Page 2 of Stolen Union

“It is a consolation,” I admit. “I do look good.”

And I do.

My dress has a sweetheart neckline, showing just a hint of cleavage while still being modest, while sleeves are off the shoulder, resting on my upper arms. The skirt flares around me, covered in simple lace and layers that make me look more like a princess than a girl from New York. Well, I am a Mafia princess, so I guess it counts.

My brown hair tumbles around my shoulders in soft waves, and my makeup brings out the soft brown in my eyes. I look great. Antonio can only hope he’s worthy of me. Because I know he isn’t.

“You’re going to knock Antonio dead when he sees you,” Caterina says.

“You just might to it for me.” I eye her over in her skintight red dress. She looks like a blonde bombshell.

“Emilio hated that I wore this,” she says. “But I knew you wouldn’t be mad at me.”

“I’m not. You look fabulous. Sure, this is my wedding day, but I’m not happy about it. If you three can have fun for me, that would be great.”

Ophelia looks pretty in a blue dress that makes her red hair pop. “We’re here for you, Gabi. Know that.”

“I do. I’m just … Why do I have to be so opposed to this? I should be happy to marry Antonio. On paper, he’s perfect.”

“You’ll have time to fall in love with him,” Lara says. She runs her hands down her soft pink dress, smoothing any wrinkles. “I didn’t like Rocco at first, but we grew together. And now, I can’t imagine being with anyone other than him.”

“I was the same with Massimo,” Ophelia says.

Caterina raises her hand. “Me, too, with Emilio. I thought we were going to kill each other when we first got married.” She pauses. “I still think we’re going to kill each other somedays.”

I laugh. “At least you guys have passion for each other. With Antonio, all I feel is … gray. It’s just gray and flat and nothingness. It’s boring with him.”

“Well, you’ve never really lived with him,” Lara says. “You’ve only met on a couple of occasions.”

“Something tells me marrying him won’t change anything,” I mutter as I make a face in the mirror.

“You have to give it a chance,” she says. “That’s the only thing you can do. Rocco won’t let you out of this marriage.”

I sigh. “I know. But I can hope.”

“We’ll be cheering you on from the sidelines,” Caterina says. “I’ll be the loudest.”

“Naturally.” Everyone laughs at that.

After they each hug me, they leave me and head into the ceremony room.

Rocco arrives at my door soon after. “It’s time, Gabriella.”

“Time to completely change my life for the worst,” I say.

“Don’t.” He gives me a warning look. “Be on your best behavior. You’re marrying Antonio Ricci today. Make me proud.”

And that’s how my brother gets you. He says ‘make me proud,” and you have no choice but do it; otherwise, you’ll feel shitty. So, I plaster a smile on my face and follow him out the door to the wedding ceremony I have nothing to do with.

My first time meeting Antonio, he came to Rocco’s house, where I lived with him and Lara after our father died.

My first impression of Antonio was that he was handsome, which was good. But it quickly became apparent that he was also boring, which was bad. The first thing out of his mouth was: “How much does a polar bear weigh?”

Before I could answer, he said, “Enough to break the ice!”

I only stared at him while Rocco looked embarrassed and quickly motioned Antonio to follow us into the living room.

“Did he seriously make a break the ice joke?” I muttered to Lara, who shrugged.

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