Page 6 of His Violent Vow

Eve took Kat’s hands in hers.“Kat, I know this isn’t the most ideal situation—” Eve began but Kat interrupted.

“Eve, I’m walking to my doom,” Kat said in a furious voice.“I’m marrying a monster. A killer.”

Eve winced.“I know. I’m in the same boat. My father told me he has three men in mind for me. Complete strangers. Sorry, I know today’s not about me,” Eve said. She let go of Kat and lifted Kat’s veil. After pinning the veil, Eve brushed away the tears that had gathered in Kat’s eyes.

Kat suddenly felt like a bitch. She knew Eve had done her best to cheer her up the night before.

“You’re strong, Kat. You can do this. Just endure today and during your honeymoon, tell him you have rules,” she said firmly.

“Rules?” Kat asked.

“Lines he can’t cross,” Eve said.“Advice my mother gave me.”

“Thank you, Eve. I don’t think I would’ve been able to survive today without you,” Kat said. They hugged but soon enough, a knock came on her door. They parted. One of her father’s men waited outside.

“The car’s ready. The Don already went ahead,” the man said.

“Fine. Eve?” Kat asked in a shaky voice. Her best friend gave her hand a squeeze.

“I’ll be right beside you the entire time,” Eve said.

“By the way, the bridesmaid dress looks great on you,” Kat said.

The two of them laughed. In moments, Kat and Eve were in the car. Time passed in a haze. Suddenly, Kat was stepping out of the car and looking up at the small church Angelo had chosen.

Apparently, his parents were married here so the place was sentimental to him. Kat didn’t think her fiancé possessed a single sentimental bone in his body. She was quickly ushered inside. Everything happened quickly after that.

Someone played the organ beautifully and the procession started. The doors leading inside the church were opened. Every pew was filled but Kat forced herself to look forward. She didn’t recognize half the guests and being aware of them would only make her even more nervous.

Her father stepped forward to offer his arm. Aldo Marino flashed her a tight smile. He gave her arm a squeeze.“You look beautiful, Kat,” he whispered.

Kat tightened her grip on his arm as they neared the priest, the altar, and the man wearing a well-tailored suit. She thought she would suddenly freeze up and ruin the entire wedding but to her surprise, she kept walking.

Kat suddenly wanted to look upon the face of her father’s most hated enemy. Eve was right. She could do this. There was no escaping her fate, but Kat still had some say in the matter. Eve told her to establish rules, lines her husband could not cross, and Kat had every intention of taking her friend’s advice to heart.

Her father soon left her side and Kat was left standing with her fiancé. She couldn’t see his features properly through the veil but something about him felt familiar. The priest started speaking. Before Kat could figure out the answer, Angelo lifted the veil.

Her heart thudded painfully. Kat was stunned into momentary silence as she gazed upon the very same man she slept with the night before. Cole turned out to be Angelo Vitale. The cocky bastard flashed her a knowing and predatory smile.

She clenched her gloved hands by her sides. All Kat wanted to do was punch the smug jerk in the face. She didn’t remember raising her fists. Angelo caught her hands. The priest cleared his throat.

“Keep going,” Angelo said. He curved his lips into a cruel smile.“Hello again, Kat.”

****

Kat glared at him during the entire wedding ceremony. Angelo wasn’t too surprised. After all, he lied about his identity the night before and deceived her. However, Kat couldn’t stay mad at him forever. When the priest told them to say their vows to each other, Angelo was almost afraid Kat would suddenly declare she didn’t want to continue this farce.

In the end, she straightened her back.“I, Katherine Ann Marino, take you, Angelo Vitale, to be my husband. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life.”

Kat said her vows without emotion, like she was reading a script. Angelo didn’t feel the least bit disappointed. When Aldo Marino proposed this alliance, Angelo had seen it as a profitable business decision. Finding out Kat was no boring wallflower had been a bonus.

Angelo said his own vows. Kat trembled as the priest said,“You may kiss the bride.”

Angelo tugged her close. Kat let out a breath. Angelo leaned in close and kissed her. He half expected her to shove him away or slap him. He felt her entire body tense. She dug her gloved fingers into his shoulders, then kissed him back with unexpected ferocity. Cheers and whistles erupted from the pews. Angelo didn’t care who was watching.

“You bastard,” she whispered under her breath as he pulled away. She might hate his guts right now, but the chemistry between them still burned bright and true. Angelo smirked at that knowledge.

“Don’t expend any unnecessary energy staying mad at me, dear wife. We have a long night ahead of us,” Angelo whispered in her ear.

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