Page 42 of Mercy in Betrayal

Evie returns a little while later with a bouquet of flowers and Clementine, looking handsome and aggrieved, with a black bow tie around his neck. Smoothing his fur back, she shows me a plain golden wedding band that has already been attached to the fabric. “Ready?”

I shake my head and bury my face in Clem’s fur. Inhaling deeply, I let his scent and purr envelop my senses and calm me. “No.”

“Ready or not, it’s time.”

I give myself another moment, then stand. Taking hold of Clem’s leash, I open the door and begin the walk down the hall to where Cassidy waits at the entrance to the chapel. Sal Fiorelli waits alongside him with Carina, whose gaze slides over me with something like annoyance before she masks her expression.

Carina’s dress is white.

The doors open, and Evie slips past us to take her seat.

At first, I can see nothing but a sea of people. Carina and Fiorelli begin walking ahead of us, and the congregation rises in a wave of oohs and aahs. The thought of following her down the aisle has me cringing backward, but Cassidy’s hand on my arm is unyielding. “Smile,” he murmurs and begins to pull me forward.

“Fuck you,” I whisper back, gratified when his step hitches slightly. “I will never forgive you for this.”

Carina and Fiorelli reach the front of the nave and take their places, and I’m able to see Luca and Enzo waiting. Luca’s jaw is tight, no doubt angry at having to share his ceremony. Enzo looks bored, except for that flame in his gaze as it tracks my progress down the aisle.

And then I’m there, at his side. Cassidy gives me to Enzo swiftly and without fanfare, placing my hand in his with a small squeeze before turning and taking his seat beside Evie. I look blindly at the priest in front of me, the words drifting in and out as we repeat the necessary phrases and take our vows.

My fingers are cold and clumsy as I attempt to untie the bow tie and retrieve the ring. Enzo’s fingers, warm and strong, move mine gently aside as he finishes the task, peering into my face. Blinking, I slide the ring on his finger.

I turn my face a fraction when he bends to kiss me, and his lips land on the corner of my mouth instead of my lips. I feel him smile against my skin. “Point to you, little bird,” he says. “It’ll be the last one.”

Just days ago, I was in a bridal shop, drinking champagne, fingering tulle dresses, and dreaming of my wedding day. Today, I’m in a bridesmaid’s dress I hate, standing next to a husband who has been forced on me.

A husband I don’t even know.

Chapter 15

Enzo

“I insist.” Angel holds the door open for me and Rowan. The white limousine is owned by the Valachi, and I want to decline, but Angel is waiting.

You don’t turn down the Valachi.

I stand back and allow Rowan to get in. Her anger pulses silently, and she slides across the leather seat, not saying a word, to stare out the far window.

She clutches that cat of hers on her lap, her fingers curled tightly into its fur, and it hisses at me when I slide in to sit beside her. I make a face, and she pushes her hip as close to the opposite door as possible. My wife isn’t just angry; she’s fuming.

Vivi climbs in and sits directly across from Rowan, but her focus is on me as she glares openly in my direction.

Everyone’s pissed at me.

The door closes as Angel gets in, and he opens a small hatch that reveals a mini bar. He takes out four glasses and fills them with equal amounts of brandy. He holds one out to Rowan; she doesn’t look at him but waves a hand in his direction. “I don’t want a drink,” she snaps.

Angel isn’t affected by Rowan’s manners.

“Vivi?” He asks.

“No.”

Angel smiles at me with two raised brows. “More for us.” He pours Rowan’s drink into mine and Vivi’s into his. I accept mine, and Angel raises his as the limousine starts to move.

“To a very happy ending.” He leans across, and I do the same, meeting him in the middle. We click glasses. Vivi huffs loudly, but Angel acts like we aren’t trapped in a tin can with two raging dragons and a spitting mini-gryffon.

“This is my favorite time of year.” Angel reflects. “It’s all about new beginnings, forgiveness. And new friendships.” He holds his glass up to me again, and I drink to his toast, but I don’t trust Angel, not for one second.

He talks lightly about inconsequential things, his smile appearing genuine and happy. The ride feels long, and I’ve emptied my glass when we finally reach our destination. It’s the same venue where the New Year’s Party was held. I take a peek at Vivi, who hasn’t blinked the entire ride, continuing to glare at me. I wonder if she’ll be so brave when her brother isn’t here. She’s starting to piss me off. I get out and wait for Rowan, who storms ahead of me, refusing to make eye contact.

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