Page 23 of Tainted Ties

Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale.

In a few short moments, I would be tied down to someone who was out to wreak havoc on my life and cause it to crumble into pieces until it turned into nothing but a pile of dust.

Luca stared at me with a strange expression that I couldn’t decipher. It was peculiar, as if he knew me through and through.

The officiant gestured at Roman and me to face each other, which I did with distaste.

After the introduction that we were entering a legal marriage, it was time for the legal vows.

“Do you, Roman Mancini, take Aurora Bianchi to be your lawfully wedded wife to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to be faithful to her, to love, honor, cherish, and respect as long as you both shall live?”

This was by far the most awkward wedding ceremony I had ever witnessed, and it wasmyceremony. For fucks sake, we weren’t even holding hands.

To top it off, the bastard must’ve thought I was an uncultured swine because this ceremony was more American than Italian.

Roman had a way of appearing graceful and sinful simultaneously. He stood before me with ease and crisp attentiveness. His soul-snatching eyes were brighter than usual, a contrast to his hardened expression.

This was the longest we had ever stared at one another and all I felt was this hollowness in my chest.

“I do.” Two simple words, yet they held the weight of a thousand anchors, and I was on the receiving end of it.

“Do you, Aurora Bianchi, take Roman Mancini to be your lawfully wedded husband to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to be faithful to him, to love, honor, cherish, and respect as long as you both shall live?”

No. No. No.

My throat closed, forbidding me from saying those two words.

“Anima mia.”

There was that awful nickname again, sounding as threatening as the last time he had said it.

“I do,” I said with as much excitement as I could muster; none.

“Roman Mancini, as you place the ring on Aurora Bianchi’s finger, please repeat after me: This ring I give in token and pledge, as a sign of my love and devotion. With this ring, I thee wed.”

My eyes narrowed, realizing I wasn’t given a ring to put on Roman and for a reason I knew had everything to do with his reeking sense of superiority.

He must have sensed the moment I wanted to snatch my hand away from his because he clasped it tighter, crushing the bones beneath.

Bracing my strength, I blinked the pain away and clenched my teeth together as he spoke his vows.

“This ring I give in token and pledge, as a sign of my love and devotion. With this ring, I thee wed.” He placed a diamond ring on my finger, the rock shining brighter than my future.

“Congratulations! I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride!”

The world stilled as I heard those words.

Roman stepped forward until we were merely an inch apart.

Everything moved in slow motion as he stared down at me, his palm cupping the left side of my face, calloused and warm. Everything that conspired between us was suddenly forgotten with that one gentle touch.

He glided his thumb across my bottom lip, parting my mouth slightly. My eyes closed involuntarily when he leaned in.

I held my breath as my heart pounded, threatening to leap out of my chest.

Then, I felt the warmth of his breath against my mouth before his lips brushed featherlight against my own. Like lethal attraction, I leaned in to seal the kiss, but he pulled back abruptly.

Startled, I opened my eyes to find him staring down at me. His heady eyes were shades darker than before, a fraction of lust reflecting in them.

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