Page 9 of The Don

“Uncle,” he says once he’s shaken my hand. “Thank you, for all of this.”

I give him nothing more than a nod before turning to wait for Storm. “Sir.” Dante approaches with the dog.

“When Eliza arrives, have the animal stay with her.” Dante’s brows furrow together. “Is there a problem?” I challenge as I silence him with a hard look.

“Not at all.” Dante stands to the side and waits for the girls.

It doesn’t take long for Dominic’s men to arrive with Rose and Eliza in the car. My focus is on the beautiful, raven-haired, blue-eyed girl who’s sitting in the back with her sister.

The car pulls up outside the church, and Orzo exits the front to open the back door and extends his hand to Eliza.

A low growl tears through me when he touches her. I walk over and offer my hand to Eliza instead. Her big blue eyes look at Orzo, then me. She pauses for a moment before taking my hand. “Eliza, you look perfect,” I say as I keep my eyes on hers.

She lowers her chin and offers me the smallest of smiles. “Thank you,” she says in a barely audible voice.

Her dress is dark blue and figure hugging, accentuating every single womanly curve. Her cheeks bloom with a delicious dusting of pink, making my cock harden in my pants. Jesus, she’s young enough to be my daughter. I can’t think of her the way I am.

“Sir,” Dante’s voice tears me out of my fantasy. I turn to look at him, and he glances toward the dog.

“Amorina, Storm is here for you.”

My girl’s eyes light up as the widest, most pure smile erupts on her angelic face. Dante points to me, then Eliza. “Pozor,” he instructs Storm.

Storm sniffs me, then Eliza and moves his body beside her. “What instruction was that?” Eliza asks.

“I told him to guard you and Mr. Sacco,” Dante responds.

“Can I pet him?”

“Hold your hand out, palm side up.” Eliza does, and Storm sniffs it. “Now you can, but he’s on duty, doing a job.”

She clutches a bouquet of flowers close to her chest and nods. Turning, she smiles brightly at Rose who’s carefully regarding her with her own happiness. “Rose, may I?” I hold my hand out for her. She passes her flowers to Eliza, Storm is laser-focused on the exchange. Rose places her slight hand in mine and elegantly transitions out of the car. I lean in and give her a kiss on the cheek. “Breathtaking,” I say as I look at Rose’s slinky white wedding dress.

“Thank you, Ruben.” She leans over and gives me a kiss on the cheek. “How’s Dominic?”

“He’s waiting for you.” I release her hand and step back.

The girls embrace. “Are you ready?” Eliza asks.

“Yeah, I think I am.”

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Although I’m not particularly fond of Eliza’s question, I understand her need to look after Rose. Especially considering the treatment she’s suffered at Adrian’s hands.

“He ain’t getting rid of me that easily,” Rose replies.

I lower my chin and snicker. Dominic is a good kid, and he deserves someone who’s good for him. And I know Rose is his perfect complement.

“Then let’s do this.” Eliza looks to me and smiles.

I head in and give the signal for the ceremony to start. I walk to the front and stand with the rest of the guests. The church is filled with men who work for me, along with their families. There are also a few other families I have associations with. Antonio DeLuca and his daughter Frankie DeLuca are standing in the second pew. Antonio gives me a curt nod and extends his hand to shake mine. “Antonio,” I say. “Frankie, stunning as always,” I say to his daughter who lifts her chin and pulls her shoulders back.

“Ruben,” she greets and raises a brow.

Frankie is every bit as brutal as her father, and I look forward to eventually working with her.

The music starts and Eliza appears at the doorway. She’s simple perfection as she makes her way down the aisle. Storm is beside her, and Eliza reaches down to feel for him. The dog gives her comfort and confidence. She walks forward and stands at the side of the altar opposite Dominic and his groomsmen. Everyone turns to see Rose walking in, but I can’t tear my eyes away from Eliza.

She catches me staring at her and offers me the smallest of smiles before lowering her chin to look at her flowers. I don’t know what it is about Eliza, but I feel protective of her.

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