9. Chapter Nine
Chapter Nine
QUEENS MAKE ENTRANCES
Aaliyah
The Wedding of Antonio Rizzo and Aaliyah Solarin
“There’s still time.”
His deep voice reached my ears, immediately bringing a sense of calm over me. Abasi’s six-foot five lean body was propped just inside the door frame like he didn’t have a care in the world. Humor danced in his eyes as he watched me fidget with the jewelry Antonio Sr. had presented me as a wedding gift. According to him, it was a priceless family heirloom that once belonged to Constance I, who was married to Emperor Henry VI.
Abasi popped a mint into his mouth like this was the most normal conversation to have with a bride who was freaking out and questioning every decision she’d ever made that led to this moment.
He had ordered everyone out of the room so he could have a final talk with his daughter before he gave her away. My heart always warmed whenever he referred to me as his daughter although we weren’t related by blood.
Abasi never had children. He never talked about why because although he was a dangerous man, arguably the most dangerous man in the world, he would make an excellent father. I was proof of that.
I stood in the mirror, staring at his reflection as he looked back at me. I wasn’t scared to marry Tony. The responsibility of becoming a Donna in a world that rejected me because of who I was, was what scared me. I thought I was equipped to handle the persistent undermining of our power, but now I was not so sure.
“There’s still time for what?” I ran my hands down my stunning wedding gown and adjusted the diamond necklace on my neck.
The moment I laid eyes on this dress at a New York fashion show, I knew it was the one for my wedding. One reason was because it wasn’t the traditional white wedding dress, and I wasn’t the traditional bride. In other words, it was perfect for me. A Celeste Washington Original and part of her first wedding collection, the sleeveless, V-neck, champagne sequined maxi style dress, wasn’t what I envisioned myself walking down the aisle in when I imagined my wedding day. But it was absolutely perfect. Tony pulled some strings and Celeste personally came to tailor it to my figure.
I faced him and he smiled. “Time to leave before you say yes,” Abasi said.
“Why would you say that?” I huffed. “I love Tony. I want to be his wife.”
He sat in one of the elegant chairs of the room in the cathedral. We were hustled in here as soon as we arrived two hours ago to put final touches on our hair, makeup, and dresses.
“I believe you want to be his wife, but I can see the doubts in your eyes.”
“Abasi...”
He interrupted me by raising his hand. “If you are going to do this, Aaliyah, there will be no doubts in your mind when you say yes.”
“There are no doubts,” I said, lying.
“Do not lie to me,” Abasi said, pointing at me, not in anger, but disappointment.
Shame overwhelmed me. “I’m sorry.”
He let out a sigh. “Look, I know you better than you know yourself. I’ve raised you as my own, so I know when you doubt yourself. If you don’t want to do this, then don’t.” He shrugged like it wasn’t the biggest decision of my life not to marry the man I loved. “No one will fault you. It’s your decision.”
After a few moments of silence, I gathered the nerve to voice my feelings.
“What if I’m not ready for the responsibility that comes along with being his wife?”
A laugh escaped him. “You, Aaliyah Solarin have been raised for this responsibility. I’ve made sure you are prepared for this world. No one and I mean no one is more suited to stand beside a Don of the Mafia, especially Antonio Rizzo Jr. You are gentle as a woman should be, but you are also deadly. Many will underestimate you and the power you will wield. And that will be their mistake. Be who I’ve raised you to be. Be the queen that you are, by not just standing by your king’s side, but by ruling by his side.”
I took a deep breath and exhaled, letting his words sink in. “You’re right.”
He rose and wrapped his arms around me. “I’m always right. I don’t tell you often, but your parents would be so proud of you, Aaliyah. Just like I am.”
I tightened my embrace. “I love you.”
He gave me a gentle kiss on my head. “I love you too, daughter. Now let’s put Tony out of his misery. The wedding should have started twenty minutes ago.”
My eyes grew wider. “Oh my god!” I shouted my voice raising an octave. “I’m late for my damn wedding.”
