Page 36 of His to Keep
“You’re right.” Taking the opportunity to lighten the somber mood, I grin. “It is your fault. Try to be clearer in future.”
Gio laughs. “Are you trying to get another spanking?”
“Maybe later.” I pick up a pot of lip gloss and open it. “Right now, I have a wedding to get ready for.”
“Does that mean you’re okay with marrying me?”
“No, but it means I’ll stop fighting it and give us a chance.”
Gio searches my face for a moment. I’m not sure what he’s looking for, but his decisive nod tells me he found it. Getting to his feet, he bends to place a kiss on the top of my head. Thankfully, he doesn’t mess up the hard work Rosalia put into styling it.
“I’ll send Rosalia in to help you get dressed. We’re all set up on the terrace. She knows the way.”
He leaves and mere seconds later, Rosalia enters. She goes to the bed, where she draped my wedding gown earlier, still in the white garment bag it came in.
“Close your eyes,” she says excitedly.
I do as she asks and sit there for what feels like an eternity listening to the rustling of fabric.
“Okay, open.”
The minute I do, my jaw drops. “Is that…” Tears well up in my eyes as I struggle for words. I can’t believe what I’m seeing. My heart pounds so fast I’m amazed I don’t keel over. I take several calming breaths, getting myself under control. “Is that my mother’s dress?”
It’s not the one she wore for the wedding ceremony, but the less ostentatious but equally beautiful gown she had for the party afterward. I always preferred this simpler style.
“It’s a replica,” Rosalia says. “SignoreVolante had it made for you.” She bites her bottom lip. “Do you not like it?”
“I love it. I’m just… I mean… how?”
Rosalia laughs at my sudden inability to form a coherent sentence. I have no idea how Gio pulled this off, but I am soincredibly touched that he did. It shows a thoughtful side to him I didn’t know he possessed. I get up from my seat at the dressing table.
“Help me put it on?”
“Of course.”
Rosalia helps me to put the dress on over my head and then zips me up. The lace and satin gown is gorgeous with its low neckline and full skirt. The fit is slightly loose, but the length is perfect. I’m going to have to find a creative way to show my gratitude later.
The shoes Rosalia places on the floor for me to step into are a bit plain. They’re white satin pumps with a low heel. They’re not really my style, but they fit well and that’s the most important thing. I don’t want to end up with blisters.
“Are you ready?” Rosalia asks.
“I guess so.”
We head downstairs, where we’re met by Lorenzo. Gone is the casual look he wore earlier and in its place is a standard Mafia uniform of black suit, white shirt, and black tie. His unruly hair is slicked back, and he looks much more dangerous than he did earlier.
“Bellissima!” He greets me with apparent approval. “My cousin is a lucky man. May I accompany you to the altar?”
“There’s an altar?”
“Of course there is.” Lorenzo turns his attention to Rosalia, who’s discreetly edging away. “Where are you going? Come, you must join us.”
Rosalia grimaces and waves her hand up and down her body. “I’m not dressed.”
“Your outfit is fine,” I assure her. The jeans and floral blouse she’s wearing might not be traditional wedding attire, but I’m not going to let her slink off and miss the ceremony when she put in so much effort to make me look good. “Please, Rosalia.”
She smiles broadly and rushes off ahead of us to join whoever else is here. Lorenzo offers me his arm and I loop mine through it.
“You know,” he says as we walk along the carpeted hallway and into a large sitting room with French windows that are thrown wide, “it’s not too late for you to elope with me.”
