Page 26 of Vicious Union

Dad enters the room and stops when he sees me. “You’re so beautiful, pumpkin. My baby girl, getting married.” He sniffles and wipes at the tears forming in his eyes.

“You’re going to make me cry, and I don’t want to ruin my makeup.” I hug him.

“So, this is it. You’re finally leaving the nest and becoming a woman.”

I want to point out I’ve been a woman for a couple of years now, but my dad doesn’t see me that way and never will. I’ll be a hundred, and he’ll be long dead, and he’ll still see me as a baby.

“Do you approve?” I nod down at my dress.

“It’s beautiful. Though … a little more provocative than I would’ve thought, but it’s your wedding day. I want you to be happy in anything you wear.”

“Thanks, Daddy.” We hug once more before letting each other go. I turn back to the mirror. “Ok. Let’s do this.”

* * *

The wedding is large, with over a hundred people in attendance. I honestly don’t know many of the people because they’re my dad’s coworkers, but that doesn’t bother me. I can have a party with anyone.

Everyone stands when I enter the room with my dad on my arm. Emilio stands at the end of a long aisle with a priest with him. I’m not Catholic in the slightest, but most Italians in New York are. I know the De Lucas are.

Though I never would’ve pegged Emilio as religious, seeing as he has a constant stick up his ass, it’s not surprising.

His facial expression doesn’t change as I walk down the aisle. Damn him. He knows what he’s doing. But I do see his eyes widen for just a fraction before returning to his normal annoyed, grumpy look. He likes what he sees. I know it.

When we reach the end of the aisle, Dad passes my hand to Emilio. “Take good care of her,” he says.

Emilio nods. “I will.”

I want to snort. If Emilio means spanking me forever, then sure, he’ll take good care of me; otherwise, I doubt it.

Emilio and I stand before each other as the ceremony starts. I’ll admit—he looks good in his suit. Like, really good. Like, I could kiss him right now good.

How can someone who annoys me so much also make me body feel like it’s going crazy? It doesn’t make sense, but it’s what’s happening.

“Do you, Emilio De Luca, take Caterina Russo to be your lawfully wedded wife?” the priest asks.

He stares at me, and for a moment, I think he won’t answer. Then he opens his mouth. “I do.” His voice is clear and unwavering, and it does things to me.

Here I am, signing away my life to a man who wants to keep me locked up forever. I should be hating this moment, and in some ways, I am. But I’m also excited to experience more that life has to offer. Without my dad keeping an eye on me, I’ll be free to go where I want, when I want. Sure, Emilio might object to that, but he doesn’t scare me. I’m not afraid to disappoint him. I already disappoint Emilio just by breathing in his general direction.

“Do you, Caterina Rocco, take Emilio De Luca to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

“I do,” I respond, giving Emilio a smirk as I say it. His lips twitch, but otherwise, he only stares at me with his grumpy expression.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

Emilio leans in and gives me the most chaste kiss I’ve ever experienced. I lean in for more, but he’s backing away before I get it. Now, it’s his turn to smirk at me.

“Screw you,” I whisper.

He just shrugs.

We leave the ceremony to go have our pictures taken in the rooftop garden before joining the rest of the guests in the ballroom.

Emilio and I are quiet until we enter the elevator.

“You must be happy,” I say. “You own me now. You can do whatever you want with me.”

“Why did you insist on torturing me with your dress?” he mutters.

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