mistakes, Capizola,” my father grunted. “It’s what makes us human.”
“Thank you.” His lips pursed as if the words pained him. And maybe they did. You didn’t just bury a century's worth of bad blood.
“You protected my daughter where I couldn’t,” Roberto went on. “And you saved my life. I will be forever in your debt.”
My father regarded him. “That girl is special, and I will treat her as if she is one of my own. But it will never change the fact that she is Capizola.” He held out his hand. “I am willing to work for a better future. The future our forefathers wanted us to have.”
Roberto stared at my father’s hand as if it was contagious. But after a beat, he took it. “To the future.” They shared a long look before Arianne’s father blinked as if he couldn’t believe what had just happened.
“Excuse me, I need to find my wife before she embarrasses herself.”
“That was unexpected,” I said to my father as Roberto walked away.
“He’s finally realized some things are more important than business.” He laid a hand on my shoulder and squeezed. “I’m proud of you, Niccolò. Of the boy you were and the man you’ll become.”
And with that, he walked away.
“So how does it feel then?” Matteo asked me sometime later when the party was in full swing.
I dragged my eyes away from Arianne. “Huh?”
“Being hitched?”
“Fucking amazing,” I said around a grin.
“Jesus, you’re whipped.” Enzo dropped down into a chair with another glass of liquor. As the night went on, his mood had become increasingly dark. I suspected it had something to do with the fact Nora had spent the last hour dancing with Dane.
“She won’t go there,” I said. “He’s still in high school.”
“I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about,” he grumbled.
“No? So you won’t care that he’s making a mov—”
His head snapped over to the dance floor, murder in his eyes. Matteo bellowed with laughter. “Oh, man. You have it bad.”
“Fuck off. I don’t even like her. She’s... annoying.”
“You just need to get her out of your system.” Matteo smirked.
But there was something in Enzo’s eyes. Something that looked a lot like fear.
“Whatever you do, don’t screw her over. She’s Arianne’s best friend.”
“You can rest easy,” he grumbled. “I’m not going there.”
“Good to know.” I fought a knowing smile.
“Are you worried Fascini might show his face again?” He changed the subject.
“I’m not unworried. But our friends down at the local PD have an APB out on him and we’ve got our guys on it too. He’d be a fool to try anything.”
But he was always there, lurking in the back of my mind. Arianne had taken his disappearance better than I anticipated. But if I wasn’t with her, Luis and Jay were. We had eyes on her at all times, and they had eyes on them. That motherfucker wouldn’t get within ten feet of her without me knowing.
“Don’t let that piece of shit ruin your day. You’re married, man.” Matteo raised his glass at me. “It’s a good day.”
He was right. It was a good day.
The best day of my life.
As if she heard my thoughts, Arianne found me across the dance floor and crooked her finger.
“I think your bride wants a dance,” Matteo chuckled. “Go get her, tiger.”
I undid my cuffs and pushed my sleeves up.
“Oh shit, he means business,” Enzo teased and I flipped him off.
The circle of women parted as I made my way towards them. We’d already had our first dance but that was before the drinks had flowed. I wasn’t worried about Allegra’s steely gaze now, unlike earlier when she’d been dead set on giving us the perfectly timed day. The celebration was well under way and I wanted nothing more than to pull Arianne into my arms and claim her in front of everyone.
Which is exactly what I did.
Our lips met in a passionate kiss as I held her body flush to mine.
“Hi,” she breathed, breaking away to look at me.
“Hi yourself.” I leaned over her, kissing her again.
“Nicco, everyone is watching.”
“Let them watch. You’re mine now, Bambolina. Ti amerò per sempre, fino alla morte.” She slid her hands up my chest as I twirled us around to the music. “Have you enjoyed your day?”
Arianne’s lips curved. “It has been perfect.”
“Allegra did us proud.” I ran my nose over hers. I couldn’t get enough of her.
My attraction to Arianne had always been intense, but when I’d seen her appear down the aisle, it was like