Chapter 5 #2
“Welcome, friends and family, to the wedding of Xavier James Maricuso and Victoria Annabella Russo. We are gathered together to witness their commitment to each other in marriage, a union of love, trust, and mutual support.”
I start to roll my eyes at the bogus words, but Xavier gives my hands a squeeze, and I stop myself. I don’t think the officiant will stop this even if I protested, but there is no need for me to make his job harder.
“Do you, Xavier, take Victoria to be your lawfully wedded spouse, to have and to hold, for better or worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and health, to love and cherish, from this day forward?”
Xavier stares at me, and I see his eyes soften as a small smile lifts one corner of his lush mouth. “I do.”
My heart starts to race, and although I present an outward sense of calm, internally, my body is a fucking mess.
This is it. I’m actually getting married to the man I’ve been slowly falling for who betrayed me so heinously.
My father would roll over in his grave if he actually had one.
Or would he? From what I understand, I was always meant to marry Xavier.
Gio all but confirmed it. How could my father betray me like this?
It’s something I will get the answer to eventually…
I hope. Damn it, I should have negotiated a visitation once I went through with the wedding.
Why didn’t I do that? I know I was in shock, but I didn’t even argue once I saw the video.
I caved like a sandcastle being washed away by the high tide and agreed to marry Xavier without another thought.
I should probably examine that a little closer, but I also push that into the tiny box for later as the officiant continues, turning to me and asking the same question.
“And do you, Victoria, take Xavier to be your lawfully wedded spouse, to have and to hold, for better or worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and health, to love and cherish, from this day forward?”
I don’t even hesitate before I reply. “I do.”
Xavier’s smile kicks up even more, even though my face shows no emotion.
“Excellent.” The officiant heaves out what could only be a sigh of relief. “Please exchange rings as a symbol of your promise.”
A frown creases my brow, and I look at the officiant, slightly confused. Rings? I don’t have a ring to give him. Nobody told me I would need one. Shit.
Xavier releases my hands and turns to Colton, who hands him a box.
He opens it and pulls out two rings before handing the box back to Colton.
He takes my hand, which I just left hanging in the air in my shock, then slides them onto my left ring finger.
I stare down at them in surprise as he starts to speak.
“I give you this ring as a token of my love, and I promise that I will stand behind you every step of the way in this marriage. I will be your weapon to use or the arms to seek comfort in. I promise to support, cherish, honor, and be faithful to our family, whatever that may look like. With this ring, I thee wed.”
I gape with shock and awe at the black ring that has a huge, blood-red gem in it with two black skulls on either side, both with red gems where the eyes should be.
The matching band is also the same black metal with a blood-red, drop-shaped gem in the middle of it.
These aren’t off the rack rings, these required forethought and planning.
My heart starts to race as the officiant splutters at Xavier’s nontraditional words, but otherwise, he stays quiet.
“Victoria, it’s your turn,” he tells me, and before I can explain that I don’t have a ring, Vienna taps my shoulder. When I turn to look at her, she slips a box into my hand.
Blinking with surprise, I open it and find a matching masculine band to the one he gave me.
I pull out the band and pass her the box before facing Xavier again.
My mind is a mess, and my heart is practically trying to crawl out of my throat at this point.
What do I say? I’m so fucking confused. Everything I thought I knew was wrong.
I’m still furious that none of them thought to warn me, but if the house, their vehicles, and their phones are bugged, not to mention their daughter’s well-being is at stake, then can I really hold everything that has happened against them?
Hell, I just killed two of my family members to get out of this mess.
Are their sins any worse? I glance from my own rings to the one I need to slip onto Xavier’s finger, his words repeating in my head.
The officiant clears his throat awkwardly, and I take a big breath and look into Xavier’s eyes.
I see a myriad of emotions there—guilt, worry, but most of all, hope.
“I give you this ring as a symbol and a promise that I will—” I pause and turn to look at the men who are carefully observing our union.
I can’t let on that I might be softening toward him and the others.
They need to believe that I am still furious so they can’t tattle to Mario.
I don’t want him to think that we may be plotting against him.
I can’t risk that he will use Addi against them either.
“Honor, cherish, and support you through everything, that I will be faithful to our family and protect it in whatever way it needs to be. With this ring, I thee wed.” I slide it onto his ring finger, hoping he can read between the lines, but it’s vague enough so when they report back to Mario, everything will sound like I’m being cooperative.
The officiant heaves out a sigh of relief, but I’m mesmerized by Xavier’s eyes. They brighten and become heated as a small smile kicks up one corner of his lips, and he gives me a small nod of recognition.
“By the power vested in me, and by your clear declaration of intent and commitment, I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may kiss the bride.”
“Gladly,” Xavier rumbles and snags me by the waist and drags me toward him.
My hands come up to his chest on reflex.
“Hello, wife,” he drawls, his eyes smoldering with lust as he dips me back and presses his mouth to mine in a quick, scorching kiss that has goosebumps breaking out all over my body.
I moan softly as his tongue flicks across mine, my hands clenching his lapels to keep myself from running them all over him.
As swiftly as it starts, it stops, and he stands me upright. The room falls into an awkward silence. There’s no cheering or celebration, just stunned silence.
“Ah, yes, well, congratulations! We will now proceed to sign the marriage certificate to formalize this union.” The officiant gestures to a small table to the side where some paperwork sits.
Xavier puts his hand on my back and escorts me over to it.
The officiant says something, but the words seem fuzzy, and I go into automatic mode, signing my name where he tells me to.
“Congratulations, Mrs. Maricuso,” the officiant says, holding out his hand to shake, but as I reach for his hand, Xavier says something that has me freezing.
“Actually, I will be taking her last name. You should be congratulating Mr. and Mrs. Russo.”