Chapter 24 #2
“Nope! Let’s get me married,” I whisper back. One step in front of the other, I walk the rest of the way down the aisle with confidence in each step because I’m walking to where my future is standing.
When we get to the front, just before the altar, I see there are four chairs. Bruno is in one, and I’m assuming the empty one next to him is for Giana. On the other side, I see Aldo in one of the chairs.
I only know who the man is because Enzo introduced him to me as his head of security. The other man next to Aldo is older, maybe in his sixties or so, but I have no idea who he is.
There’s a huge smile on my face as Enzo walks over to take me from Giana. She lets go of my arm as Enzo cups my jaw with one of his hands and pulls me in for a kiss.
“I don’t think we’re at this part yet,” I whisper when he pulls away, looking down at me with desire in his eyes, while I hear everyone around us chuckling.
“Don’t care. I needed to taste those lips.” He winks before walking us back to the altar to stand in front of the priest.
A second later, we turn to face each other, holding hands as the priest begins the ceremony, his voice calm and practiced as he guides us through the readings and blessings.
I try to listen, I really do, but my eyes keep drifting to my soon-to-be husband’s face. He’s so fucking handsome. I still can’t believe I’ll get to call him mine for the rest of our lives.
I feel his thumbs brushing lightly against my knuckles in a calming gesture. Even though I’m so happy right now, I’m still nervous, butterflies flying in my stomach because I have no idea what tomorrow holds.
I know my father will most likely do something crazy when he finds out I’m here with Enzo and that I married him, one of his rivals.
Enzo’s touch grounds me. Even though he’s my father’s rival, he’s never mistreated me a single day, and I’m so thankful for that. I know other men who would have used me in some kind of war game just to send my father a message.
“It’s time for your vows,” the priest says. “Enzo, repeat after me.”
“We wrote our own,” Enzo says, voice full of confidence.
“Go ahead,” the priest responds.
Enzo takes a breath before starting. “Aria… I had a whole speech planned, but now that I’m standing in front of you, your beauty has made me speechless and forgetful. I can’t remember a thing I was supposed to say,” he says, and everyone, myself included, laughs.
“Such a charmer.” I giggle.
“What we share has been forbidden from the start because your father declared us as rivals, but that didn’t stop us one bit.
We were never supposed to fall in love,” he says, and I gasp at his use of the L-word.
I mean, I hoped, but I wasn’t sure if he’d ever say the words.
“But when I found you sneaking around our property at that party, I had every intention of killing the intruder, but when I got rid of the disguise and saw you standing there in front of me, you instantly took my breath away. It was only supposed to be one night, but I couldn’t not see you again since I became instantly obsessed with you.
There I was, the man who never wanted to get married or thought about love, thinking of you in my every waking moment.
You were like a drug, an addiction I couldn’t get rid of.
Those few months without you were hell, and it made me realize that you were it for me, that there was no way you were ever going to marry anyone else besides me,” he says, and I let out a chuckle.
I feel my chest tighten, eyes stinging with the tears that want to fall at his words.
“I promise to stand beside you every day of our lives. Even when life gets difficult, from here on out, it will always be us against the world. Ti amo, mia regina.”
The tears I try to keep at bay are streaming down my face by the time he’s done saying his vows.
“Your turn,” he whispers, using both hands to brush away my tears with his thumbs.
I let out a shaky exhale while grabbing his hands again. “I just knew you were going to make me cry today,” I admonish, before a watery smile crosses my face.
“Who knew sneaking into a party with the intention of losing my virginity would end up with me finding the love of my life, which I never expected at all,” I joke, and hear more chuckles around us. Well, except for the priest.
“I was scared when you discovered it was me. I thought you were going to kill me. But just like you, my breath was stolen when I laid eyes on you. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about the baby sooner.
You’ll never know how much I regret it. I’ve been through hell and back, but it was all worth it if, at the end, I get to stand right here in front of you and marry you.
I’d face it all a thousand times. I don’t know what our future holds, but I know with you by my side, it’ll be worthwhile,” I say, getting choked up again.
“The easiest thing I’ve ever done is love you.
Before you, the only person who has ever shown me love was my brother, but he’s gone.
Now that I have you, it doesn’t feel lonely or hopeless anymore.
I promise to stand beside you every single day of our lives.
I promise to choose you. Even when life gets difficult, from here on out, it will always be us against the world, our children before everyone else.
Ti amo, mio re,” I finish, taking in a deep breath.
I didn’t think our vows would be so emotional. Even Enzo thought so, as a few tears rolled down his cheeks.
For a moment, no words are spoken as we just stare into each other’s eyes. The weight of the promises just made, between us. To what I hope will turn into a solid foundation for our future.
“Che le fedi vi benedicano entrambi,” the priest says as we exchange the rings. May the faiths bless you both.
“With this ring, I take you as my wife,” he says, voice filled with possession.
“With this ring, I take you as my husband,” I murmur, mine sounding about the same.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife,” the priest says. The words echo in the space between us. There is no turning back. We’re now tied to each other for the rest of our lives. “You may kiss the bride.”
Enzo doesn’t hesitate. He pulls me in and gives me a deep and sensual kiss. It’s an I love you, you’re mine, I’m never letting you go kind of kiss. “Hello, wife.”
“Hello, husband. We’re married!” I squeal when he finally pulls away.
“Finally!” he growls. “Finally, my wife and all fucking mine.”
Gosh, the way he says my wife and mine with so much heat and possession, it’s a goddamn turn on. I’m about to say let’s just head upstairs but just then I feel rice being thrown on us. I let out a laugh when I see Giana rolling her eyes at us while throwing more with Bruno in on it.
“How does it feel being married, Mrs. Andretti?” she asks when she walks over to us.
“Amazing!” I squeal.
“Congratulations. I’m so fucking happy for you!” she tells me, hugging me and then Enzo.
Just then, the man I don’t know walks over to us. “Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Andretti,” he says to both of us.
“Thank you,” I tell the man.
“Thanks, Judge. I’m so glad you could make it,” Enzo tells him before turning to me. “This is Judge Roberts. He brought our marriage certificate over.”
“Thank you for coming,” I say to Judge Roberts.
“I’m sorry I have to leave so quickly, but the ceremony was beautiful,” Judge Roberts says a moment later.
“No worries, Judge. I trust that no one else will have access to this information,” Enzo says casually, though there’s a hint of something in his voice, a threat maybe?
“Of course. I’ll keep it under wraps,” the judge says, as Enzo nods to Bruno to show the man out, who pretty much hightails it out of the apartment while the priest also leaves with him.
“Congratulations,” Aldo, followed by Bruno when he comes back, says to us.
Giana puts on the music, and we dance a couple of songs before everyone grabs some food to eat, which I’m glad for because I’m starving.
“Alright, guys, I’m taking my wife up to bed. Stay, eat, drink, and dance for as long as you want,” Enzo says after we’re done eating and have relaxed for a while. He grabs my hand, and we walk away to the sound of cheers and whistles behind us.