Abasi let out a chuckle. “It is fine.” He winked as he escorted me out of the room. “Queens make entrances.”
***
Antonio
I twisted my hands, as I stood before the priest and a congregation of at least four hundred people waiting for Aaliyah to walk down the aisle. We’d been waiting for what felt like hours and sweat had started to bead on my brow.
I didn’t think she would leave me standing at the altar, but we’d been through a lot to get to this point in our relationship. From the chaos involving Marisol to the pressure from the Lombardo’s and my mother to marry Francesca instead. The bullshit was causing tension between me and her, but I refused to let it break us apart. She’d questioned many times if we should do this since the pressure from others wasn’t stopping. But that was what they wanted. They wanted us not to be together. But as I stood here waiting for her to walk down the aisle, I wondered if it all had become too much for her to deal with and they accomplished what they set out to do.
I glanced at my watch and then at Alessandro behind me. Since we’ve been standing up here, he had been keeping me from going to find her.
“She’ll come,” he whispered in my ear for at least the fourth time. His reassurance did little to suppress the dread building inside me.
Despite that, I still nodded and took a deep breath to calm myself down. Despite the whispers from the crowd, I centered my focus on my breathing to push away my anxiety. I knew in my heart she’d come despite what my brain was telling me. After a few more minutes, the back doors of the cathedral opened, and I let relief encompass me.
“I told you,” Alessandro whispered, and I couldn’t help the breath of relief I released.
As the bridesmaids proceeded down the flower-filled aisle, classical music played. The beautiful lanterns cast a gentle glow, illuminating the white aisle runner, and making the golden dust sprinkled on it shimmer like diamonds.
First, Dani, the sister of the former president of Demons United. Next was Chantal, my oldest sister, then Kira, Abasi’s niece. Throughout all the strife, the ups and downs these three women had become sisters to Aaliyah. They had become her family. And I was so happy she had friends to turn to because reaching this day hadn’t been easy for her. I knew they helped her see the big picture even when she couldn’t see it for herself.
As they took their place at the front of the cathedral, each one greeted me with a warm, small smile. As the bridal march began to play, the room fell silent in anticipation. The entire congregation rose, and my attention was immediately drawn to the back of the church, where Aaliyah stood with her arm linked with Abasi’s, a radiant smile on her face.
My breath escaped from my body in a rush. It was like I’d died and witnessed an angel floating towards me. She was beyond beautiful, turning every head in the room. Regardless, if the people in this room agreed or disagreed with this union, Aaliyah made a powerful entrance. She made a statement. Things were about to change in the famiglia . And she was the one who would do it.
With her head held high, she locked eyes with me until she reached the altar and stood by my side. Abasi kissed her cheek, then shook my hand before taking his seat in the front pew on the bride’s side.
Despite all of us wearing white tuxedos, his tuxedo with gold accents stood out from the rest of the crowd. Abasi loved to make an entrance, always commanding attention as he entered the room.
As Father Pietro began to speak, his voice faded into the background, and I couldn’t make out a single word. My body was on autopilot. As I gazed into her eyes, we repeated our vows to each other and said I do. Father Pietro pronounced us man and wife, and in that moment, the world felt perfect, as if nothing could disrupt our happiness.
As we walked down the aisle, the sound of applause and congratulations reverberated throughout the grand cathedral. The first time in a long time I had a positive outlook on life as head of the family. And I knew that was only possible because of the beautiful woman at my side.
As we stepped out of the cathedral, the sound of laughter filled the air as wedding guests tossed bird seed into the sky. However, in a matter of moments, our world shattered into chaos. The once lively atmosphere, filled with beautiful cheers and laughs, was suddenly shattered by the piercing screams and curses that filled the air, accompanied by the sound of multiple gunshots.
Without hesitation, I shielded Aaliyah with my body, waiting for the shots to stop. The guards, including Aaliyah’s and mine, along with the others protecting the wedding guests, swiftly retaliated by firing back at the suspected source of the shots.
