Page 89 of The Veiling

“Go hang out with the guys before you sleep. The girls and I are going to do a few things before bed.”

“Okay.” I reluctantly agreed. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” She followed Tanya out of the room and shut the door.

I sat on the edge of the bed, somewhat angry I would not get to sleep next to her that night. Having had too many drinks at dinner, I laid back, staring at the ceiling. I tried to force myself to sit back up, but I could not bring myself to. At some point, I drifted off to sleep.

“Did you really think I was dead?” I heard a voice come from the doorway.

Eyes wide, I shot up, staring down the man I assumed was deceased. “How the fuck did you get into my parent’s house, and how the fuck are you not dead?!” I sprang off the bed, ready to assault Felipe as he charged at me.

He swung at my face, connecting his fist to my eye. I jabbed him twice, causing him to fall to the floor. His head rolled back and forth as he fell unconscious. I straddled him, shaking him, slamming his head into the hardwood over and over again. He became conscious once again. A smug grin emerged on his face as blood pooled beneath him.

“You’ll never be rid of me,” he warned through his gurgling throat. “I’ll always haunt you and her. You’ll be miserable for the rest of your lives. Did you think you could kill me and none of my men would ever carry on my plan?” He sat up, pushing me off him. “Fuck you, Valentino! Te mato!” He swung, hitting me in the throat.

Choking, I fell backwards, striking the back of my head on the wooden bed post. He stood over me, dripping his bloody saliva on my face. I turned my head back and forth, trying to avoid the liquid. “I’m coming for both of you.”

“Valentino?”

My eyes shot open, and I sat up. “What?!”Fuck. It was only a nightmare.

“Bro,” Marco ran his hand through his hair, “did you not even change clothes last night?”

“Last night?” I patted my jacket then checked my watch. “Merda.” My gaze trailed down to the same attire I had on the night before. I had not even taken my shoes off. “I must have passed out.”

“No shit.” William slapped my shoulder. “A great start to your wedding day.”

Mr. & Mrs. Greco

When I came to New York, I was a confused and damaged woman just trying to make a life for myself. Any life. Anything to get away from my previous life. I never ran from it. I just knew I deserved better than the hand I was dealt. So, I chose to change things instead of wallowing in my past.

My childhood was stolen from me while I traveled the world with a drug lord, constantly lying to teachers, telling everyone he was my father until I got up the nerve to speak the truth. Felipe was my uncle, only by blood. Never by choice.

Now, I sat in a brown leather armchair, donning my wedding dress. I stared out the window at the perfectly manicured lawn with cream, navy blue, and gold décor leading to the beach. The ocean backdrop off the shore was hypnotizing. I watched the waves curling in the distance.

The past replayed in my head like a movie. My life was chosen for me. There was, however, one choice I made that changed the entire course of my life, molding my future into what it had become today.

Laughing to myself, I thought back to the moment I freaked out when I heard my name called for the first time at the masquerade. It was really not funny, but looking back, it might have somehow been the most sickeningly romantic thing a man had ever done for me. Well, it was the only thing up until that point.

The thought of wanting to murder Tanya when I did not know she had helped made me snicker out loud. She put all her trust in William and Valentino, to keep their word even when she did not know the whole reasoning behind any of it. She only wanted me safe and made her decision with that in mind.

The games Valentino played with me, which he became terrible at, only fueled my desire to be with him. The way his piercing blue eyes focused on me the night we met and the smile he flashed me the morning I ran into him had me hooked. Today, I was about to walk down the aisle to marry that man.

KNOCK. KNOCK.

Rapidly blinking my eyes, I bit back a grin. “Come in!”

Noah pushed the door open. “Are you almost ready?”

I stood, sighing with a smile. “Yeah. I just asked everyone for some alone time so I could gather my thoughts.”

He smiled, throwing his arms out to the side. “Well, you look awesome as fuck.”

I curtseyed playfully. “Thank you.” My eyes pooled with tears. Pursing my lips, I exhaled slowly as I fanned my face frantically.

“Hey,” Noah dashed over to a box of tissues, yanking two out, then handed them to me. “Are you having second thoughts? Do I need to fight someone?”

“No.” I shook my head, snickering through my tears. “Just wishing my parents were here.” I huffed. “Ugh, I can’t ruin my makeup. Waterproof makeup can still only survive through but so much.”

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