Page 86 of Promise Maker

I can’t believe it’s happened.

I married Domenico Martelli.

“You may kiss your bride.”

Domenico plants a sweet kiss on my lips to thechuckles of his family.

Paolettahands usa vase when the kiss ends.

Bewildered, I twist to Domenico and ask, “What arewe supposed to do with this?”

He collects the vase from me and shatters it onthe ground.

“What the…”

“It’s an Italian tradition,” he explains, holdingme close.

The women proceed to throw petals at us as we stepover the shattered pieces and make our way from the chapel.

Stalling outside, the cameraman snaps pictures,mostly while we’re passionately kissing.

Domenico doesn’t slow his kisses the entire driveback to the house. There, he ushers me to the piazza, filled with severalstrange faces, music, food, wine, and a beautifully decorated cherry vanillawedding cake.

“Don’t feel anxious about the men and women here,”Domenico whispers to me as we approach the guests. “Our families have beenclose for generations. Father invited them out of respect and to present you asa Martelli. They’ll spread the word that will help keep you safe.”

“I understand,” I whisper back and paste on asmile for our guests.

The women air kiss me while the men offer usenvelopes, I assume with money.

Some utter kind words in Italian that Domenicodiscreetly translates without them realizing.

Once we finally have the chance to sit, it’s toastafter toast, feasting on the delicious food, cutting the cake, more toasts, andthen dancing.

As evening approaches, Domenico tows me aside foranother slow dance. Every caress, every kiss fills me with anticipation of whatwill happen later.

“Finalmente ti ho, tesoro.Non ti lascerò mai andare.”

I have no clue, but the intensity in his voice andeyes still makes me tremble.

“Should I be nervous?” I playfully ask.

A low rumble answers me before he captures mymouth for a sensual kiss, uncaring to his family and guests.

Domenico sneaks me away amid the boisterouschatter and drinking among the men.

I retrieve the duffle bag from my room and joinhim in the courtyard.

“Paolettawill move yourthings to my bedroom while we’re away,” he tells me.

“Whereare we going?” I ask as we file intothe SUV.

A menacing shadow falls over his face. “Oh,tesoro. Someplace no one will hear you scream.”

My throat tightens.

Oh shit.

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