Chapter 9 #2
"Restless,” I sighed. “It's been too long since I threatened to murder someone," I whispered in his ear, while I fiddled with a button on his shirt.
“Yeah, an entire four days," he said, arching his brow, and I froze. He'd been there, he'd seen me, and that's why I was in this situation. The warehouse, the blood, Diego Esposito's shocked face. I needed to make sure this man's charms didn't make me forget that I hated him.
The evening wore on, and I found myself sitting at a table with my sisters, mother, and the women from Nico's family.
The air was thick with perfume and wine, the sound of laughter and clinking glasses filling the space.
"This has been a beautiful evening." My mother crooned.
"Tomorrow, better go off without a hitch, and then we can hang the sheet and be done with this pesky wedding.
" I choked on my wine and looked at my mother.
Cecilia gently pressed her hand to mine, and I turned to look at her.
She was poised and elegant, while I was ready to fly into hysterics.
"Hanging of the sheet?" She asked, her voice carefully neutral.
"Oh yes." She clasped her hands together at her chest and sighed. "It's a Carminatti tradition to hang the bed sheet from the wedding night for all to see." She was proud of this. My mother was smiling like she'd won the lottery, and it was because of humiliation at my expense.
"Francesca, while that might be a trashy Carminatti tradition, it will not happen at a Venosa wedding.
What happens in a newly married couple's boudoir is between them.
The fact that you're so willing to humiliate your daughter for an outdated, disgusting tradition makes me question what kind of mother you are.
" She arched her brow, sweet smile still on her face, and waited for my mother to fire back.
My mother's face turned red, her neck blotching with color, and her eyes flit from Cecilia to me, down to my hand, which my soon-to-be mother-in-law still covered. "You spit on our traditions?" She squawked, covering her chest.
"Yes, I do, and I will thank you to watch your tone with me.
This is my son's home, and I don't think he'd appreciate how you're speaking to me, or what you're planning to do to his wife.
" She sat a little straighter. "I think the evening has worn out, Emilia, and she needs to rest before tomorrow.
" Finally, Cecilia tore her eyes from my mother and looked at me.
She squeezed my hand slightly. "Oh, yes, um, I think we should call it a night." My mother stood so fast her chair shot across the floor, making all eyes turn to her. The sound echoed in the suddenly quiet room.
"Alessia, Gianna, we're leaving, since your sister's tired.
" My mother glared at me and left the room.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw my father rush after her, and I slumped in my chair, letting out a long breath.
A few of Nico's close family were left, but with a snap of Cecilia's fingers, they also left the room.
Women in this life might not wield weapons and carry out hits, but some had the power to do more damage with a snap alone. If I had to hang up my dona ways, I would become like Cecilia.
The doors were pulled shut, and Nico walked over and took a seat beside me.
"What's going on?" His suit jacket was quickly discarded, and he pulled at his tie until it was draped around his neck.
He popped open the top two buttons of his shirt, which gave me a glimpse of more ink.
Dark lines and script disappearing beneath the fabric.
This man was sex on a stick, and he knew it.
"That woman is a disgusting human being. I'm sorry, dear, but I just can't believe anyone could be that ridiculous." She patted my leg, and I had to smile.
"You sound like you're telling me something I don't know. Thank you for standing up for me, even if I'd have said no, she would have done it anyway."
"Would one of you please tell me what I'm missing?" Nico leaned forward and rested his elbows on the table.
"Emi's mom wanted to hang your bed sheet up the morning after your wedding, so everyone could see how pure her daughter was. God, if that happens to me, I'd have to get blood from someone." Trixie said, looking at her fingernails.
Rolling my lips together, I had to stop my laugh as I watched Nico's face as he processed everything that his sister had blurred out.
His expression went from confused to horrified to furious in the span of seconds.
I could tell he was trying to figure out what part of this discussion he wanted to tackle first.
"Trix, I don't want to know, and Emilia, what's she talking about?" He turned to look at me and frowned when I burst out laughing.
"It's so stupid, not even worth discussing." I waved it off and rolled my eyes.
"Did you just roll your eyes at me?" His frown deepened. "Whatever it is made my mother so mad she closed down our party."
"This is so embarrassing." I covered my face with my hands because I couldn't look at him.
"Apparently, there's a Carminatti tradition to prove the marriage was consummated and the bride a virgin.
The bed sheet is hung for people to observe.
What do people walk by and stare at it like it's Michelangelo's David?
" Gently, Nico wrapped his hands around my wrists and pulled them away from my face.
"It's not happening, so don't worry about it." His eyes softened, and fuck it, wouldn't you know my heart fluttered.
"I made her very aware it wasn't happening." His mother firmly stated, before raising her glass to take a drink of wine.
"Very aware and told her she was a shit mother all while keeping her perfect smile on her face," Trixie said before downing the last of her wine. "I wanna be you when I grow up, Mom."
"Me too." I giggled, suddenly feeling the effects of the wine I'd consumed this evening. The room was warm, everything soft around the edges.
"Thank you, mother. Emilia, Trix, both of you to bed now." He commanded.
"Wanna have a sleepover?" Trixie said as she jumped up from the table.
"I've never had one," I said, looking around the table.
"You're shitting me. Well, this party's just getting started." Trixie grabbed three bottles of wine from the tables. "Grab the glasses, we've been ordered to bed." She pointed at the clean wine glasses, and I did as I was told.
Standing too fast, the room spun slightly, and Nico grabbed my waist. His hands were warm, steadying. "See you in the morning, fiancé." This time, I gently placed a light kiss on his lips, and even that felt like too much in front of his family. But the taste of him lingered, making me want more.
"See you tomorrow." He let his hand drift from my hip to my thigh, squeezing gently. Straightening up, I bolted out of the room after Trixie, my heart racing and my body humming with anticipation for tomorrow. For better or worse, Niccolò Venosa would be mine.