Page 132 of Made to Sin

She pursed her lips, eyes darting between mine for the second time. I didn’t know what she was searching for, but, for the first time, I bared all my emotions to her. My fears of someone harming her, my fears of someone taking her away, my fears of losing something as important as she was to me.

After what felt like an eternity, she softly whispered, “Promise?”

The reminder of the last time I couldn’t promise her something struck my chest. I didn’t care if it was out of my capabilities, I wasn’t letting her go again.

“Promise,” I stated with a finality that came from the bottom of my heart.

Reluctance passed through her eyes, but she blinked it away as if she was preparing to jump into the deep end. It didn’t matter if she wasn’t as far into this as I was, her willingness to take the plunge and try was enough for me.

“In that case, I would love to be your wife,” she said, finally putting me out of the miserable limbo of rejection.

Hearing the words from her mouth sent a heady rush through my body. My heart leaped from its cavity, jumping for joy at the fact that she would love to be my wife.

I placed the ring on her hand and engulfed her in a tight embrace. To end it with a bang, I sent a discreet signal to my captain, and fireworks shot up into the night sky behind us.

At the explosion of sparkles, she pushed off me and went to lean over the railing for a better view.

“Luciano, look!”

I came up behind her, holding her tiny frame in my arms, as we watched the colorful bursts together. Never in my twenty-nine years of living had I ever experienced as much happiness as I did now, and it was all because of her.

Possessive flames gathered in my veins as I realized there was nothing I wouldn’t do for Katarina. Impossible as it was, if this woman wanted me to bring her the stars in the night sky, I would find a way.

“PLEASETELLMESOMEONEWILLwrite a book about you guys,” was the first thing Emily said when I asked her to be the Maid of Honor at my wedding.

I laughed at her ridiculousness but admired how she predicted it. Maybe having some optimism in life wasn’t such a bad thing. My past stole that from me, but this was my chance at a fresh start.

It was a clear November morning, the birds were chirping and the sky glowed its sunny rays. Today was finally the day I became Mrs. Katarina Beneveti.

Well, it was supposed to be next weekend, but Luciano didn’t want to wait anymore. I had already chosen the important parts, like my dress and the cake flavor, so the rest was sent off to a team of advanced wedding planners.

Honestly, I didn’t care what we did as long as he was happy. If it were up to me, I would have been fine eloping on the yacht. But because he was the Beneveti don and had never married before, it was a big deal for his family. How could I say no?

Italians and their traditions were not to be reckoned with. Luckily, the presentation of sheets wasn’t required in this decade.

“Do I look okay?” I asked my small bride’s circle.

When I said small, I meant it consisted of Maria as my fill-in mom, Emily as my Maid of Honor, Ha-Jin as another bridesmaid, and, waiting outside, Arnold as my fill-in father. I also invited Tori, but it was understandable she wasn’t ready to face such a large crowd.

The rest of my bridal party were Luciano’s cousins who would be coming later because, embarrassingly, I didn’t have enough friends or family to stand in.

“You never looked more beautiful,meu bem,” Maria complimented, sniffing into her tissue.

“The prettiest bride I’ve ever seen,” Ha-Jin quipped.

I blushed. “Thank you, guys.”

I held my wedding dress and spun like it was a princess gown. No, if I was marrying the king of theCosa Nostra,I was going to look like a queen.

At least that was what I told myself to justify the price tag of the flamboyant dress. The top was a fully jeweled corset that had a Queen Anne neckline, and the bottom consisted of free-flowing layers of tulle with gemstones within every sheet. I knew it was the dress the second I laid eyes on it.

I debated accessorizing with the necklace Luciano gifted me, but he ended up surprising me with Mamma’s cleaned set last night. The emeralds sparkled fiercely as if Mamma was there with me, and the decision was easy. Her simple pendant rested on my chest, and the matching studs adorned my ears.

I wished you were here, Mamma. I miss you so much.

A few tears leaked down my face, but I blinked rapidly to keep the tears at bay. Today was the day for happy thoughts, and if I was going to cry, it was going to be when I became Mrs. Beneveti.

“No crying!” Emily scolded and ran over with a tissue.

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