Page 171 of A Beautiful Crime

“Quite hilarious, I was just about to ask you the same.”

His laugh is sinister. “You have no idea, Carina, but you will.”

“I don’t take threats kindly.” Not having fear is allowing me to have a spine. One I so often neglected.

And he knows it. In his eyes he can see the difference in me. Evil knows evil. Just as to take down a monster you must become one yourself.

I’ve finally become one with the darkness inside me. I’ve tasted sin and become a glutton. I’ve danced with the devil and fell in love with him.

And no man, especially Savio Fiore, will have me become fearful again.

“Only a couple of months spent with Constantine and you believe yourself someone worth to be taken seriously,” he scoffs. “I’ve never accused you of being dense but I’m finding it hard to believe otherwise.”

It burns. To know that because I am a woman he isn’t taking me seriously. I could have a gun pointed to his head and still he wouldn’t find me a threat.

The ignorance festers like an open wound.

But I have to be patient. There is a plan in motion and my emotions cannot take control.

I will relish his face when he sees his master plan and manipulations have been for naught.

A woman will be responsible for the downfall of The Fiore Famiglia.

The strikes of the chords on the organ playing the wedding march hushes the inside of the church.

Savio dons on the mask of a loving papa as he entwines his arm with my own to lead me down the aisle. I fight the urge to recoil from his touch.

The church doors open and the people in the pews rise.

And it’s foolish of me to not take in account all of the faces here. To try and discreetly spot the hidden men Savio surely has placed for when he decides to place a bullet in my soon to be husband’s head.

But the moment I step in the church the overwhelming large crowd becomes nonexistent as my eyes meet Constantine’s.

It’s impossible for him to be any handsomer than he already is, and yet as he stands proudly and eagerly awaiting my arrival he’s never been as beautiful.

My heart gallops at a frightening pace.

Excitement as well as a desperate need to be beside him floods my bloodstream.

Completely out of tempo with the march my legs have a mind of their own as I stride down the aisle. Savio, much to his dismay, tries his best with slowing me down. But to no prevail he fails.

Even through the thin white veil with a black bordered embroidery Constantine’s eyes pierce right through me.

They devour me. Promising me a night filled with wicked delights. It’s downright sinful how he’s blatantly peeling away the dress from my body with his eyes. I hear a few uncomfortable coughs from the pews but it doesn’t affect me. Nor does the scorn of Savio burn in my skull beside me.

Nothing matters but the man offering his hand to mine.

Before I can break all the customary rules Savio lifts my vail and places my hand in Constantine’s.

Clearing his throat he projects his voice for all intentionally to hear, “I’m entrusting you to take very good care of my daughter.”

It takes all of my best efforts to remain impassive. However, Constantine’s eyes dance with mischief. “I assure you, Savio, Carina has been very well cared for.” He even adds in a devilish wink to sweeten the innuendo. My lips tug in a smile as Savio silently fumes.

Savio responds with a grunt before plastering on a smile as he returns to his seat.

“Amore mia ,” Constantine beckons in a soft caress that liquifies my insides. I follow his lead as he guides me up the three steps to the altar. As we take our place opposite of one another his hand is still in mine. “You’re ravishing.”

Even with blush applied I feel the warmth spread and splash across my chest. “You’re even more handsome than the day I met you.”

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