I smiled sadly…

Then started down the steps as I wiped the old lady’s blood off on my black tuxedo.

“What the HELL were you THINKING?!” Niccolo raged.

I ignored him.

Instead, I went and stood in front of Dario.

He gave me a cold frown as I spoke.

“Don Rosolini, I am truly sorry for the danger I’ve brought down on you and everyone here today. I understand if you wantto disown me and banish me from the family for what I’ve done… but I have to go.”

Then I turned and rapidly began walking down the aisle.

“Where the hell do you thinkyou’regoing?!” Niccolo yelled.

“To find the woman I love and beg her to forgive me!” I shouted back.

I was almost to the doors of the chapel when I heard a creak behind me.

Then the voice that I loved –

The most beautiful voice in the world –

Called my name softly.

“Valentino.”

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Caterina

Iwas stunned beyond words.

The drama that had just unfolded –

Everybody nearly dying –

And then the old lady saving her granddaughter like that?

I wasbawling.

I had to cry into my sleeve so they wouldn’t hear me.

But then…

When Valentino said, “To find the woman I love and beg her to forgive me,” I lost it.

I heard his footsteps rushing down the aisle –

And that’s when I finally came out of hiding.

“Valentino,” I said, smiling through my tears.

When he turned to me, it was the most shocked I’d ever seen him.

He stared at me in amazement for almost three seconds.