Page 50 of Sinful Daughter (Dark Mafia Sins 2)

My spine jerks with the deep heartbreak that dances across my chest. “Don’t say that. Don’t lie to yourself.”

“Maybe it’s you who’s lying to yourself, Aria. We can’t work. I can’t switch sides like you’ve asked. It doesn’t work that way. You’re asking me to commit suicide.” He uses my words against me. “The best thing to do is forget about me.” His voice is emotionless, and his words cut into my heart like a knife.

“I’ll never be able to forget you,” I say quietly. His dead glare is like gasoline on me.

“Too bad, because I’ve already forgotten about you.” With those words, he flicks an imaginary match to my already combustible heart.

He grabs my arm. His gun moves away from me as he opens the door and pushes me out of his house. My hands catch the railing. More tears explode as I sob. My breath hitches as my crying overtakes any need to breathe.

CHAPTER 31

The day ofmy wedding is here. I’ve worn waterproof mascara to prevent the mess of my tears on my makeup. My three sisters are standing up for me. Marco has my brother and two of his own.

There’s nothing joyous about the occasion. Marco has given up trying to win me over. Looking at my sisters, I see they’re all smiling happily for me, except Katrina. She’s glaring me down, unable to forgive me for telling our father her secret.

She went through four days of crying, yelling, and shaking uncontrollably when my father locked her away in a room. Her detox hurt me as much as it did her.

Each step down the aisle brings me closer to my future. The irrational part of me wants Theo to object. I know better. We’re in a church full of mafia carrying loaded weapons. He would come five feet into the area and be killed. This day would be a bloodbath. My mind wants to run away with that idea where everyone important to me survives, and somehow Theo and I are together.Foolish hopes.

My father raises my veil and smiles when he sees I’m not crying. I’ve forced my tears to only show at night when I’m alone. I walk toward Marco, and he takes my hand. My breath comes out shakily.

Marco leans in, his lips near my ear. “You’re mine, Aria.” His voice sends a chill down my spine. Evil dances in his dark eyes.

The priest begins to talk. I hear about half of it as Marco repeats after him. Looking over to my father, I see he’s watching us intently. My lips tremble as I try to hold myself together, the reality of my future hitting me at full blast. Each vow made is another shovel of dirt into my own grave.

The room becomes silent, and I’m aware of everyone’s eyes on me. Marco tugs our linked hands, and I realize everyone is waiting for me to repeat after the priest. Each second ticks by like a lifetime, and I clear my throat.

Without warning, the entrance doors open, smashing into the walls. Theo is walking in with five cops behind him in uniform. He’s holding a piece of paper up. “Marco Caldera, you are under arrest for the trafficking of heroin.”

He’s looking handsome and in control as he strides toward Marco with purpose. He never once looks in my direction. This is the powerful Theo who I still love. The one whowon’tlove me.

Screams erupt in the church, leaders barking orders to protect their families. Guns that were concealed are now held high in the air, ready to be used.

Marco’s brothers step in front of him, bringing out their weapons. Theo doesn’t slow as he walks toward us. He looks damn sexy, all suited up in his cop uniform. I wish I could stop staring at him. I want to run to him, wrap my arms around his neck, and confess my love is still just as strong.

When Theo nears the front, he looks at my father. “He’s the one who’s been selling to Katrina.”

My sister gasps. “I love Marco, Daddy. Aria doesn’t deserve him.”

My father brings his gun out, and the safety unlatching echoes throughout the room. Women and children are ushered away, trying to escape a possible bloodbath. Glancing around at the congregation of my wedding, guns are pointed at everyone. My father holds my eye for a second as his gun is aimed at Theo. Theo and Marco both have their guns on each other. It will take one person to pull the trigger before the room is lit up with bullets. I stand at the altar, Marco and me above everyone else. By now, most of the women and children have left the church. I’m frightened to make a move. I chance a glance at Theo, seeing his neck vein is popping out. I wonder if he can feel my gaze on his skin.

Marco moves beside me, and in slow motion, I watch Theo’s finger press down on the trigger. The explosion of bullets leaving chambers echoes one after another. Marco falls to the ground at the same time as Theo. Bullets fire rapidly around the room. Jumping down to the floor, I hide behind a pew, refusing to leave Theo.

“Theo!” I call to him, and for the first time, he looks at me.

“You need to get out of here,” he demands, aiming his gun up and pressing the trigger at someone all while lying on his side. He’s out in the open. Anyone could easily shoot him. He flips onto his back and fires again.

“I’m not leaving until I know you’re safe.” I’ve been walking around, living in an empty shell of a body. It was Theo who brought me to life. I don’t want to go back to living without him.

He shakes his head. “You’re a stupid girl, Aria.” Then I watch as he takes off his protective vest. “Put this fucking on.” He tosses his bulletproof vest to me.

“You need this,” I try to argue.

His sharp jaw grinds down with my defiance. “Put it on now, Aria.”

I take the vest, slipping it on over my white dress. He crawls to me, placing his hands on my shoulders, trying to adjust it to make it fit me better. How can Theo want to protect me over his own life but not love me?

Out of nowhere, Marco’s feet appear. Looking up, I see he’s aiming his gun at Theo’s head. Without thinking, I cover Theo’s body with mine. I’m ready to die for him. I already feel dead inside with him not loving me. This is the least I can do for him.

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