“Aaliyah! Are you alright?” I asked with panic in my voice when the gunshots stopped.
“Yes, I’m fine,” she responded.
When I knew she was safe, a wave of relief washed over me. I rose off her and looked at the surrounding chaos. Blood, bullet casings, and pandemonium.
“Tony!” Alessandro shouted.
I found my brother kneeling, with Laney in his arms. “Help me!” Alessandro yelled. “She’s been shot.”
“Go!” Aaliyah shouted.
Torn between leaving her, I hesitated. What if they started shooting again? What if next time she’s hit?
“I’m fine, Tony.” Aaliyah pushed me towards him. “Go help your brother.”
I pecked her on the lips then rushed to Laney’s side, but it was already too late. The bullet hit her in the neck. She had died within minutes.
“Alessandro...”
When he looked at me tears filled his eyes. It had been years since I saw my little brother cry. The last time had been when he took his first life at fourteen and that same distraught look swirled in his eyes like he knew today everything in his life had changed.
“I’m sorry, bro.” I firmly grabbed his shoulder. “She’s gone.”
He shook his head in disbelief and squeezed her unmoving body harder. “No, no, no.”
His pristine white tuxedo was now marred with vibrant red stains. It was heartbreaking to watch a grown man cry over someone he loved. While I didn’t know the specifics surrounding their relationship, he wouldn’t waste tears on someone who meant absolutely nothing to him.
“Tony!” Aaliyah shouted.
I twisted my head towards the sound of her panicked voice. As I watched her kneel beside my father, a wave of shock coursed through my body. His white tuxedo was stained with blood, and his once vibrant olive complexion now appeared lifeless.
I scrambled to his side, my heart pounding in my chest. He was lying prone just inside the entrance of the church. “Papa,” I said, my words carrying a hint of urgency and concern.
He didn’t say anything. He didn’t move. The piercing wails of sirens blended with the anguished cries of despair. I gripped his lifeless hand, desperately hoping for any sign of a response, but there was none.
“Sir, I’m gonna need you to move.” I looked at the young man barely in his twenties as he sat a large duffle bag on the ground at his feet.
“Papa, stay with me.” I gripped his hand tighter, but there was still no response.
“Sir. You need you to move so I can do my job,” the man said with a little more urgency in his voice.
“Come on, my love,” Aaliyah said.
Aaliyah stood, her beautiful champagne colored dress ripped and stained with blood.
Anger surged through me. This was supposed to be a day of celebration not a day of mourning.
“I’m right here Papa,” I said moving out of the way.
I stayed with Aaliyah while the EMTs took care of my father. He looked like he was already dead because of his sickly complexion, but I saw the subtle rise and fall of his chest which gave me some hope he might survive this. He’d been shot before, but this was a kill shot. It was amazing he was still alive.
More medical professionals ascended the cathedral stairs, bringing a stretcher. They laid my father on it and descended the stairs, placing him in the back of the ambulance. After, I looked at the carnage surrounding us. Blood, bodies, and broken glass littered the steps. Despite Laney’s body being covered in a white sheet, Alessandro continued to hold her hand.
Chantal lowered herself beside him and whispered something in his ear. He lowered his head and shook it in disagreement. She said something else, and he took a deep breath then released it, and reluctantly let go of Laney’s hand before standing. She embraced him and I watched my grown ass brother sob into his big sister’s arms like he was a child.
“My mother?” I asked, never taking my eyes off my brother and sister.
“I don’t know, sweetheart.” Aaliyah tugged my arm. “Come on. We have to go to the hospital.”
We slowly descended the steps in a complete daze as I looked at the ambulance speed away with my father in the back clinging to life. The day I thought would be the happiest day of my life turned into a living nightmare. Nothing and I mean nothing would get in my way as soon as I found out who’d done this. The world had to burn for the wrongs done against me and my family today.
And I would gladly strike the motherfucking match.