Page 23 of Now and Forever

Until now.

It was all I could picture.

“Cutting the dress isn’t like that,” Mia explained. “Italian men are proud. Your husband is claiming what is his.”

I felt the color drain from my face. “Cut it. Slice it…” My voice cracked. “With a knife.”

“Oh,” Mia said, “you’re overthinking it. Really, it’s exciting.”

Giorgia’s cheeks filled with color. “I remember when Antonio…it was…scary and then…well, it was easier than stripping. It’s a quick cut, and boom, there you are.”

“Mama?” I asked, searching for my mother among the women. Our eyes met in the reflection of the mirror. “Did you know about this?”

She shook her head. “I didn’t.”

“And you think it’s all right?”

Mama feigned a smile. “I think we should be sure to get plenty of pictures before the two of you leave the reception.”

“Are there any other savage traditions?” Camila asked.

“Surely, you have traditions?” Mia countered. “Cutting the dress is no different than your father giving you away. Some would say they’re both misogynistic, as if the bride is no more than an object given from father to husband.”

I hadn’t thought of my father’s role as misogynistic. Patron’s role, that of leveraging me without my consent, on the other hand…

With the coffee I’d consumed percolating in my stomach, I lifted my hand. “Stop. Please. I’d rather not talk about tonight.”

“My brother is about to be capo,” Mia said proudly. “It’s important for him to show the world that he’s in charge.”

Show the world?

“I think this is scaring Cat,” Mama said.

“It’s not just tradition,” Mia said. “It’s God’s plan for us to belong to our husbands.”

“Okay,” Mama said, encouraging the ladies not in the bridal party to give us a few minutes alone. Once it was down to the two of us, Aunt Maria, Camila, and Mireya, Mama reached for my hands. “Cat, maybe we should have discussed your wedding night in more detail.”

I closed my eyes. “Please, Mama, I know about sex.”

“You know the biology. You said you weren’t experienced.”

“I’m wearing white.” When she didn’t speak, I admitted, “Not experienced, but I don’t need the talk twenty minutes before my wedding.”

Aunt Maria met my gaze. “What two married people share can be beautiful. It’s also a good idea to not go into tonight with unobtainable expectations.” She reached for my hand. “It can hurt.”

Mireya’s and Camila’s eyes were glued to Aunt Maria.

This wasn’t the pep talk I needed.

She went on, “Dario seems like a good man.”

A made man.

A murderer.

The Blade.

A criminal.

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