Page 37 of Snake's Head

All of her words echoed inside my head. My hatred and anger for Gino boiled in my veins. I knew if I spoke, I would lose control. I knew I could hurt her, and I didn’t want to do that, not like this.

I gritted my teeth and said, “We need to go back.”

Chapter 13

Luciana

I looked at my reflection in the mirror, still thinking if I did the right thing last night. Maybe I should have just let my father’s plans crumble. Maybe nothing bad would have happened.

I didn’t trust my dad to give up so fast, though. He would find a way to use the situation anyhow. I could not trust him. Valerio was easier to trust.

He actually had power. He could stand against my father. I could not do that, especially while he was holding Elsie against me. I needed reinforcement. I knew Valerio could somehow help me. He seemed like he wanted to help me with every problem I had. So I took a chance.

I was still not sure if I had done the right thing, though.

Valerio just took me back home last night. Our car ride was in total silence. He didn’t even say goodbye to me. He just stayed silent, looking ready to murder someone. I was not sure if it was good or bad.

“Luce!” my mother’s voice finally made me turn my attention away from the mirror.

“Yes?”

“I asked if you are ready,” she asked with a small smile. “You look gorgeous.”

I wanted to believe my mother had no idea about my father's plans because she looked way too happy about the wedding. “I am ready.”

My hair and make-up were done, and I was already in my dress. I was presentable for the guests. However, I didn’t know if I was ready to face everything. I was not ready to see Valerio again.

I told him not to marry me if he was going to start a war. Maybe he was not going to show up and embarrass me. Although that would be enough for my dad to start a war, and I could probably live a little longer. It would not be the worst thing, but I couldn’t find it in me to want that.

I knew it was possible, though. He could also say no. That would also be embarrassing. Maybe he would just start shooting everyone at the wedding. That would be a great way to start a war.

After all, I had no idea what he was going to do.

“We should get going then,” my mother said.

I nodded tensely.

One of my cousins, who was my bridesmaid, had a sinister smile. “Aren’t we going to give Luciana advice about tonight?”

My sister Anna laughed. “Like she needs it.”

I could have punched her if I was not so nervous. Instead, I got up and said, “At least I know my husband is not going to need a mistress.”

Anna got a furious look at my words, and my other bridesmaids tried to hide their smiles. My mother looked disappointed. Honestly, I didn’t give a shit. I just left the room. I had a wedding to go through. I was scared, but there was no running away. I had to face Valerio.

If he would show up, of course.

I tried to mentally prepare myself for the situation. I kept reminding myself that Valerio was a good man by Cosa Nostra's standards. I repeated that he had never once tried to hurt me. He always seemed eager to make me happy. Of course, I was not worth a war, but maybe he would make a decision that would help both of us. He was more powerful than I was, after all.

I was almost relaxing with those thoughts, but then I reached my destination and came face to face with my smiling father. He looked like a father happy for his daughter’s union, but I knew his smile was because he had almost reached his goal. He was joyful about my death.

I wanted to puke.

“Ready, Princess?” he asked with an ugly leer.

“Don’t fucking call me that asshole,” I said with a low murmur. His eyes widened with surprise and turned into anger soon enough. I didn’t care at all. I had nothing left to lose.

My father gritted his teeth, but his smile returned anyways. “I wish I could be the one to kill you, bitch.”

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