Page 57 of Did My Heart Love Till Now?

“Me too,” he gave my hand two, quick squeezes, “and I promise one day we will.”

The organ began to play, and I said a quick prayer as we walked toward the altar with Nick trailing closely behind. The priest stood stone-faced waiting for us to approach. As we came to a stop in front of the wide marble steps. I spun to Nick and threw my arms around his neck, hugging him tightly.

“Are you sure you're okay with this?” I hissed.

“I am,” he bowed his head then turned toward Gavino and smirked, “and not just because it will piss—”

The priest cleared his throat.

Nick lifted his hand. “Sorry, sorry.” He rolled his eyes. “And not just because it willangerour dad.”

Gavino gnawed the inside of his cheek, fighting back a smile. He and Nick exchanged approving nods. Then, Gavino grabbed my hand, holding it tightly as he gazed down at me.

I love you. He mouthed, winking.

I love you too. I could not contain my happiness as a wide grin covered my face.

We spun toward the priest.

“Are we ready?” He opened a bible.

We nodded simultaneously.

SLAM!

Suddenly, the sound of a large wooden door slamming caused us to all jump and turn toward the back of the cathedral. Gavino shrugged me away as he and Nick drew their guns at once, aiming them toward the back of the church. Joey and a man appeared in view at the back of the aisle and Gavino immediately groaned.

They marched toward us. Joey held his arms out to the side, showing they were unarmed. Gavino lowered his pistol. Nick followed sluggishly and they tucked their weapons away.

Joey crossed his arms, glaring at the three of us before he glowered at Gavino. “You were actually going to get married without your best friend present?”

Gavino shrugged. “I didn't think you'd support this step.”

He scoffed. “I support you no matter what. I’ll stand by every decision you make if it makes you happy.”

Gavino offered a single nod. He turned his attention to the tense man who I had never met. “And what about you?”

The stranger respired as he flashed his eyes at me quickly. “Your fathers are going to both shit their fucki—”

“Do you people not understand this is a holy place?” The priest snapped.

Nick drew his gun and extended his arm instantaneously, aiming point blank at the priest’s forehead. “And do you not understand what I'm capable of?!”

“NICK!” I barked.

The priest seemed unbothered by Nick's outburst and simply opened his bible once again, never breaking eye contact. Nick rolled his tongue over his bottom lip and shoved his firearm back in his waistband.

“Can I please fu— get married now?!” Gavino snapped.

“I don't know where this is going,” the strange man cleared his throat, “and I don't know what will happen when this backfires because we all know it will.” Gavino opened his mouth to speak but the man cut him off. “HOWEVER, I took an oath that my boss is always right. That means, no matter what, I have your back, always.” He glared at Nick. “You and I have a lot to discuss later.”

Nick rolled his eyes. “Good to see you again, too. Looks like your face healed poorly.”

“Now that we're all friends,” the priest leaned closer to everyone, with a sarcastic smile, “may we begin?”

Gavino and I glanced at one another, grinning. He took my hand in his once again and we offered the priest our full attention. We said our vows. Nick, Joey, and even the man I did not know all looked on with a genuine smile, but the truth was we were all equally nervous for what would be waiting for all of us when we returned to the city.

Throughout the ceremony, I could not stop looking at my new husband. The scent of his cologne swirled through my mind as it collided with my senses. The fresh yet sharp aroma combined with my euphoric high made me feel weak in the knees. His freshly pressed, expensive suit gave him the appearance of authority. In the short time I had known him he had matured decades forward into the man he was today.

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