Page 88 of Ruined in Vows

Me being here is dangerous for both of us, but I couldn’t help myself.

I needed to see my angel one more time before all this shit goes down.

Nico had me holed up in a room, with a dozen of his soldiers, a couple floors down, ready and waiting to put our plan in motion to take out Riccardo.

After I fucked Allegra and cleaned her up, she tentatively mentioned having to get ready for the wedding. Overcome with extreme jealousy, I abruptly left the room. Had I stayed, I would have thrown her over my shoulder and ran somewhere no one could find her. My angel’s soft sobs, as she called out to me, pierced my heart and had me nearly turning back to comfort her – but I couldn’t.

Not only would I have given everything away, but I would also have fucked her over and over, until the only thing she remembered was my name. I would have marked her body, sucked and bruised every inch of her smooth skin.

Allegra deserves better than that, so I walked away, the sound of her crying echoing in the halls like a bad omen.

I didn’t see her before she left the estate to head to New York City. I’m sure she was confused, and I hate that I made her feel that way. Nonetheless, that was how it had to happen. Allegra believed I was locked up in my room, but really, I was in an SUV on my way to the city.

“Dante,” she breathes, her eyes wide in shock.

Stepping inside the suite, I ignore the guns pointed at my head, moving toward the person I love most in this world. Grabbing her by the waist, I pull her into me, holding her body close to mine and breathing in her sweet, fruity scent. She looks absolutely stunning in her white dress, and I have wanted nothing more than to see her in a real wedding dress, but it’s bittersweet.

Because my angel believes she is about to marry another man.

“Hi,” I growl, dropping my forehead to hers.

Though her eyes are glassy and full of tears, a laugh bubbles out of her. “Hi.”

“I love you,” I tell her.

Her face falls, a sob bursting from her mouth. Being the strong, resilient, woman I know she is, she composes herself quickly. “I love you. But what are you doing here? You can’t be here, Dante. Someone might have seen you.”

Using my thumbs, I wipe away the tears under her eyes, pressing a kiss to her lips. “I’m here, because I just had to see you, Mrs. Vitale.”

A loud gasp punctures the silence, and I know without looking it’s Valentina.

“What?” she murmurs.

But it's Nico’s words that draw my attention. “What the fuck are you talking about?” he growls, stalking toward us.

Allegra’s blue eyes snap up to him, widening almost comically. She wriggles out of my arms, taking a step back just as Nico joins us. His glare bounces between the both of us, an expectant look on his face.

“Someone better start talking, right the fuck now,” he barks.

Allegra laughs nervously, wringing her hands together. Valentina steps up to us, her gaze shifting from me to her daughter, a questioning look in her blue eyes.

Gathering Allegra in my arms, I position her in front of me, before turning her to face her family. “We are married,” I state bluntly.

“What the fuck, Dante?” Nico exhales, a look of exasperation on his face. He runs a hand through his hair, pinning me with an accusing look. “Why the hell would you do that?” he frowns. “And when the fuck did this happen?”

Straightening, I keep my hold on Allegra when I respond. “Because I love her. This way, regardless of what the priest announces today, their marriage will be void. And it happened while you were in Charleston.”

He shakes his head. “How did you even get someone through the gates to officiate a fucking ceremony? And why was I not informed about a stranger entering the premises?”

“Easy. I threatened the men. And once we were married, Allegra doubled down on those threats.”

“What the fuck, man?” Nico pins me with a glare, his jaw clenching. “Riccardo Romano is waiting for her at the altar. You could have put my sister in danger.” His eyes narrow in on me as he searches my face. He raises a brow, his thoughts transparent, and I read everything he is not saying on his face.

What the fuck are you doing?

Are you going off plan?

Why didn’t you fucking tell me.

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