of me whispers.
“Cut me some slack, would ya? I had four days––”
“I already told you it’s nice.” I clear my throat and shove my bitchy self down before digging deep for the softer, more real version of myself that I keep hidden from people. “It’s pretty perfect, actually. Thank you, Jack.”
He smiles. “You’re welcome.”
Our feet crunch along the gravel scattered between the large gray stones until we reach the grassy front landscaping beneath twinkling lights where the priest is waiting.
“Buongiorno,” he greets us.
“Buongiorno,” I return, taking in his thick Italian accent like a warm glass of milk.
“Bianca, this is Father Lorenzo. He’ll be performing the ceremony today,” Jack introduces us.
I lift my chin in acknowledgment, but stay silent.
This is…too real. Too perfect. Too fake for the life that lies ahead of us. Because if everything goes according to plan, I’ll be riding off into the sunset––alone––before my brother even has a chance to testify against Reed for Jack. He’ll be screwed in a way that’s unforgivable. And it’ll be my fault. But that’s what I wanted, wasn’t it?
“Pleasure to meet you,” Father Lorenzo says. “Will you be saying your own vows during the ceremony?”
Jack turns to me, but I shake my head back and forth.
With a reassuring smile tossed my way, he answers for both of us. “I think we’d like to go the more traditional route and just…have you take the lead. Is that okay?”
“Of course. Of course. Short and simple, I presume?”
“I think that would be best,” I reply.
“Perfetto. As previously discussed, my wife will stand in as the witness, sì?”
“Sì,” Jack answers Father Lorenzo. “Thank you.”
“Of course. Let us begin. Please take your fiancée’s hand,” he orders Jack. Looking as cool as a freaking cucumber, Jack laces our fingers together before rubbing his thumb along the back of my hand. It’s such a small gesture but acts like a soothing balm to my frazzled nerves while reminding me, once again, that he’s unlike anyone I’ve ever met.
“Do you, Jack Connelly, take this woman, Bianca Marie Castello, to be your wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto you pledge your faith?”
His gaze holds mine as he brings my hand to his lips. There isn’t love in his eyes. It’s too early for that. But there’s a kindness in it that causes a lump to form in my throat. An affection that I never dreamed I’d deserve.
Hell, I still don’t deserve it, yet he’s giving it to me anyway.
“Yes,” Jack answers with conviction.
Father Lorenzo nods. “And do you, Bianca Castello, take this man, Jack Connelly, to be your wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto you pledge your faith?”
My heart is pounding in my chest as the truth hits harder than a sledgehammer. If I say yes, I’ll be tied to this man in a way that I never really thought would happen. Not for someone like me. And especially not to a guy like him. A guy who has dedicated his entire life to better the world, while I’ve spent mine to better myself and my own personal circumstances. I’ve broken laws. Witnessed unthinkable crimes. And gotten my hands dirty more times than I can count.
If I were a better person, I’d say no. I’d leave this man alone. Hell, I’d run in the opposite direction. But if I did, I’d have to go back to whoring myself out to make a dime. I’d have to prance around naked or on the arm of men who flood my mouth with bile before swallowing it back and asking for more. And the thought of doing any of those things again…it cripples me.
I guess it’s a good thing I’m still the selfish whore my father and brother––hell, even Burlone––always expected me to be.
But it’s more than that. It’s the temptation of a brighter future. And maybe even a selfless one if I could find the courage to stand up to my brother and become the woman Jack thinks I’m capable of.
Even though my heart could rival a hummingbird’s wings, I give him the same confident smile I’ve perfected over the years, and