Page 75 of King

My heart is so happy I could scream and sing and dance.

Upstairs in my old bedroom I am tucked away where Giovanni can’t accidentally see me - it’s bad luck for a groom to see his bride in her wedding dress before the right moment.

I’m already dressed. I’m wearing the style that he chose for me, a very similar cut to the dress I wore at our engagement party. Thin straps and a low dipping front, the back is scandalous low, and hints of white lace tease the eye all over my body. The dress is made of pure white silk. Hand stitched into the lace and flaring over the long, flowing skirt, crystals and diamonds sparkle when I move.

Its exquisite.

I have three girls fussing over me, doing my hair and make-up and spraying a beautiful fine mist of perfume on my skin. One of the girls gently clips an oversized, diamond tiara into my hair.

If ever I felt like a queen -

A knock on the door draws our attention.

Giovanni’s voice carries through.

“My love?—”

I stand up and wave the girls away from me, lifting the front of my dazzling, crystal covered white silk dress, I walk to the closed door.

“Giovanni, you can’t come in - you can’t see me.”

“I know, but this - this is important.” He sounds terrible. My heart sinks. What could be so important that he would risk breaking tradition.

My heart flips when I open the door to let him in.

His mouth drops open at the sight of me. The satisfaction and happiness that floods me almost makes me cry.

And he looks incredible. He’s wearing a black suit and a white shirt. Every inch of him is perfect. From his carefully styled shortcut beard, to his hair, to the way his clothes fit snuggly over his muscular physique.

Damn - my man is the sexiest person on this planet.

“Oh my fuck.” He mutters, taking a step back. He rubs his hand over his square jaw and shakes his head. “I knew you would be too beautiful to put into words - but Zina - I can hardly breathe.”

My smile is so wide it aches against my cheeks. I reach out and pull him into the room, turning to the girls who have been helping me get ready - “Please give us some privacy.” I demand.

They hurry out.

Giovanni walks in and paces slowly up and down. He rubs his hand over the back of his neck.

“What’s going on?” I ask, realizing how bad it is - whatever it is. It’s hard to shake him, especially on a day like today when we have so many reasons to be happy.

Giovanni lets out a long, stressful groans before he speaks.

“Firstly, Santino is refusing to attend the wedding.” He sighs in frustration, but then waves his hand through the air as though that’s the least of his worries.

“I’m sorry, Giovanni. Did you talk to him? What did he say?”

“I spoke to him, but Zina, that doesn’t matter. He is man enough to make his own choices. It doesn’t change anything. Something else has happened and I don’t know what to do?—”

I walk over to him and grab his waist, turning him to face me so that he stops pacing up and down.

“Talk to me. We’ll figure it out together.” I say, searching his eyes.

“The security alarm was triggered when the servants carried a gift in. One that got delivered by courier.”

“Why would an alarm trigger?” my brows knot in confusion.

“Because it’s a bomb.” He says sternly.

---