Chapter 13 #2
These women are so fucking powerful.
“You can call on us for anything,” Samantha says.
“That’s right,” Sierra adds.
“We’re a family.” Sierra gives a warm smile.
I’d been on my own for so long I don’t know how to accept true sisterhood. I’d always ran in a small circle outside of the mafia. I was fortunate to meet Baylor. She was my only mafia friend until now.
“It’s mimosa time,” Ryah yells as Esmerelda walks in with water and tea.
I ask Esmerelda to bring two bottles of champagne and champagne flutes.
Ten minutes later, we’re standing in a circle holding our glasses filled with bubbly high. Baylor and Kinsley hold flutes filled with orange juice in the air.
“To Serenity on her big day. Next week she will become a Donna for the Pitucco family. She and Kinsley will tell the made men wives where they can stick it,” Emoni offers.
Laughter bubbles from each woman in the room. I grip my stomach, laughing. I remember my mother having to listen to the wives. At the end of every meeting, she walked out of the room, rolling her eyes. She hadn’t done her Donna duties in years. Specifically after losing my baby sister.
“To Donna duties,” I yell.
My eyes roam over each mafia wife’s dress. They’re dressed to the nines. Each woman wearing a stunning summer dress perfect for my wedding.
Nadine approaches. “We’ll let you get ready to walk down the aisle. See you at the reception.”
“I’m ready to party.” Claire throws her fist in the air, shaking her ass while gripping the champagne flute tightly.
I laugh again. The ladies are hilarious. I love them already.
“Be sure to join us on our next Zoom call,” Samantha yells out.
Carmen holds the phone up.
I stare into Samantha’s brown eyes. “I’ll be there.”
“Hello ladies!”
We turn to the voice.
“Kennedy,” Ryah hollers, running over to her. She wraps her in a warm hug.
“It’s so good to see you,” Kennedy says.
They break apart and walk toward me.
“Kennedy, this is Serenity Cichello. She’s marrying Nico,” Sierra says.
Every time someone mentions I’m marrying him, my stomach plummets. I still can’t believe he kept his word about us being together in misery.
“Nice to meet you, Kennedy.” I grin.
“Kennedy is married to Franco DeLuca. They live in Portland, Oregon,” Ryah adds.
My eyes move over her mahogany face. She’s gorgeous. I can see past the polite smile. She’s ruthless when it comes to mafia business.
“This day is bittersweet,” I announce. “Nico and I have been through our fair share of ups and downs. Our marriage might not be based on love, but we will honor our vows to each other. I just had to put a bitch in her place yesterday. She told me to my face she’d be Nico’s goomah.”
Gasps fell from their mouths.
“She’s still alive?” Nadine asks.
I flash a wicked smirk. “For now. I had my hit woman make attempts on her life several times over the years. I know she’ll fuck up again. And when she does, I’ll put her down once and for all.”
Clapping erupts around the bridal suite.
The ladies leave, and another visitor steps inside. My heart lurches in my chest.
Shit, is she here to tell me that I’m a horrible person?
“Serenity, it’s so good to see you.” She pulls me into her arms. “It’s been too long.”
“Good to see you too, Azzura.”
She takes a step back and smiles. “I hope you understand now; you are the only woman for my son.”
“He plans to make me pay until the day I die,” I huff.
A knowing smirk plays on her lips. What’s that for?
“But my father gets his territory back.”
I slide my hand over my hair and down the rest of the contents in my champagne flute.
“And you get?” She asks.
“What I didn’t want. Kids. Before I walked away from Nico, I told him I didn’t want children, but he drags me into this marriage and demands I get pregnant within the year. He knows my trauma. Why would he do that?”
“That’s easy, sweetheart. He’s obsessed with you. Deep down, I believe you love him.”
“Yes, of course I do. I just wish we weren’t in the mafia.”
I squeeze my eyes shut briefly. “I’m back for revenge, and I plan to take it. Your son could be a widower soon.”
Her brows raise. “He’ll do anything to protect you. After the wedding, you two need to talk.”
I sigh. “Yes, we do.”
She reaches into her tiny purse and retrieves a teal box.
“This is something borrowed for you to wear on your big day.”
My eyes widen at the stunning diamond bracelet.
“Azzura, it’s gorgeous.”
She grins as she clamps it around my wrist. “You’re beautiful. One day soon you and my son will work things out.”
Mom steps into the room. The glam squad is on her heels.
“Good morning, Mom.” I hug her tightly.
“My sugar plum, I’m so happy you’re marrying Nico.”
“You sound like your friend here,” I gesture to Azzura.
“We know our children,” Mom says.
Azzura nods.
Mom approaches the closet and fastens a heart-shaped blue pin within the neckline of my wedding gown.
“Time to get all dolled up, I tell Tora.” I smile.
She claps her hands. “Let’s do it.”
I can’t stop my heart from thudding my ears and my heart’s pounding in my chest.
