Page 3 of The Sicilian Brotherhood I

“Shit,” I hissed under my breath.

“Calm down, Dahlia.”

“Don’t tell me to calm down! My family is here Ana. People expect a wedding today. What if he doesn’t come?"

“He’ll come.”

I fumed that she couldn't be more forthcoming.

“Then where is he? Rico isn’t talking which makes me think something’s going on. Do you know? Are you not telling me something?”

“Dahlia, calm down.”

“Screw off!”

She stared at me flabbergasted after my outburst.

“Those pills were supposed to calm you down,” she huffed before walking off again.

Rico reentered the room after she left.

“Don’t worry. He’s on his way.”

“From where? Where is he, Rico!” I asked again.

My face was flushed and burning. I could feel the makeup slipping as beads of sweat dripped down my face, threatening my makeup's integrity.

“Handkerchief?” Rico offered.

I nodded and seated myself again, tilting my head back and allowing him to towel me off. The doors to the venue swung open. They were large oak doors that creaked and heaved as they were thrust open.

I breathed a sigh of relief.

“Is that him?”

“Most likely.”

“Can you go check?”

Rico nodded and left me in the dressing room alone with his handkerchief. I closed my eyes. I heard footsteps and then voices. The voices were in Italian, which I didn’t speak. I didn’t recognize the voices either. Franco still wasn’t here.

The moment I was supposed to be walking down the aisle, I pushed open the door to the dressing room, peering out into the hallway. There was nobody. I could hear voices in Italian growing louder and more rapid. I pushed the door shut and took my seat again. More boots.

Then the door to my dressing room swung open.

“I found her,” a man said, growling in a deep, terrifying voice.

I stood up.

“Who are you? What the hell are you doing here?”

“Dahlia Cole,” he replied, his lips curling into a cruel smile.

“RICO!” I screamed.

My heart raced faster in my chest. I stood before this towering giant defenseless, imprisoned by my high heels and my wedding dress.

“Rico isn’t coming to save your ass,” the man growled.

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