyes glance to Liam discussing with a few members of the Irish at a corner before settling on Rina. The woman Liam was once promised to, before everything fell apart. This must be an uncomfortable moment for them both.
The party continues. I let myself enjoy the moment and worry about problems later. This day belongs to Gianna and me. "You know, for a second there I thought you fell from the sky," I whisper into her ear, and she giggles, sending a small jab to my stomach.
She puts a slice of cake in her mouth, chewing slowly. "I didn't peg you as someone so romantic," she says, narrowing her gaze at me.
"What?" I say, a smirk dancing at the edge of my lips.
"Your vow. It was the most beautiful thing I've ever heard," she says, her eyes softening.
I cup her face with my hand, rubbing my thumb across her cheek. "I'm glad you think so. And I mean every single word I said."
She leans into my touch. "I know."
The click of glasses echoes through the greenhouse again, and I turn to see who is giving a speech. Vito stands slowly. He doesn't need to walk to the center. He simply looks around, his presence commanding silence.
"I've always believed in two things," he says. "Power... and love." The room quiets even further. "Power without love is destruction. Love without power is weakness. But when the two come together?" His eyes move between me and Gianna. "That's legacy."
He pauses.
"Today, I give my sister to a man who has earned her not just through bravery, but through sacrifice and unwavering commitment to protect what he values most." I blink, surprised by Vito's words.
I never thought in a million years he would think about me like this.
"And I give her willingly, not because I'm losing her, but because I'm gaining peace. "
He raises his glass. "To power, love, and gaining new families."
And just like that, the entire greenhouse lifts their glasses, Irish and Italians alike, as one.
I pour the glass of champagne down my throat, and Gianna whispers in my ear. "I'll be right back."
As she stands, I hold her wrist gently. "Don't leave the greenhouse without supervision," I say, and she nods.
I put a slice of cake in my mouth, watching as she moves to Rina and another lady I don't recognize. I sigh and take another sip of the champagne, my eyes searching for James in the crowd before landing on Liam.
He signals with his eyes that he needs to speak to me. I stand from where I sit, crossing the greenhouse, greeting familiar faces before reaching Liam's side. He hands me another glass of champagne from a waiter passing by. I take it from him, and we toast before we both take a sip from it.
"Beautiful wedding. Amazing speeches here and there," Liam says, holding his glass.
I smile. "Why didn't you give a speech?" I ask, taking another sip, my eyes remaining on Gianna as she talks. She laughs at something the women say, and I catch myself smiling.
"I don't think you want me to make a speech," he says.
"You know what, I think you're right," I say with a chuckle. We both fall into comfortable silence, watching the party go by. I try not to bring it up, but it's been eating at me since that day.
"I know you said you'll handle it. I just need to know the updates on things," I ask. Liam downs the remaining champagne in his glass before turning to meet my gaze.
"This is a lovely night, Finn. Enjoy it.
You've got peace, protect it. Because the next storm's already forming.
" From behind him, I see someone unfamiliar watching from the shadows.
He isn't Italian, that's for sure. Then, he's Irish.
I narrow my gaze at him, trying to work him out, but he keeps staring. It's odd.
"Do you know who that is?" I ask Liam, but when he turns to look at the person, he's gone.
"Who?" he asks, and I blink. Where did the person disappear to? He was just right there.
Liam taps my shoulder. "Enjoy your night, Finn. This place is crawling with security. Nothing is going to happen. I guarantee that."
I nod. I don't ask any more questions and decide to enjoy the night. Tomorrow can worry about itself.
I barely hear the music over Liam going on about security rotations. Something about two men posted near the greenhouse entrance and a possible reshuffle before the after-party. I nod, only half-listening, my eyes keep drifting across the room, looking for her.
"Look, I'm just saying," Liam continues, swirling the whiskey in his glass. "I didn't know Connor could give such an amazing speech. He's always so grumpy and angry."
Before I can respond, I feel a soft hand touch my arm.
I turn, and there she is. She's changed out of her wedding dress.
Her hair is loose now, her spaghetti strap, red dress, hugging her body perfectly.
When did she leave the greenhouse to change?
Her eyes sparkle with something mischievous, but warm.
Like I'm the only thing in this room worth looking at.
