Page 28 of Till Death Do Us Part

“Take off your shoes.”

My eyes opened in shock. Being barefoot at my own reception would be a scandal in the making. “I can’t.”

“You’re my wife. That elevates your status among the cartel women to second only tomi madre. Do as you please. Being comfortable is more important than what others think.”

His comment reminded me of my argument with Dario. Once I was wed to the cartel, I was no longer under the famiglia’s control—Dario’s or even my mother’s.

A smile teased my lips as I reached down and unbuckled the strap to each sandal. When I stood, the top of my head barely surpassed my husband’s shoulder. Wiggling my toes, I relished the easing ache in my feet. Looking up, I whispered, “I feel like a rebel.”

“I’ve been known to be one, too.” Aléjandro ran the pad of his thumb over my lower lip. “It’s why we fit well together.”

I didn’t want to think about how well we fit together. I wanted to convince myself that I already regretted my decision, and that arranged marriages were a horrible injustice to women everywhere. However, as Aléjandro wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me close and pressing my breasts against his solid chest, I inclined my hips toward his, and the tingling and twisting in my core told me that my argument was quickly losing relevance.

The music slowed, followed by Aléjandro’s steps. Instinctively, I laid my cheek against his muscular shoulder, taking in the woodsy and leather scent of his cologne as his hands lowered, resting just above my butt. Before I closed my eyes, I spotted my brother on the dance floor with Catalina in his arms. It was a good thing that she announced her pregnancy before today because there would have been little chance that people wouldn’t have suspected. Her midsection was growing.

Dante had said Catalina melted Dario’s hardened heart. After Josie’s death, Dario had shut down, striving only to become capo. Watching the two of them dance, chat, and smile gave me hope. Not all arranged marriages were hell. Dario and Catalina were an example of that. As I looked up at my new husband, he turned toward me, and without the cheers of the guests, he craned his neck until his strong lips brushed over mine.

“The rest of your dances belong to me,” he said, his deep voice stirring something within me.

I nodded. For a millisecond, my life felt right.

What occurred today was not a marriage my father would have ever accepted. I’d heard negative things about the cartel for most of my life. Rocco was the man Father approved. In Father’s eyes, being beaten and raped was more acceptable than marrying outside the famiglia. Perhaps, these were other reasons for me to give Aléjandro a chance.

Time would tell.

The clock approached midnight, and yet the party was still going strong. Emiliano and Reinaldo carried two chairs to the center of the dance floor. I turned to Aléjandro who was again smiling.

“La Vibora de La Mar,”he said.

I shook my head.

“The sea snake dance.”

“Oh no. I’m not dancing with snakes.”

Laughing, he took my hand and led me to the chairs.

“Am I supposed to sit?” I asked.

“No, stand.” He offered his hand.

I was glad my shoes were under the head table as I stood on top of the chair in bare feet. Aléjandro gracefully stepped onto the other. Taking my hand, he lifted it. The guests cheered as the music began. One by one, the guests took one another’s hands, and danced, passing under the arch of our arms. With each stanza, the beat quickened. Faster and faster the guests danced. Their line swayed and our guests roared with glee, trying to keep their chain from breaking as Aléjandro’s and my hands stayed united.

Finally, the band stopped and once again the guests cheered.

Aléjandro jumped down and with his hands to my waist, lifted me from the chair to the floor as if I hadn’t gained a size but weighed nothing. As my feet contacted the pavers, the chants resumed.

“Bacio. Bacio.”

“Beso. Beso.”

With a grin, I leaned into his kiss. The men cheered as the kiss lasted longer than the ones earlier in the night.

“It’s time for us to go,” Aléjandro said.

The merriment of the wedding celebration faded as I nodded in agreement. I wanted to ask him if he remembered what I’d told him, about expectations for tonight. However, as we walked hand in hand toward the house, I decided not to spoil the mood.

No doubt, it would be spoiled soon enough.

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