Page 22 of Brutal Husband

Nero’s eyes narrow.

Maybe it’s better I don’t think about this too much. I stop going through the pages and hand them back to Nero. I know what my father did to make his money, in essence if not in detail, and it wasn’t legal. He would often socialize with his associates at weddings.

It’s one of my fiancé’s “cold days,” as I’ve started calling them privately. We’re alone in his house, but his mood is low, and he hasn’t kissed me once. I reach for my bag, bid Nero goodbye, and head out to my car.

I’m pulling into my driveway when I see that I have a text from him.

Sorry I wasn’t talkative. It’s been a stressful day. Meet me for dinner tomorrow night? I want to eat you.

I smile as I type out my reply, saying I will meet him. We all have our bad days, and I know when I meet Nero tomorrow night, he’ll be his usual, charming self.

The days pass swiftly as there’s lots to organize. Nero is handling the venue, florist, wedding cars, cake, and caterers, but there are many other things to be decided quickly, like my wedding makeup, bridesmaid dresses for Isabel and Mia, table settings, and the honeymoon bookings. I wanted my fiancé and I to choose everything together instead of splitting things up like this, but Nero wants it done this way. He doesn’t care where we go on our honeymoon, so I book a week in Paris. I’ve never been to Europe before, but everyone loves Paris, don’t they? The city of love. Away from everyone who knows him, Nero will be the Nero I love best, talkative, charismatic, and, well, dirty as hell.

Very soon it’s the morning of our wedding, and my stomach is in knots of nerves and hopes. Isabel and Mia help me into my dress and arrange the curls that have been set into my hair. I can’t stop smiling.

“Aren’t you the radiant, blushing bride? Are you actually in love with Nero?” Isabel asks.

I gaze at my reflection in the mirror while I think about my groom. I am radiant, aren’t I? “I wasn’t expecting to feel like this, but yes, I think I’m falling in love with Nero. He’s reserved and quiet around you all, but when we’re alone together, he’s so charming. So warm. Nero’s a strange man, but he really cares about me.”

“Strange how?” Mia asks, a suspicious expression on her face.

I hesitate. “He’s not a people person. I don’t think he trusts easily, but his heart is in the right place. I’m sure he’ll relax in time, and you’ll get to know him as I do.”

“Hold still, darling,” Mom says in a brisk tone, approaching with a long lace veil in her hands. We’ve barely spoken since the basement incident. “I need to pin your veil in place.”

Mom doesn’t meet my eyes as she pins the veil in place. She’s so thorough about it that some of the pins scrape my scalp. I wince but I don’t say anything.

As we drive to the church in the grand wedding car that Nero chose, my nerves multiply. Will he smile at me as I walk down the aisle toward him, or will I see only coldness in his eyes because he’s uncomfortable in front of so many people? I mustn’t expect too much of him today. Tonight when we’re alone together, that’s when he’ll become the man I’m falling in love with.

And yet, I can’t help but hope.A smile? Can I expect a smile at the altar? A kiss that says,You’re mine, Rieta?

I pass through the huge double doors of the church and walk down the aisle toward my groom. My long lace dress trails on the ground as I clutch a bouquet of hopeful daisies. Long, white candles are aglow with tapered flames. Sunshine streams through the stained glass windows. Huge bunches of daisies and white and yellow roses adorn every surface. Strangers fill the pews, the men in somber suits and women wearing elaborate hats.

I keep my gaze fixed on my soon-to-be husband, but I can’t see his expression through the lace. My stomach is a riot of knots, wondering how he feels watching me approach. Is he even half as nervous as I am at this moment?

I arrive at Nero’s side. He reaches for the edge of my veil and draws it back, and I can finally see him.

My breath catches in my throat.

My heart pounds.

Nero’s dark hair is swept back, and his deep brown eyes are gazing into mine with an expression of love and wonder. He looks only at me. Everyone else in the church has ceased to exist for him.

I’m so happy that tears prickle my eyes, and my smile wobbles as I struggle to control my emotions.

Nero leans closer, love filling his eyes as he whispers, “I’m going to remember you exactly like this forever. You’re beautiful,cara mia.”

When he takes my hands in his, I grip them tight, holding on to him with my life, with my heart. I’m so focused on my husband that I’m barely aware of the wedding ceremony, repeating the phrases automatically until the priest says, “You may kiss the bride.”

Nero takes my face in his hands. He gazes at me for a moment, hesitating not from fear, but from anticipation. He kisses me in front of all these people. A beautiful, loving kiss, straight from the heart.

Everything’s going to be all right.

“I love you, Nero Lombardi,” I whisper. “I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”

Nero’s smile freezes on his face. He stares at me for a moment, uncertain and confused, and then pulls me tight against his chest. His chest is shuddering. His heart is beating wildly.

Did I do something wrong?

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