Page 247 of Forced Vows

"That was hours ago," Miceli's uncle scoffs.

Aria waves a dismissive hand at her brother-in-law. "Leave her alone. If she doesn't want to eat, she doesn't have to. She's getting married tomorrow. Her stomach is probably tied in knots. I know mine was the night before my wedding."

With all the celebratory eating we've been doing, there's no room in my stomach for knots, but I appreciate the sentiment.

"Don't pester the girl," Big Sal's wife, Ilaria, says.

A warm hand settles against the back of my neck, strong fingertips digging into tense muscles. "Relax, dolce fiore. Only one day left and then we leave for Marseilles."

After the wedding and the reception following it. This time, the festivities will be hosted by my uncle. For the sake of tradition, I'm spending the night at the mansion with my family.

Maybe that has me a little stressed.

I like sleeping with Miceli. I feel safe with him. But moma won't budge. I'm sleeping in my old bedroom tonight for the last time.

Flicking a glance up at Miceli, I smile. "Is it too late to elope?"

"After all the work your grandmother and my mom put into the wedding? I like my head attached to my body, so I'm going with a yes."

Since becoming the don, Miceli jokes less. Hearing him tease me now makes my heart happy.

"Are you telling me the most powerful don in New York is afraid of his mother?" I tease back.

"Mamma might let me live, but your grandmother will have my guts for garters."

That sounds like something moma would say. "Did she threaten you?"

"It sounded more like a promise to me."

"She loves me."

Miceli's eyes darken with emotion. "So do I."

"I love you too."

CATALINA

"Just call me the matchmaking don," my beloved husband says smugly while the bride and groom-to-be make googly eyes at each other.

"You're a godfather now and I'm pretty sure that's not a thing anyway."

"What would you call it? I have now orchestrated three happy couples in my family." He looks around the guests at the rehearsal night dinner like he's looking for a fourth victim.

"Um, I get you think you're responsible for Salvatore and Bianca's happy marriage, but Brogan Shaughnessy approached you about the alliance."

"And I picked my brother for Róise."

"You didn't even know her then."

"Unlike my brother, I read the background report on her and I knew Róise would be a good match for Miceli. He needs a wife who understands both the brutality of our world and the part of my brother no one else sees."

He's talking about the painting.

"You're not wrong," I admit. "But who's this third couple you're talking about? Are you plotting another marriage alliance?"

Severu's grin turns wicked. "Us, of course."

I can't deny he forced that wedding too, even if he had been engaged to my sister to begin with. I like to remind him of that now and again to keep my doting husband on his toes.

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