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.