Page 188 of Vicious Addictions

“Not a problem. I want today to be perfect,” Dom states, with unconditional love plastered all over his face.

I place my hand on his shoulder and then Gio’s. “It already is. Not only am I marrying the woman of my dreams, but I get to do so with the people I love most in this world watching—my family.”

Tears well up in Dom’s eyes while Gio’s happy-go-lucky expression falters as if fighting back the oncoming swell of tears that threaten to come out. I know he loses the battle the minute he pulls away and starts rushing out the door like someone set fire to his ass.

“Make sure the twins pay up. I’m done,” he says, his voice trembling as he sniffs. “I’m going to see if Vince needs a shoulder to cry on. Or ask him if he wouldn’t mind lending me his.”

I’m still watching Gio leave when Dom thumps his chest against mine, gives me a quick hug, and then bolts for the door, too.

“Wait for me!” Dom calls out, rushing after him, completely bypassing Stella and Marcello as they step into the room.

“Why are all our dads crying all of a sudden?” Stella says, staring over her shoulder, watching the three men in question console themselves in the grand foyer. “Did their cycles finally sync up and we didn’t get the memo?”

“Stop it, Stella.” Marcello chuckles under his breath. “It’s sweet. They’re just happy.”

“If that is what happy looks like, then please put a bullet in me before I ever make that kind of spectacle of myself.” She rolls her eyes.

“If you think they’re going overboard with my wedding, imagine how they’re going to act on yours?” I wiggle my brows teasingly, Marcello starting to laugh louder now.

“Joke’s on you.” She sticks out her tongue at me. “I’m never getting married.”

“Sure, you’re not.” I cross my arms over my chest and stare at her “Cause that’s what mafiaprincipessasdo—stay single all their lives,” I retort sarcastically.

“And why not? No one’s forcing them to marry if they don’t want to. Papà made sure to abolish arranged marriages in the Outfit years ago. And the only way you’d ever see me walking down the aisle, conceding to such a patriarchal arrangement, is if someone put a gun to my head and physically forced me,” she retorts with a flip of her red hair.

“I doubt even then,” Marcello is quick to pile on with a wink.

“What about you, Marcello? Do you share in our sister’s unenthusiastic views on marriage, or would you ever consider giving it a go if you found the right girl?”

“I’m better off alone,” he states flatly, causing my heart to sink into my stomach.

I walk over to him and place my hands on his shoulders to look him in the eye.

“Then you’re shit out of luck, baby brother, because in this family, you’ll never be alone.”

His ocean eyes start to sparkle, a shy smile starting to tug at his lips.

I don’t have time to say anything else, since my mother decides to enter the room at this precise moment.

“The bride is ready, sweetheart. Best take our places.”

Before my brother and sister leave to do just that, Marcello gives me a ferocious hug while Stella skips over to me to leave a peck on my cheek.

“Are you ready, honey?” my mother asks, standing by the door with a large grin to her face.

“Yeah, Mom. I’m more than ready.”

But before she can hook her arm in mine to walk me down the aisle, she presses her warm hand on my cheek and stares deep into my eyes.

“I wish James could see what an amazing man you’ve become. He’d be so proud right now.”

“You think so?” I swallow the lump in my throat at the mention of the man who raised me as his own until the age of nine.

“I know so.” She smiles warmly, replacing her hand on my cheek with a soft kiss. “This is one of the happiest days of our lives. I’m sure he’s looking down on us, smiling, knowing that you’ve found the love and happiness you always deserved.”

“Thank you, Mammà. And I’m sorry for all the distress and restless nights I might have caused you. I know I wasn’t always the best son that you deserved. I promise to do better.”

“You already are, sweetheart. You gave me a new daughter to love. What more could I ask for?”

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