Page 286 of Merciless Desires

She reached into the bag and passed me the soft ivory envelope with my nickname written across the front in scratchy handwriting.

Amorina

Pulling open the envelope, I smiled down at the letter from Matteo, hoping his words wouldn’t make me cry. Just like Gisella, I also didn’t want to ruin my makeup.

Amorina,

I can’t wait to marry you.

In just a few hours, you will be Mrs. Marcella Cortese, and I will be the happiest motherfucker on this goddamn planet.

All because of you.

When I first saw you enter my home with your papà, my heart stopped beating. But when you looked up at me, the power of your curious gaze slammed against my chest, restarting my heart so it only beat for you.

I knew that even if you didn’t agree with how our relationship started, I would do everything I could to show you just how I was willing to try for you. I’m not perfect, but you make me feel like I am.

Every wrong I’ve ever made feels right because they brought me you.

I will worship you until my last breath. You have all of me, amorina. I am yours.

I hope Mamma has given you your something old and borrowed, and your something new. Now all that’s left is your something blue.

You will find it with your papà, where he will be waiting to walk you down the aisle and give you to me. I hope this is what you need to make your wedding day perfect.

For me…all I need is you.

I love you, and I can’t wait to see you in your dress.

Don’t laugh if I cry.

Yours,

Matteo

I tilted my head back, trying to will myself not to cry when I finished his letter.

“Che cazzo,” I muttered, chuckling as a tear rolled down my cheek. “Damn him.”

Gisella reached for the letter, scanning through it. “I hope he cries. That will be so funny.”

“I wanna see!” Annabella yelled, reaching for Gisella’s arm.

Gisella crouched and read the note to our youngest sister, skipping over the curse words.

Mamma Cortese grabbed both of my hands and squeezed them tightly, her eyes sparkling with new tears.

“I’m so happy to have you joining our family, cara. I can’t wait to call you my figlia.” She leaned forward and pressed a kiss to each of my cheeks.

“Thank you, Mamma Cortese.”

I watched her leave the room, then turned to look at myself in the mirror. The dress was perfect, the jewelry perfect, my makeup perfect, and it felt like there was no possible way this wedding could be any less than perfect.

“Are you ready?” Alessia asked, appearing behind me.

I smiled at her in the mirror. “Yes.”

The capo wives left the room first. Annabella reached for my left hand, and Gisella my right. The three of us pushed into the hallway and started descending the stairs to the Capitale’s grand hall.

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