Page 14 of Maximus

The doubts are circling, waiting to strike, and I’m in two minds whether to see this through or not. I could back out. I could walk out but knowing what is happening a few blocks away, stops me in my tracks. This is bigger than me, my bride and my family. This is the future of the Tessoro mafia which I will be the head of one day. This is my destiny and I must accept it and put all thoughts of the bewitching beauty who slept in my arms last night out of my mind because I won’t let emotion bring about our downfall.

CHAPTER 11

SIERRA

My father emerges from the church and I clutch my bouquet with trembling fingers. Carly and Adele are silent behind me and there is only so much pity I can take from them. They mean well and definitely have my best interests at heart, but they can’t change the fact I am about to marry a stranger.

It’s almost funny to think that in the space of twenty-four hours I have slept with a stranger and now I’m about to marry another one.

My father offers me his arm and says abruptly, “Do not let the family down. You will do your job.”

Carly’s sharp intake of breath behind me brings tears to my eyes because it’s one thing knowing I’m merely a weapon in my father’s eyes but it’s another one my friends knowing it.

I wonder if my father has ever loved anyone in his life. I hope so. It definitely isn’t my mother, but perhaps there is someone else. I’m not sure why, but something flickers in my subconscious and as the music starts, pieces of memory begin to shape a picture I wasn’t expecting.

That woman last night. The one in the elevator. She was familiar to me and I wasn’t sure why. Now, as I walk beside my father, I see her again.

One night last year when I was in town, I saw my father with a woman. That woman.

As I walk, I remember the way she laughed as she gazed at him and the expression he directed her way stopped me in my tracks. He smiled almost adoringly into her eyes before they disappeared through the revolving doors of a swanky hotel. It was the same woman who left my stranger’s apartment last night with a desperate gleam in her eye and yet she appeared angry for some reason.

As I walk down the aisle, my mind is racing and the man waiting at the end of it is now the furthest thing from my mind. Instead, I direct my gaze to the congregation as if she will be sitting among them.

Is she my father’s mistress? If so, why was she at the penthouse last night?

Is she a whore? Then why didn’t she stay? He ordered one. Was she not to his liking?

Something feels off and as we near the front of the church, I finally raise my eyes to the man waiting for me and as our gazes collide, my heart shoots through the roof because facing me with an expression of fury, is the man from the penthouse and it’s now extremely obvious that what happened in Vegas definitely won’t stay there.

I am shakingas he faces me, his expression cold and disinterested. He doesn’t acknowledge me at all. It’s as if wehave never met and I wonder if he is doing that on purpose to protect our secret.

This is the worst possible outcome but also the best because now I know what I’m getting into, it’s not so bad.

Could this work? He will be my husband, but will it be in name only with the odd kid thrown in for good measure? Will I lie in bed picturing him doing the same with other women, wishing it was me? My mind is racing as I face the possibility he will be angry because of what we did last night. I’m meant to be a virgin. I was for him. One night earlier than planned, but the outcome was the same.

However, it’s obvious from the anger in his eyes that he doesn’t view it that way, and as we stand before the priest, I accept the fact I screwed up big time.

Something isn’t right.It’s swirling around me like a dark premonition. Everything is happening in slow motion and it’s as if the vultures are circling.

I falter as I stand beside him and his arm shoots out to steady me and I sense unease in the air.

I half turn and note my father’s stern expression. He is staring at my bridegroom with a malevolent gleam in his eye. Mom appears terrified and I wonder why and then a curt, “Eyes forward,” alerts me to the fact my new husband is the one dictating my movements from now on.

The priest steps up as the music stops and from the corner of my eye, I notice my father’s reflection in the shiny urn filled with flowers. He turns to his consigliere and, as he moves, I see the pistol strapped to his shoulder and have my answer.

Before anyone knows what’s happening, I fall to the ground as if I fainted and as my bridegroom drops down with concern beside me, I whisper, “It’s an ambush.”

His anger is palpable as he shouts, “Fetch a medic!”

My father rushes to my side and I close my eyes, pretending I’m unconscious and I’m not sure what happens next because it’s as if hell has entered the room. A body lands on top of me and holds me down as gunshots rain down in a destructive storm and screams and moans punctuate the air and the sound of running and shouting freezes me to the spot.

Suddenly, there is less shouting and no more shots and I almost weep with relief when a familiar voice whispers, “I’ve got you baby, now stand and face forward. We’ll exit through the back.”

My heart is beating so hard, I may not make it out of here alive and as I follow the man who almost became my husband, I do as he says and I don’t look back.

CHAPTER 12

MAXIMUS

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