Page 31 of Mine to Love
I don’t understand any of this—him or his world, the reactions he elicits from my body, or the way his presence calmsmy mind. But, at this moment, I am so thankful for the twist of fate that brought us together. Because even the world of commoners has villains. But it was behind the glass door I found my knight. At least, that’s what it feels like.
As Damon appears at the altar surrounded by roses and Ana appears at the other end of the aisle with her brother and Brinkley, dressed in a gown that looks like a million shimmering diamonds, I don’t know what to do with my feelings. They don’t make sense. And, yet I don’t want to abandon them or this moment. I don’t want to escape Gio’s touch as he places his palm on my hip or his breath as it continues to dance on my skin. I want to remain in whatever fairytale this is for as long as my mind and my body will allow me to.
27
With Delilah playingwith the dogs and the other children in attendance, I head to the bar to grab Darcy and me each a drink. Bourbon for me and a custom wedding cocktail for her. The bartender pours my amber-hued beverage and mixes up a slushy, blush-pink drink for Darcy. He tops it with glitter-dusted cotton candy. It looks sickeningly sweet, and I can only imagine the conversation between Damon and Ana as they decided on it. But with both our drinks collected, I sure hope Darcy enjoys it as much as she seems to enjoy everything else.
I pause to admire her from afar. She sits, surrounded by candles and roses, in that glorious dress which hugs her heavenly curves to perfection. If I weren’t enjoying seeing her in it so much, I’d be tempted to take it off her. Or, at the very least, kill every man who's dared to look at her in it. Amongst this crowd, only two were stupid enough to gaze for an inappropriate amount of time. Most here know that such things are acts of war. I asserted my position by pulling Darcy close to me and whispering in her ear, my lips so close to her neck it appeared I was kissing her.If only.
She blushed and giggled at the funny remark I made, goosebumps dotting her arms as my breath tickled her skin. What a sight that was. She’s been glued to my side ever since. And, I’ve got to say, it’s even better than I thought it would be. For once, I’m not alone at one of these fancy shindigs. But, more importantly, I’m with her—Darcy, my beautiful angel with the glittering smile in the dimly lit darkness.
As a smile of my own lifts my lips, I bear the same rosy glow that Damon had when Ana walked down the aisle. It’s a telling sensation, a sensation I’ve never felt before. But it’s not surprising. I think I fell in love with Darcy the moment I saw her.
Just as I go to return to her, Ariana approaches, catching my attention. Normally, her presence would elicit a groan. Not because I dislike her, but because I can’t give her what she wants—answers, Alister. But, tonight, I’ve turned over a new leaf. It was me who invited her. Damon and Ana wanted to given Ariana’s role in rescuing Ana, but I forbade it. She isn’t supposed to be a part of this world. It’s the entire reason Alister is doing everything he can to abolish it as we know it. But sheisa part of this family and it’s not fair for her to be excluded as if she isn’t. I’ve made that mistake for far too long.
Setting my drinks down on a nearby high-boy table, I greet Ariana, who is dressed in a long, slinky silver number. She somehow looks different than I remember her. I guess I’m used to seeing her in all black. She’s a jeans-and-leather-jacket kind of girl. “Gio,” she says sternly.
“Ariana.” I greet her with an equal tenor. “It’s nice to see you.”
“Is it?” She asks, brows raised. “The last time we saw each other, that certainly wasn’t the case.”
Ah, another reason for my guilt. The night she helped rescue Ana, I couldn’t give Damon the scolding I intended to. He wastoo broken up over what happened to Ana, rightfully so. Perhaps I took out a little of my frustration on Ariana. “About that?—”
“Save your apologies, assuming you were going to apologize?” She cuts me off and waves her hand dismissively. I nod and shove my hands into my pockets. She has every right to be mad. Not that her normal demeanor is any less fiery and stubborn. It’s her bullheadedness that allowed her to weasel her way into Alister’s heart in the first place. But truly, they are a perfect match. He needs someone strong, because no matter what happens with the Mafia, he’s an Amato. In some sense, he’ll always face some sort of risk, as will anyone who stands beside him.
“Iwasgoing to apologize because I am sorry, Ariana. I thought I was doing what was best, given the uncertain and new territory we were facing. But I now know that I could’ve handled things better. And, I’m going to, from this point forward.” Ariana seems to soften. The tension leaves her shoulders, and she lowers her eyes with a subtle nod. “You’re a part of this family, whether or not Alister is here.”
