Page 4 of Cage the Storm
“No one,” she says, and her voice shatters. “No one’s asked.”
She breaks down in sobs, and I want to scream. I want to tear through every name on the list, every arrogant bastard who thinks she’s just another pawn in this family’s game. I want to burn the whole fucking tradition to the ground.
CHAPTER FOUR
LUNA
Today’s my wedding day.Wait, scratch that, my second wedding day. The sad part? I couldn’t even tell you about the anniversary of the first. I was so numb, I felt automated. Smiling when prompted, walking when told, speaking vows I barely heard. It was like watching someone else live my life, and I let it happen because I didn’t know how to stop it.
But todays different. I’m here, fully aware, and every second feels like it’s dragging across my skin. Sophie’s been helping me get ready for hours. She loves fussing over me, but I’m agitated. I could’ve walked down the aisle in a burlap sack and not cared. She’s the only ally I’ve got in this room. And even she’s on borrowed time. She works for the Caputo family. If they decide she’s out, she’s gone. And there’s not a damn thing I could do about it.
So yeah, it pissed me off when Nicolai’s mother and sister showed up pretending to care and acting like they wanted to help. Like we were all one big happy family.
Screw them. Screw all of it.
I’m sure they couldn’t wait to run to Nicolai and squeal about my dress. Hey, he might have chosen the designer, but he told me I could pick out whatever I wanted. Hope he didn’t have hisheart set on a white dress since I’m walking down the aisle in a champagne A-line chiffon dress. It’s a gorgeous V-neck with cap sleeves, and I love it. Nora promised she would shorten it if I wanted to wear it again. It’s more practical than the white monstrosity tucked away in a box in my closet.
“Are you ready? It’s almost time,” Sophie announces. The ceremony doesn’t scare me. What terrifies me is Nicolai because if he sees through me—if he finds the truth I’ve buried—everything changes. And I don’t know if he’ll protect me or destroy me.
“Maybe if we run out the back, no one will ever know. Is the getaway vehicle ready?” Poor Sophie, sometimes she doesn’t know if I’m joking or if I mean it. This time it’s the latter.
“I know you’re scared, Luna, but Nicolai isn’t a monster. He’s better suited for you than Giovanni ever was.” She makes the sign of the cross as if speaking of the dead is going to banish her to hell. It’s at this moment that I realize how much I love Sophie. She’s been my only friend since day one. I know she gets paid very well to look after me, but I do believe she truly cares about my welfare.
“I’m not so sure about that,” I say, “but for now I’ll take your word for it.” My knees start to shake when there’s a light rap on the door. This is it. A wave of déjà vu crashes over me; it’s all too familiar. Giovanni is cold in his grave. Exactly where he’s supposed to be, but now his brother is his replacement.
I can’t help noticing the blush on Sophie’s cheeks as she opens the door and Mateo stands on the other side. He’s devilishly handsome, and I believe she has a crush on him. Granted, she’s much older, but I’m in no position to judge.
“Nicolai is waiting for you in the gardens,” he says. The gardens? Why did he forget to mention that to me when he was here last night?
“Sophie, I know I told you earlier that I wanted to walk down the aisle alone, but I’ve changed my mind. I’d love it if you gave me away.” She gets emotional when she pulls me in for a hug.
“I’d be honored, Luna.” We link arms, and I cling to her as we walk out into the hallway. In this ever-changing Caputo world, Sophie is my only constant. And right now, she’s the only one keeping me upright.
Mateo follows close behind, and when I notice all the extra security, I stop dead in my tracks.
“Is there a reason you’ve beefed up security for today?” I’m assuming it has something to do with Nicolai.
“Nothing for you to be concerned about,” Mateo says. “But for security reasons, we need all guests seated and cleared before you enter the gardens. It’s protocol.” He gestures toward the room behind me. “Wait in there until I send for you.”
“Are you kidding me?” Of course, Nicolai would do this. He wants control over everything, every step, every breath, even how I enter a damn garden. This isn’t about safety. It’s about power. About reminding me that this day, this ceremony, this version of me: it all belongs to him now.
“You’ll do whatever they ask you to do, Luna,” she says in a low voice. “Their number one priority is to keep us all safe. That’s what they pay the soldiers on this estate to do. I don’t want to scare you, but I’ve seen enough bloodshed to last me a lifetime.”
I’m so angry, but watching her face crumble is enough for me to change my mind quickly. She’s never been forthcoming about her personal life, but I’m sure if she’s been in this family as long as she claims, she’s witnessed her fair share.
We step into the small room. It’s windowless, and too elegant to feel comfortable. Sophie sits first; her eyes fixed on the door. I lower myself beside her, smoothing my dress, anything to keep my hands busy.
I hate waiting, but when the knock finally comes, I rise and hold my head high. No matter what surname I possess, I will always be a D’Angelo. It’s the blood that runs through my veins, and no matter what happens today, tomorrow, or in the future, no one can ever take that away from me.
Giovanni tried and failed, and so will Nicolai!
One down and one to go.
CHAPTER FIVE
LUNA
The Wedding
