Chapter Two #3
I watched and evaluated everyone in the room during the fitting.
I had expected they’d dress me like a meringue but instead, I was fitted into an Alessandra Rinaudo chic nostalgia lace gown with a plunging V down to my sternum.
It was gorgeous and very similar to what I would have chosen for myself, had anyone bothered to ask me.
After the fitting, I was scrubbed, waxed and washed.
Then more tea before hair and make-up. Of course, my contraband was discovered in the pocket of my pants, but no one seemed upset or surprised.
My father would have thrown a fit had he been the one to find it.
Instead, these people smiled knowingly, like my attempts at escape were cute.
Ugh! I may have met my match with the Vitale family.
I was still looking for an escape route when the first strings of the wedding march began. Crap! Now what? Nothing I could do but step through the opening and walk. I threw on my haughty face, the one sure to let him know I was not happy, nor would I be willing, and certainly not obedient.
In my peripheral vision, I noted the room and the gorgeous floral arrangements, but my eyes flew to the raised platform at the front of the stage, moving along the line of very handsome men until they landed on my groom.
No! It couldn’t be! Standing with a smirk on his handsome features was Mikey, no longer laid-back and non-threatening, but the Don of the infamous band of brothers.
He radiated power and quiet authority that was almost a pulsing energy.
The man held a glint of mischievousness and challenge in the depths of his eyes that burned me to my very core.
But I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing me flinch.
Instead, I lifted my chin, narrowing my eyes in challenge.
I saw one of the groomsmen speak and the eyes of my soon to be husband turned almost black.
Even from this distance, I could feel his control reaching out and squeezing the nape of my neck.
My knees knocked together and an unfamiliar feeling zipped to my core.
Oh, I was in serious trouble with this guy and for an entirely unexpected reason: I knew that if I stayed, there was a strong possibility I’d fall for him.
No. This princess would not become a cliche. She’d escape her new ivory tower and be free. I straightened my spine and kept walking.
When I reached his side, he took my hand and gripped it tightly. Succumbing to his show of power, I finally let out a mumbling, “Too tight,” wishing I could rub the spot I knew would bruise.
Smirking, he lessened the pressure. “Just a promise of things to come, my tesoro.”
“I’ll never be your treasure,” I spat defiantly.
“Oh sweetheart, you keep telling yourself that.”
The priest began his litany, words that tumbled in and out of my hearing without making any lasting impression until I heard, “—to witness the union of Romeo Vitale and Vittoria Calogerà.”
“Romeo,” I whispered mockingly out of the side of my mouth. “Mikey suits you better.”
“A good all-American name for an all-American man?” he murmured back at me, his lips scarcely moving.
“The name of a common gutter thug,” I shot back.
He chuckled, infuriatingly. “I’ll remember that.”
The priest droned on. Then came the vows.
I responded when prompted, my mind and heart racing with each vow, like a firefly tapping frantically against the sides of a jar.
Okay, so maybe I’d be married for a little bit, but then I would find a way to escape and get a divorce.
In the meantime, sampling the goods wouldn’t be so bad.
He was gorgeous and just looking at the slight tick in his jaw told me he was as impatient for this to end as I was.
Who knew, maybe once he got to know me, he would discover a shred of sympathy somewhere in his Devil’s heart and let me go. A girl could dream.
But when the ceremony ended, instead of turning toward the well-wishers, he dragged me out a door behind the platform.
Servants scattered to get out of the way as he strode through the halls, dragging me with him, and at first, I was too shocked to resist. I’d never been manhandled by anyone and especially not one as gorgeous as my new husband.
New husband. The priest’s words echoed in my mind: ‘What God has put together, no man can pull asunder. I now pronounce you husband and wife.’
Fear skated down my spine in anticipation of what was to come and what this meant for me, and my self-control broke.
I struggled as best I could, slapping and grabbing at doorways, but to no avail.
His step never slowed until he brought us into a room, not releasing his steely grip on me until he’d closed and locked the door behind us.
“We have something to settle before we greet our guests.” Romeo removed his jacket and placed it over a nearby chair.
I had to bite back a moan when he rolled his sleeves and his forearms came into view.
They were sexy, well-muscled and covered in ink.
He curled his finger, bidding me to him and I did what any good, obedient bride would.
I grabbed the nearest heavy object at hand and hurled it at him.