Chapter 40
Chapter
Forty
Isabella
M y things from Mia’s house were now in our bedroom. My new home was filled with more people than I could imagine. The capo, Catalina, Ariadna Gia, Dante, and Camila arrived late last night, all of them staying here. If I had known that Dario was down the hall, I would have been a lot more self-conscious about the sounds that came from my lips during the night.
It wasn’t my fault.
According to Em, I was a good girl, and good girls get to come.
I did, over and over.
It’s strange how I’d been trying to prove to everyone that I was an adult and the words good girl from my husband caused my insides to twist and my nipples to bead. Em stayed true to his word; everything was oral. I told him I wanted to try part two again after our ceremony.
He proclaimed he was going to exhaust me with orgasms so I would tell him about the wedding dress we bought. He did his part, but I stayed strong. Well, strong until I passed out in his protective arms. When I woke this morning, I found a note telling me that we were to not see one another until the ceremony. He told me that he was going over to el Patr?n’s until closer to the event.
Imagine my surprise when I entered the kitchen in the morning and was met by none other than my cousin, the capo.
I continued my boundary pushing and walked up to him and his cup of coffee. “Thank you, Dario, for approving our wedding.”
He nodded in the way that said, yes, I am God of all those around me.
I turned to walk away when he spoke. “Isabella, I didn’t send you out here to fail.”
I spun toward him. “Did Mia tell you…?”
“She did. I never thought you would fail. Mia needed help. I was recently reminded that no matter how much we want to clip children’s wings, they deserve to fly.”
“Thank you. My parents?” I asked.
“Emiliano asked me not to influence their decision.”
Nodding, I pressed my lips together. “Seems like everyone is talking to you about me.”
He showed me a rare smile. “It’s all been good. You’re making the famiglia proud.”
I could be upset that Em shared what I’d told him about the capo not forcing my parents, but I wasn’t. If they attended, I’d know it was of their own volition. By eleven thirty, I was in my new bedroom with a hairstylist and makeup artist. Liliana, Mia, Catalina, Camila, and Valentina were all present to help me dress. The hairstylist pulled my hair up on the sides with diamond hair combs that belonged to Em’s grandmother on his father’s side.
While everyone went on and on about the dress, my hair, and my makeup, there was a void that ached in my chest. Looking at my hands, I saw the wedding ring from last night. I handed it to Valentina.
“You decided you don’t want it?”
“No.” I opened my eyes wide. “I want you to give it to Em so he can place it on my finger again today.”
She smiled and took the ring. “I’ll give it to him.”
“Is he here?”
“ Sí .” Her smile grew. “Everyone is here. Father Gallo, Josefina—Jano’s mother—the harpist…It will be beautiful.”
No mention of my family.
“I thought el Patr?n said no band.”
“He did.” She grinned. “There’s no mariachi band. Only a harpist.” She winked. “You’ll learn to see the loopholes.”
I reached for her hand. “Thank you for being so nice to me.”
Valentina kissed my cheek. “Thank you for making my son happy.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“I know you will.” She looked around. “Is there anything you need?”
I shook my head.
Valentina cupped my cheek. “I see sadness.” She shook her head. “Tell it to go away. Today is too special for sadness.”
I nodded.
Liliana came up behind me. “You’re beautiful. I’m so happy for you.”
I met her gaze. “It’s kind of last minute, but I was hoping my sister…” I exhaled and forced a smile. “Would you stand up with me?”
She looked down at her sundress. “I-I.”
“You’re beautiful, Liliana. And you helped to open my eyes. I’d be honored if you would be my matron of honor.”
“Sure. I’d love to. But if your sister makes it, the job is hers.”
I looked at the clock. The ceremony was set to begin in half an hour. “Yeah, I don’t think she will, but that’s all right. I have people here who love me.”
Liliana hugged me. “You do.” She winked. “Sofia and I made up last night.”
“That’s great.”
“She also helped me sneak a few people in under the radar.”
“Who?” I asked.
“Celeste and Reina.”
My eyes opened wide. “Oh my God. What if Nicolas recognizes them?”
“He won’t. I hardly recognize them. They won’t stay past the ceremony, but they wanted to see you and Em wed.”
I nibbled my lip. “Maybe it’s better my family isn’t here.”
“You won’t even spot them in the crowd. I just wanted you to know.”
“I’m glad you got them in.”
Everyone else had cleared out of the room, claiming it was time to be seated. Liliana squeezed my hand. “Do you want me to stay up here with you?”
As I debated, the bedroom door opened. I saw Horace open the door a millisecond before Mom, Noemi, Aunt Giulia, Marisa, Aria, and Cenzi came rushing in.
My mother cried, lifting her hands to her face. “You’re so beautiful, Izzy.”
I tried to blink away the tears as my sister and cousins attacked me with hugs. I held tight to Noemi and whispered, “Is Papà here?”
She nodded. “He wants to walk you down the aisle.”
My gaze went to my mother’s. “Tell him yes. I want him to walk me.”
Mom nodded and hurried from the room.
Liliana waved.
“Wait,” I called to her. “Everyone, this is my best friend out here. This is Liliana.”
Noemi, Marisa, Aria, and Vincenza all said, “Hi.”
One by one, I introduced each family member to Liliana.
“I’ve missed you,” Noemi said. “And now you’re not coming home.”
“I’ll come home if Papà and Mom will welcome Em.”
“We will.”
We all turned to the deep voice.
“Girls, let me talk to Isabella.”
I smiled as Horace peeked in. “I’m good.”
He nodded.
Once we were alone, Papà came toward me. “You’re beautiful, Isabella. I’m sorry.” He shook his head. “For what I said.” His nostrils flared. “For so many things. The capo told me years ago that I was wrong about them.”
“The cartel?”
“Yes. Dante told me. I didn’t believe them.” He cupped my cheek. “I believe you. I can’t promise miracles, but I’ll try. You and whomever you love are welcome in our home.”
“You’re making me cry,” I said as we hugged.
He framed my cheeks and rubbed his thumb under my eyes. “No more crying. After the ceremony, I hope Emiliano and I can try again.”
“You can, Papà. Emiliano is a good man.”
I scanned the room as we arrived at the beginning of the aisle in Valentina’s large living room. The right side was filled with the tables I’d seen earlier. The left side was filled with chairs—chairs filled with people. Everyone stood as the harpist played the wedding march.
My gaze immediately went to Em. In a custom suit that tapered from his wide shoulders to his slim torso, he was the personification of everything I knew about him—a murderer, a criminal, a gentleman, a man capable of extremes, and the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. I didn’t have to imagine what was under that suit. I knew. And there wasn’t one inch of him I didn’t love.
With his clenched jaw and dark eyes, I saw an inferno, one about to burn out of control. He was looking at my father. My smile grew, catching his attention and dousing his fury. As we got closer to the altar, I mouthed ‘faith.’
Em smiled, his eyes showing a different kind of fire, the one of desire.
To my surprise, Noemi and Liliana were both standing on the right side of Father Gallo. Nick and Rei were beside Emiliano. Three of the top men in the Roríguez cartel. Three men who should intimidate me. Two men I now considered friends and the other, my husband.
Father Gallo spoke, but my mind was consumed with the tall dark-haired man staring at me, the most handsome of the lineup, the man who was already my husband.
“Who gives this woman to be wed?”
The room took a collective breath as Papà reached for my hand and passed it on to Emiliano. “With pride, her mother and I.”