Page 19 of Reign of Hope

“We have a fresh start here. I can prove myself, and Leo says I’m doing well. But are you happy?” he asks.

I tilt my head, confused. Happiness has eluded me for years. I don’t even think about it anymore. There are days when I catch myself smiling in the moment, and I guess that’s happiness. I don’t even think in those terms anymore. I think about survival. It’s been that way since our father made us pariahs. I’ve mastered the art of smiling, especially in front of our mother. Then, when she left us, I kept up the charade for Vic.

I guess I’m taking too long to answer because Victorio says, “If you’re not, we can make a run for it. You’ve given up so much for me, and if this isn’t what you want, we’ll leave,” he says, adding, “Right now.”

The thought of leaving Zano is like a knife to my heart. Zano and I have found some quiet moments during the last few weeks, and the more we talk, the closer we’ve become. He’s never hidden the truth from me, and we both vowed that no matter what happens, we will never lie to one another. After all, Dad lied to all of us and look how that ended. Does marriage scare me? Hell yeah! Does being part ofNostra Casaterrify me? Even more! But would I leave Zano behind? No, I won’t. I’ve come to care for Zano and his family.

“We’re staying, Victorio. Zano and I vowed to make this work together, and I won’t go back on my word. He’s being good to me, and I’m seeing this through,” I tell him. I’ve never had time for men. From the time Vic, Mom, and I were on our own, my job was to hold us all together as a family. I found a job, came home, and helped Mom as much as I could. Yet, I’m not a stranger to good-looking men. At the salon, we catered to both men and women. Melissa runs a high-end business, and the men who came in were business types. Several clients flirted with me, but I played innocent and brushed it off.

It’s different with Zano, though. Whenever he’s around, I find myself staring. It’s not that he’s hotter than any man I’ve ever laid eyes on. It’s much more. He asks about my day, and he truly listens. Zano talks about his childhood and asks me about mine, even about my father. He showed me his mother’s photo albums, and baby Zano was the cutest baby ever. I have no pictures to show him, and if there’s anything I regret, it’s not having prepared to leave in a hurry. If I had, our family pictures would have been one of the few items I would have taken with us.

There have been times when I really thought Zano would finally kiss me. I would feel his fingers brush over my arm or skim the back of the sofa when he put his arm around me. His lips have touched my cheek, my forehead, and even the corner of my mouth. Whispery, featherlight kisses that made my belly flip.

My brother interrupts my thoughts. “Ready?”

I take a deep breath, smoothing down the front of my dress, then link my arm with my brother’s. “Ready,” I reply, plastering a smile on my face.

Sebastian is waiting outside the door. “All good?” he asks, searching our faces.

“Never better,” I tell him.

Sebastian gives me his famous grin and leads us to where Elena is waiting for us, with Dante next to her. I guess after today’s drama, he’s not leaving her alone, even for a minute. Dante walks down the aisle, glancing back over his shoulder to check on his wife.

The music begins, and Elena makes her way down the aisle. Then Victorio and I begin our walk down to Zano, who is waiting for us with his brother by his side. He looks handsome in his black tux, with a lilac rose in his lapel. Despite the insanity that got us to this point, Zano looks completely composed.

“Who gives this woman in marriage?” the priest asks.

In a clear voice, Victorio says, “I do.”

Zano approaches, takes my hand in his, and leads us to the front of the altar. I feel like I’m in a trance. I barely grasp the words the priest is saying, but hold tighter to Zano’s hand.

Elio steps forward with the rings to have them blessed, then takes a step back, palm open for me to take the ring from him and place it on Zano’s finger.

“I, Allegra, take you, Zano, as my husband. To love, honor, and cherish, till death do us part,” I repeat after Father Franco. My voice never falters, and I look directly into Zano’s eyes.

Zano holds my gaze and says those exact words back to me. Although the church is filled with people, I see only my husband. The priest gives his final blessing, then says, “You may now kiss your bride.”

I want to stop this moment in time as his hand cups my cheek, his lips slowly descending to cover mine. His soft, warm lips leave what would be considered a chaste kiss on my lips. However, I feel a tingle running through me from head to toe. When he finally lifts his head, I find myself breathless, and my legs are like jelly. If it weren’t for his steady hand at my waist, I swear I would swoon.

Elena plops the bouquet back into my hands, and Zano and I walk back up the aisle, stopping to acknowledge our capo, then Zano’s parents, out of respect. I regain composure and manage a smile and a nod before letting Zano lead me away.

We’re swarmed by well-wishers as we gather at the front of the church. Reno and Anna approach us, and I can see that Reno is on high alert as he scans the area with a protective arm around his wife’s waist.

Sebastian, stoically standing guard, takes a second to kiss his wife before Dante takes Elena and Olivia into his waiting SUV. Leo walks over with his wife, Lucia. Lucia gives me a big hug.

“You look stunning,” she says.

“Thank you,” I reply, unable to stop my cheeks from heating up. I’m not accustomed to this much attention.

“Hello, Mrs. Conte,” Victorio greets her with a smile.

“Don’t you look handsome today,” Lucia tells him. Victorio jerks his head to Leo, almost in fear. Leo chuckles.

“You clean up nice,” Leo affirms. “But, I’d rather not be standing out in the open.” This is directed more to Reno, who nods.

“Agreed. Dante’s not letting Elena out of his sight. I’m going to ask you to accompany Zano and Allegra to the restaurant. Victorio will ride with us,” he commands.

“I’m sorry—” I begin to apologize again, but Reno lifts his hand to stop me.

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