At the mention of his name, she pops her head up. She pulls her bottom lip between her teeth and crosses her arms. I can tell she wants to ask about him. She’s only restraining herself because she knows I can’t tell her anything more than I already have. He’s alive. He’s safe. And if that changes, I’ll know. Though, as I think of Darcy and the conversations we’ve had since her unexpected arrival, I realize I can offer Ariana something more—validation and reassurance.
“He loves you, Ariana. And I know that this separation hurts him just as much as it hurts you. I know that as much as you long for him, he longs for you. And I may not know when he’ll return, but I know that when he does, he’s coming back for you.”
Ariana pinches her eyes closed and lets out a sigh. “Thank you. I needed to hear that.” When she opens her eyes, thereare tears brimming amongst her dark lashes. She quickly wipes them away and restores the stoicism she’s been forced to project her entire life. I suddenly feel sorry for her. Seeing the strength Darcy displays and the ways she breaks when she lets her guard down lets me know as strong as Ariana may appear, she’s breaking too.
“I suppose I have your date to thank for your newfound perspective and sensitivity.” She looks toward Darcy then, as do I. “Sophia loosely filled me in on the situation.”
“She’s special.” That’s all I can say to describe her. Both because words often fail me when it comes to Darcyandbecause I find Damon sitting next to her, the two of them in deep conversation. God, what is he saying to her? He wasn’t exactly friendly at their first meeting. And why isn’t he with his bride, of all people? It’s then that I notice the music playing and see Ana and Aidan dancing. Ah.
“Excuse me,” I say, leaving Ariana and our drinks as I make my way back to Darcy. I don’t know what Damon is up to, but we’ve had a far too perfect evening for his asshole self to ruin it. Wedding day be damned. It’s then that he gets up to leave. Darcy quickly heads in an opposite direction, disappearing into a room off the courtyard.
“Fuck.” I should’ve drunk my bourbon when I had the chance. My narrowed gaze follows Damon as he makes his way to the dance floor, stepping up to take Ana’s hand from Aidan. He’ll have to wait.
With my focus on Darcy,I head in the direction I last saw her. Upon entering some sort of parlor, I find an additional reason to be upset. Two of Aidan’s guards crowd Darcy. They tower overher with glares meant to intimidate her. One of them moves his lips, suggesting he’s saying something, but I’m unable to hear any words. My focus is entirely on the other guard’s hand tightly wrapped around Darcy’s arm, holding her in place. There is a ringing in my ears as rage pounds inside me. I fight through it, finding the calming sound of my heartbeat just as Darcy begins to shake with fear.
“Remove your hand, immediately. Or, so help me, I’ll cut off your fingers one by one and feed them to you as you scream.” I issue my warning with an even tone and a level gaze, burying my emotions in the deepest parts of me. It’s my strength, remaining calm in times of chaos. Though, as Darcy spins around, tears dripping down her gorgeous face, her lips quivering in fear, I find it hard to remain so. She tugs away from the man, who reluctantly lets her go. My jaw clicks and my lips part. I open my arm to her, and she immediately latches onto me, burying her face in the crook of my neck. I wrap my arms around her and nuzzle her gently, though my eyes don’t leave the two guards.
“We caught her trespassing,” one of them says. Darcy continues shaking in my arms. I can feel her lips move against my skin. She’s trying to say something, but she can’t. I swear to God. If this wasn’t my best friend’s wedding and if the ice weren’t already thin enough between me and Aidan, I’d kill these motherfuckers where they stand for causing the woman I love such distress. Even still, I might.
“She wasn’t trespassing. She’s my guest. Now, leave us.”
“But sir?—”
“You know who I am, yes?” My head tilts to the side and my gaze narrows as I cut the lucky bastard off.Lucky,because I haven’t killed him—yet. But that luck may soon run out.
“Yes, of course, sir,” the guard replies.
“Then, as I said, leave us. Or you’ll meet my less than diplomatic side and I assure you, it is equally effective.”
The two guards exchange looks and finally do as I command. I’ll have to speak with Aidan about them. They don’t have a quick enough step for my liking. Counting to three and taking a deep breath, I regain my sense of calm, at least enough to guide Darcy to one of the leather couches in front of the black-painted fireplace.
