Page 79 of Twisted Games of Revenge

We have a few photos taken by a photographer friend of Alessandro’s. Apparently, she will be writing up a story about the two of us, something I’m sure Enzo and Valentina will lose their shit over when they hear about being excluded from the ceremony. But that’s on them. When it’s all done, Rose says her goodbyes and so does the photographer, leaving just the five of us.

I stand looking around the beautiful ceremony space the boys created for me, still in awe.

Alex’s hand clutches mine. “We should get out of here.”

“Are you worried?” I glance over my shoulder in the direction of the other boys who have gathered at Ricky’s Jeep.

“I have enough guards on site that I’m not, but I don’t want to take any risks that aren’t necessary.”

My brow quirks up. “It was necessary to marry me out here in this beautiful space?”

“Absolutely. I wasn’t just having you sign the papers. Even if this wasn’t a real wedding, this might be the only chance I get to marry you. I was doing it right.”

I can’t help but smile back at him. “Thanks, I appreciate the effort you all went to. The space is magical.”

“It is.” He kisses me. “If I did marry you for real today, I know what I would have said.”

A smirk plays on my lips as I eye him curiously, my eyebrows slightly raised. “Oh yeah? Something like if you don’t obey me, Iwill lock you up and throw away the key?” I burst into laughter, not able to keep a straight face at my dig at him.

He crowds me, his face turning serious, backing me up until my ass hits the tree behind me. He stares down at me, all commanding and sexy as hell. “Careful, princess, I’m your husband now. I might just do exactly that, and there will be nothing you can do about it,” he says in warning, but I know he’s playing with me just as much.

I reach up and run my fingers through his hair. “What would you have said to me?”

His eyes soften, and he looks at me with adoration. “Harley Havardi, I knew I loved you the moment I laid eyes on you, and I know things haven’t always been easy. I don’t deserve you, but I’m going to spend the rest of my life showing you exactly what you mean to me and making up for every mistake I have made.” His hand brushes down the side of my face tenderly. I stare up at him, feeling every word he’s saying. “You are the most beautiful, fierce, badass girl I know, and our child will be lucky to have you for a mother. From now until eternity I will love you, and I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me and love me in return.”

Tears well in my eyes, and I try desperately to blink them away. “I do love you, Alex.” I whisper the words, and seconds later, his mouth crashes with mine in a possessive kiss. I will never get used to this, the feeling that my heart is so full I don’t know what to do.

After the five of us arrive home I wander into my room alone, feeling a little overwhelmed, my mind already racing with what might happen tonight. I change out of my dress and find something black, a cocktail dress with long lace sleeves and a sinched-in waist. I stare at my reflection in the mirror,wondering if I look different. But I don’t. I’m the same girl, only now I have a husband.

“Are you okay, Red?” comes Geovani’s voice from my doorway. “We’re ready to go.”

Geovani moves through the room toward me, caging me in. His hands travel down my sides, stopping when he gets to my waist, then he pulls me into him and drops his lips to mine, kissing me with a possessiveness I feel all the way down to my toes like he knew it was exactly what I needed. When he pulls back from me, he looks me over with concern. “I will be right there with you all night.”

“I have a bad feeling about this dinner.”

“I would say this is just Enzo’s way of trying to act like he still holds some control over his sons. But if something does go south, we have backup.”

“Who?”

“An army of Iron Strykers waiting just outside the grounds, ready to storm the place at a moment’s notice. You’re one powerful woman, Red.”

I laugh, because no, I’m not.

His face turns serious. “Never underestimate who you are. There is something within you that makes people take notice. It’s why Enzo was so wary of you when he knew you as Harley. He could see your power, and he couldn’t stand it.”

I stand a little taller. “Thank you.” I pop up on my toes and kiss him on the lips. He doesn’t know what his words of encouragement mean to me, but if he thinks I’m strong and I can do this, I feel as though I can. “I can do anything with you boys by my side.”

“You could do it without us as well. But we won’t let you.” His lips turn up at the side and he pulls me into him.

“One day when Enzo is dealt with, I want to make a change, do something that could really make a difference. Maybe with yourhelp I could run some self-defense classes for the women who work at your club, and Sloane’s girls.”

“We can do that now, if you want. But you will have to do more the business side of things, and I will teach the classes, until this one is born anyway.” I smile back at him, liking that idea a lot. We leave my room together, ready to take on whatever shit storm Enzo has planned for us tonight. Because we’re together, and we’re ready for him.

Chapter 34

As we walked upthe grand staircase to the Moretti estate’s front hall, the polished marble gleams under the sparkling chandeliers. We are greeted with warm smiles from the staff. As soon as the front door is closed, a scattering of goosebumps rise over my skin.

I hate this place with a passion, it gives me the creeps. But at least my morning sickness has eased off a little, so I should be able to eat and play the part I’m expected to without having to rush to the bathroom. And even though I don’t have a wedding band on my finger, just knowing I have full backing from Alex makes me feel a little stronger.

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