Page 1 of Claimed By The Devil

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THE WISE GUYS PASSION

DANNY

The church is packed with black-suited wise guys and their wives wearing too much makeup and gaudy dresses. The Capos all have pot bellies so big that their bulletproof vests are showing under their dress shirts. That’s something that doesn’t fly with my crew. When they walk into a room, I want them to be large and intimidating just like me.

The organ starts playing, and everyone stands to watch the bridal party come down the aisle.

“You believe Bobby Vito’s getting married again?” Jimmy asks me.

Bobby Vito is the boss of what, until this week, was our one and only rival gang in the State. Last week, we might have been staking out this wedding so we could put a bullet in him, but the market is changing and there’s a new player in town.

We need to join forces to bring down our common enemy. So, here I am with my most trusted associates breaking bread at the wedding of my enemy.

Lost in thought about my meeting with Bobby later, I’m pulled back to reality when Jimmy says, “Hot damn, where did she come from?”

I look just in time to see a ravenous beauty with long, dark hair and a perfectly sculpted body walk by. She’s the maid of honor, and when she stands at the altar, she looks like a work of fine art that’s surrounded by finger paintings.

“Who is she?” I ask, knowing that Jimmy did all the Intel on the wedding party.

“That must be Deirdre Vito. She’s Bobby’s illegitimate daughter,” Jimmy replies.

“Illegitimate? That’s a big word for you,” I rib him.

“That’s what they call it when you have a baby out of wedlock, right? Rumor is that her mother was a maid or something,” he explains.

I understand Jimmy’s reaction when he sees her. It’s not just her stellar looks that make her stand out here. There’s a sort of innocence about her that you don’t ever find in this kind of crowd. Even the daughters of men in the business have a harder edge to them. It just comes with the territory.

The priest starts speaking, but I can’t hear a word. The only thing that I can hear is the conversation that I’m going to have with Deirdre Vito the first chance that I get. I should also thank the bride for picking out tight, low-cut dresses that show off all of this girl's best features. She’s almost small enough to fit in my pocket, but that didn’t stop nature from gifting her with big tits and a perfect round ass.

The ceremony ends and my eyes burn holes in her flesh as she walks back down the aisle. She’s looking down at the floor as she approaches, but when she gets to the row in front of me, she looks up and stares me right in the eyes. I dig my fingers into the pew in front of me as my pulse quickens.

She holds my gaze for just a moment then shoots me a bashful smile and continues out the door. I’m the guy that people avoid making eye contact with. When it does happen, all I can see in their eyes is fear.

There was no fear in Deirdre’s eyes. She was looking for a connection. Maybe she needs someone to protect her from this unpredictable world that we live in. That smile seals the deal. I’m going to be the one who protects her. I just need to be careful not to let my violent reputation and scarred face scare her way.

We pull up to the reception hall, and I’m already scanning the crowd for Deirdre. Bobby Vito and I have to talk business tonight, and I want to make my move before things get serious. Jimmy gets out of the car and checks for any suspicious activity then gives me the “all clear” sign.

I get out and we walk in together. We get the occasional sideways look from some of the rival family members, but they’re on their best behavior. None of them would dare spill blood at Bobby Vito’s wedding.

Deirdre is posing for pictures with the rest of the wedding party, and I see that I’m not the only one who’s watching. With her looks, she can’t help but cause a stir, and I wonder how many times she’s had to fight off unwanted advances from this tactless bunch of criminals. My fists clench instinctively when I think about it.

“I found our table, Danny. What are you still doing out here?” Jimmy asks. I didn’t even hear him approach me and that’s dangerous.

“I’m coming. The sooner this thing gets rolling, the sooner we can have our sit down, “ I tell him.

On my way through the door, I take a final look at Deirdre and stop in my tracks when I see that she’s looking right back at me. Her eyes flutter and she flashes that same little grin. This time, there’s a rumble in my pants when I see it. Boy, this little girl has got me good already.

Jimmy and I take our seats at the table, and he pours us each a glass of red wine. I take it, but it will probably be my only one. I’m not here for the party. This is supposed to be purely business. The wedding party returns from their photo shoot, and Deirdre goes to take her seat at the bride’s table.

Her new stepmother turns to look at her and rolls her eyes. She says something to her that sends my girl running out of the ballroom and into the back hall. Her wicked stepmother just provided me with a golden opportunity.

“I gotta go find the head,” I tell Jimmy and slip out into the hall, but I don’t see her anywhere, deducing that she must have run to the lady’s room. There is a bench under a window on the other side of the hall so I take a seat and wait for her to come out.

She walks out of the ladies' room and jumps a little when she sees me. Her eyes are red, and though she retouched her makeup, it’s obvious that she was crying. My heart aches for her, and I have to fight back the urge to wrap my arms around her and tell her that I won’t let anyone hurt her again.

“Are you okay?” I ask, looking her square in the face.

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