Page 79 of Cruelest Contract
Both Getty and Fort bristle and start to edge closer, ready to eliminate any threats to the family name if necessary.
I step out from behind Julian and give a warning look to Getty and Fort before turning to my brother.
“Matthias, listen to me,” I say. “I’m marrying Julian of my own free will.”
My brother shakes his head and reaches out to grab me. “Come on, Cici. I need to talk to you alone.”
Julian immediately blocks his path. The two men exchange toxic unblinking stares.
“Whatever you have to say to me,” I tell Matthias, “you can say in front of the man I’m about to marry.”
“You ought to listen to her,” Julian says in a tone that sends chills up my spine. “Speak your peace or get out.”
Matthias sizes him up, unimpressed. “I know what you are, Tempesta. You don’t love my sister. To you, she’s just another acquisition. A brick in your fucking empire.”
Julian’s only response is menacing silence.
My brother’s words sting. And yet I’m marrying Julian with my eyes wide open. I know what I’m doing.
I place a calming hand on Julian’s arm before addressing my older brother. “Matthias, I’ve seen no sign of you in years. If you’d ever bothered to contact me then I would have beenthrilled to hear from you. But you didn’t. Now I’m no longer a child and this is my wedding day. If you’d like to stay as a guest, you are welcome to do so. Or you can leave. The choice is yours.”
Matthias’s throat bobs. Gradually, his anger softens and he turns almost sheepish as he takes a step back.
I look up to find Julian staring down at me. There’s a glint of admiration in his eyes and his hand possessively touches my lower back.
Matthias finally sighs. “Afraid I’m not exactly dressed for a wedding.”
“We’re keeping it informal. Your clothes are fine.”
I can see him wavering on the edge of a decision as he rubs his chin, considering. There might be bleak shadows on his mind of another day, another wedding. For a moment I’m sure he’ll refuse the invitation and walk out.
“I’ll stay,” Matthias says. “And I won’t cause any more trouble, Cici. You have my word.”
“I’m glad,” I tell him and Julian hugs me closer to his side.
Meanwhile, Angelo is still in the background dealing with the wreckage of his face. Naturally, Tye finds the whole thing hilarious and he’s still snickering when he steers Angelo out of the room in search of some ice. Angelo flips off Matthias as he goes but I think the two of them have called a truce in their brotherly war for now.
The original plan, which I wasn’t too crazy about anyway, was for Angelo to escort me down the aisle. It looks like he’ll be in no condition to do that. I’m still wary of Matthias and don’t want to push my luck by asking him.
“Do you think your father will do me a favor?” I ask Julian.
His eyebrows shoot up. “Of course.”
As for Cassio Tempesta, he stands alone, momentarily oblivious.
He stares up at his wife’s painting as if there’s no one else in the room at all.
15
JULIAN
Fortunato is our musical entertainment. He’s self-taught on the guitar and strums the notes ofUnchained Melodywhile we wait for the bride to appear. Fort did grumble when I ordered him to change into something nicer before the ceremony. To my youngest brother, ‘nice’ means jeans with no rips in the knees but now he looks respectable enough.
The sunroom, with a panoramic view of the ranch, doesn’t get used much anymore but I remember being in here often as a kid. It was a favorite spot of my mother’s during the freezing months when she didn’t want to let us run loose outside. The room runs half the length of the back of the house and is walled in with huge windows. At the age of five it looked enormous.
The space is reallynotenormous but suitable enough for a small wedding. Aside from us, Mel, the ranch staff and a handful of our most loyal soldiers, the only guests are Cecilia’s best friend, two of her brothers and our cousin, Nico.
Given Cecilia’s past, it was no surprise to hear she wanted a very small wedding held indoors. I told Mel to give her whatever she wants and spare no expense but Cecilia didn’t ask for much. Just a quiet family ceremony with lots of pink flowers. She hatesto travel and jumped at the prospect of staying here at the ranch for our honeymoon. The fact that she’s easily pleased is just one more reason to admire her.
