Page 83 of Where Demons Hide

Makenna has taught me that my demons don’t define me. She’s shown me there’s a quiet strength in what I do, in who I am. “You’re not a monster,” she’d told me, “There’s good in you. I see it.” She sees the beauty among the chaos.

I am thankful for my choices, even the bad ones. Because they led me to her.

Looking out among the crowd, at two empty seats on the front row where my parents would have been, I think of how far I’ve come since the last time I was here. Nonna is holding Enzo on her lap. She hasn’t let go of him since we got here. Uncle Matteo flashes a proud smile while Makenna’s mother wipes a runaway tear. Vince grabs his wife’s hand, as if remembering a day when he said his own vows. Brynn stands across from me, looking out over the water behind us, and a lone tear drops to her cheek. I take a step forward and catch it with my thumb.

“I’m going to take care of her,” I promise her.

She smiles and another tear escapes. “I know you are. And that’s why I’m crying. Because she deserves that. So much. You both do.”

The music starts and my heart stops. I swallow hard and wait. She appears from behind the walls of lattice that separate the garden from the lake, and I lose my breath. Her body is wrapped in white satin that hugs her curves from her breasts to her hips, then it fans out, like a mermaid, just above her knees, leaving a trail of elegant white fabric to follow behind her. Her shoulders are bare, and the crests of her breasts spill out from the top of her strapless gown, making me want to kiss her skin. Her long blonde hair is pulled up off her neck, only a few loose curls hanging behind her head and around her face. I’m jealous of those curls. They get to touch her neck, her back, her shoulders.

She walks with poise and grace down the aisle, smiling graciously at each guest as she passes. Those lips. Perfectly full and pink. She finally stops in front of me and I have to remind myself to breathe.

She smiles up at me, her bright blue eyes beaming.

Fuck protocol. This is my wedding.

I smile down at her then grab her ass, lifting her body against mine. I pull her into a kiss.

She squeals and pushes against my chest. “You can’t do that yet.”

I set her back down and gaze into her eyes, into her soul. “My rules, angel. If I want to put this thing on pause, take you inside and fuck you, that’s what I’ll do.”

“You can’t use the ‘F’ word during our wedding.” She’s trying to be serious, but I can see the beginnings of a smile behind her gritted teeth.

I lean in and whisper against her neck. “As soon as this is over, I’ll be using the fuck out of it.” I emphasize the wordfuck.

Brynn clears her throat. “Should I tell the videographer to stop filming? Or to zoom in? Whichever is your kink.”

Franco chuckles beside me.

Makenna looks at the minister then back at me.

Right. Man of God. Got it.

I stare at her, taking her in. God, she’s spectacular. She is strength. She is beauty.She is mine.I let go of her, then return to my appointed spot. She grins and my heart swells.

This is it.

The whispers and giggles quiet in the audience as the minister starts the ceremony. I don’t care about any of them. I only see her. Standing in front of me, reaching for my hand when he asks for our vows. Even though the sun is setting, and the breeze is floating in off the water, there’s a warmth that wraps around me when I look at her, a comfort that lets me know she is my salvation.

I take her hand and begin.

“Makenna, when I look at you, I want to be a better man. When you look at me, I believe I can be. This isn’t going to be easy. It’s going to be a fight. But every second, every minute, every scar, will be worth it. Because we did it together. You touched my soul before my hands ever touched your body. I belong to you. Every breath, every thought, every heartbeat, is yours. And I promise to love you eternally. Because one lifetime with you could never be enough.”

She inhales a sharp breath and swallows her tears. I take her cheek in my hand, and she leans into my touch.It’s okay, baby. I’m your safe place.

“Callisto, you found me when I was lost. You gave the word new meaning. You make it easy to stay lost in you—the kind of lost that feels more like being found. I promise to love you. Even when you don’t love yourself. I promise to keep you safe from the demons inside your head. I promise to be your strength when you’re busy being strong for everyone else. I promise to be yours. Body, heart, and soul. Freely, unabashedly, and completely yours. Always.”

After the vows are said and the rings are exchanged, the minister finally announces to the world what I’ve known for five years. Makenna Taylor is mine. Absolutely, unconditionally, and now legally… mine. Makenna Suppato.Mrs. Callisto Suppato.Andthatname is fucking beautiful.

* * *

Makenna

When I was a little girl, planning my perfect life with the perfect family, I’d always pictured a brick house on a hill with a white picket fence and a golden-haired dog. In this imaginary world, there were rose bushes and tea parties in sundresses. I was a third-grade teacher and my husband was a policeman. It was the perfect childhood fantasy.

Now, I’m a registered nurse, living in a penthouse loft, married to a mafia boss and the mother of his son. No dog. No tea parties. Just late nights, whispered prayers and the most beautiful baby boy in the world. I hope I can be the mother to him that Gianna was to Callisto. I hope he finds a quiet place to rest his soul when the world seems too loud. I hope he knows how very much he is loved.

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