"Can I dance with my husband?" she asks, eyes flicking between me and Liam with a smile that manages to be both innocent and commanding. I don't think I can get used to her calling me husband. It's the best feeling ever. Liam chuckles, stepping back instantly with his hand raised in surrender.
"My bad. He's all yours."
Gianna takes my hand, lacing her fingers with mine, and gently pulls me away from the small cluster of men. The music shifts, a slow, soft melody washing through the air like a memory.
We step onto the dance floor. Her arms circle my neck, mine around her waist, and we move gently to the rhythm, rocking slowly, like the world has finally caught its breath just for us.
"I still can't believe it," I whisper, brushing my thumb across the back of her hand. "You're my wife."
She smiles up at me. "You say that like it's a dream."
"It is," I say quietly. "You are."
We move in silence for a moment, the warmth of her against me grounding me more than anything ever has. I can still feel the tension clinging to the back of my mind, but with her in my arms, it begins to loosen.
"Did you like the cake?" she asks out of nowhere, her voice light and casual.
"The cake?" I blink, looking down at her. "You're thinking about cake right now?"
She lifts her head with a playful shrug. "Yeah. It's a mixture of chocolate and vanilla."
I raise my brows. "Chocolate?"
She sighs dramatically. "Yeah. This is how I know something is bothering you," she says, her voice softens, and her eyes search mine.
We keep swaying, slow and easy, but I can feel her reading me.
I don't want to ruin today for her, not this moment, not after everything we've survived to get here.
So, I smile and run a gentle hand down her back. I can't make her worry.
"I'm fine, Gianna. It's just the excitement of today, and the taste wasn't actually so bad."
"About James," she says, searching my eyes with empathy. "I saw the two of you outside earlier. Are you okay?"
I nod, pulling my lips into a smile. "This isn't the type of conversation newlyweds should be having," I say with a smirk.
She sighs. "I know it must have been difficult seeing him again. If you don..." She starts, but I cut her off.
"Gianna, I promise you I'm fine. He apologized, and I don't want anything to ruin this day."
She narrows her gaze at me, not convinced with my words, but I try to divert the conversation. "I could hear your laughter across the room earlier. What were you discussing?"
Her expression lights up. "Oh," she says, glancing behind me. "Elena said something about Vito looking human as he made his speech."
I laugh. "I'm surprised he's capable of saying something nice."
She smiles and dips her head against my chest as the beat of the music changes. I turn her slowly, letting her spin before pulling her gently back to me, my hand returning to the curve of her waist like it belongs there.
"Rina and Elena wanted me to make an introduction earlier," she says, looking up at me with a hint of mischief in her eyes.
"Why didn't you introduce us?" I ask with a raised brow.
"You were with Liam," she says simply. "And it would be odd with Rina by my side."
I nod, understanding the unspoken undercurrent there.
"Besides," she continues, her smile growing more intimate. "I wasn't ready to share you with other members of my family."
A slow smirk tugs at my lips. "Oh really. I guess I must be so special to you, Mrs. Costello."
Her laugh is soft, but it blooms in my chest like firelight.
"Way too special, Mr. Costello," she teases back, before resting her head just beneath my chin.
We sway in silence, and for a while, it feels like time doesn't matter.
But eventually, the music softens. Conversation grows quieter.
Laughter becomes less frequent, more spaced apart.
People begin to slip out. The party starts to die down, but everything still remains beautiful, soft light glowing through glass walls, flower petals scattered across the floor.
Still, the most beautiful thing in this room, hell, on this earth, is Gianna.
She's still in my arms, her fingers lightly curled around my collar. "You look so hot in this dress," I whisper in her ear, letting my lips brush her skin enough to earn a reaction. She pulls back slowly, her eyes glinting with trouble. A dangerous smirk tugging at her lips.
"What is under the dress is hotter," she says, and I swear to God, Gianna just set a flame burning in me brighter.
"Oh now, I'm curious," I say, matching her energy, leaning in just a bit more.
"Do you want to get out of here?" she asks. I don't hesitate. I nod, already loving where this is headed.
She slips her hand into mine again, fingers lacing tight, and together we move and leave the greenhouse. But not before I grab two bottles of champagne.