Dad approaches as I step in front of the balcony doors.
“Are you ready?” He asks, holding his arm out.
“No, I’m scared,” I say as I loop my arm through his.
“Don’t be. Nico loves you.”
“Why does everyone keep saying that? He used to love me,” I mutter.
“Let’s get this show on the road,” he adds.
A guard stands on either side of the door and pulls it open; the music starts, and the guests rise.
I stare at the altar. Baylor stands on the left. Nick and Cairo stand behind Nico.
Nico is dressed in a cream tuxedo. A black bowtie makes it pop.
His hair is perfectly moussed. His curls are extra defined. Makes me want to run my fingers through his hair.
Dad and I halt at the stairs.
Nico steps in front of us.
“Nico, I’m giving you my daughter. Don’t let me down.”
“I won’t Tizáno.” He shakes his hand as he pulls him into a hug.
Dad kisses my cheek, then places my hand in Nico’s.
A zing of electricity zaps through my body.
“You look fucking breathtaking,” Nico whispers.
“Thank you.”
He guides me onto the altar.
Standing across from him, I take in the handsome man. Just when I think Nico can’t outdo himself.
His eyes sparkle under the sunny sky.
Nico’s beard is neatly trimmed. I want to caress his face for the rest of the day.
The ceremony gets underway. I’m present, but at the same time, I’m not. I’m marrying Nico Pitucco. The man I fell in love with when I was a teenager. The same man who broke my heart. My fingers curl around the bouquet over and over again. I peer around the lush yard like there’s somewhere I can go.
“Nicola Giovanni Pitucco, do you take Serenity Francessca Cichello to be your lawfully wedded wife?”
My eyes squeeze shut. His boot slams into my mother’s stomach again and again. My psyche is breaking at the wrong time.
Nico squeezes my hands. “Serenity, open your eyes. Look at me.”
“I can’t,” I mutter.
In this moment, it feels like it’s just me and Nico. His hands grip my face through the veil. “Look at me, baby.”
My heart leaps in my chest and slowly my eyes open.
“I’ve got you, Princess.”
I feel tears ready to break free. “Nico.”
“This is our day.”
“Nico, we don’t have to do this.”
“I do take Serenity Francessca Cichello to be my lawfully wedded wife. The only woman I’ve ever loved.”
The tears break free. “You love me?”
“Fuck yeah,” he growls. Nico takes his handkerchief and reaches under the veil and dabs my cheeks dry.
“Continue,” he orders the officiant.
“Do you, Serenity Francessca Cichello, take Nicola Giovanni Pitucco to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
My lower lip quivers. “I do take Nicola Giovanni Pitucco to be my lawfully wedded husband.”
The smile that lifts Nico’s cheeks is one I hadn’t seen since our time in New York.
“Oh, how cute are they,” someone says.
I peek to my right. My black American Bulldog Bruella and a white American Bulldog walk down the aisle with little pillows strapped to their backs.
Nico steps down and retrieves the rings from the dogs. He gives them a quick pat and send them on their way. The guests go wild.
How did he know where my dog was? When did he get my dog?
“Bruno loves Bruetta,” Nico says as he steps in front of me.
“That was adorable.” I smile.
“The lovely couple will exchange vows,” the officiant says.
My heart races. Shoot, I didn’t prepare vows.
“I promise to love and support you. I will always protect Serenity for eternity,” Nico promises.
Goosebumps raise on my arms. After all, I put this man through, he still loves me.
“I give you this ring as a symbol of my love.” Nico slides the wedding band onto my left ring finger.
I take the wedding band from his hand. “I promise to open my heart to you. Love on you like you deserve to be loved. I’ll be your rock, Nico.” I sniffle.
Gripping his hand, I state, “I give you this ring as a symbol of my love.” I push the wedding band onto his ring finger.
“By the power vested in me in the state of Delaware, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
Nico and I grin at each other.
The officiant says, “You may now kiss the bride.”
Nico lifts the veil. His brows lift as he marvels at my face. “You are absolutely breathtaking.”
“Thank you. You are still the most handsome man I’ve ever met.”
Nico blushes. The man actually blushed.
He curls an arm around my waist and cups my face with one hand. My hands press against his muscled chest as I hold his cognac gaze.
“You’re finally all mine,” he growls before crushing my lips. His tongue slips into my mouth, devouring mine.
I moan into our kiss as clapping erupts around us. I quickly remember we’re in front of an audience.
Nico reluctantly ends our kiss. His hand locks on mine, and he turns us to the crowd.
“Mr. And Mrs. Nico Pitucco,” the officiant yells.
I hold up my bouquet, smiling from ear to ear. My childhood sweetheart turned enemy is now my husband. Nico Pitucco never gave up on me.
“Mr. And Mrs. Pitucco,” guests shout as we stroll down the aisle.
I wink at the mafia wives in passing.