after scanning over him in the lavish ebony tux. He’s spoiled enough, I’d bet on it costing close to the amount of my gown. The mob has made him an extraordinarily rich henchman. I’m not surprised his loyalty is so fierce, it’s obviously cost a lot to buy it.
His bright eyes peer all the way into my soul it seems. The intensity makes me swallow, my throat seemingly dry suddenly. His dirty blond locks glisten underneath the well-lit hallway LEDs, and I can’t help but notice how different we are in appearance. We’re opposites in every sense of the word, even in our clothes today. I’m dark to his light, I’m curvy to his cut, I’m short to his tall…yet we seem to have stubbornness in spades between the both of us. He’s so damn sexy all made up in solid black, that I want to lock my thighs around his throat and choke him. He’s controlling all right, but I’ve always held my own life in the palm of my hand. It won’t be changing with the addition of his last name being added to mine.
“Mm,” he hums, his gaze taking me in slowly. It’s a caress I can feel all the way down to my toes. Eventually, he holds his palm up to me and I place mine in his. His stride is wide, powerful, and full of purpose. I nearly jog to keep up, yet you’d never know because I pull it off flawlessly with my long gown. I probably look like I’m floating alongside the dominate presence next to me. He’s a chump if he believes I’ll ever look a fool at his side. He may stare below at me due to his height, but I still manage to look down my nose his way.
Father Robert goes through with the traditional ceremony, per my parents’ request. Before I know it, I’m a married woman. I wish I could claim being linked to Max doesn’t make me feel any differently, but that’s not true. He places his lips on mine and the next glance I take of him, standing shoulder to shoulder, I feel stronger. Not only am I a princess of the Five Famiglias, but I’m also wife to Maximillian Macintosh, the Joker’s henchman. When people look at me, they won’t see a weak woman stuck in the Mafia lifestyle; they’ll regard me as a powerful bitch with a lot of people at my back.
I’m Ismerlda Castelano Macintosh, and I’m here to take my rightful place—a powerful one.
It’s a bit difficult to keep my eyes off Ismerlda, as she’s a vision. However, whether this is my wedding or not, I have business to take care of. I nod the moment I root out Sammi Morelli amongst the room full of guests. Dante and I’d agreed it’d be a simple way for me to acknowledge the prick without tipping Morelli off. The daft fucker is none the wiser and pays far too much attention to the hired escort at his side. He’s gotten lax in his ways, used to being the most powerful bloke in the room. That’s no longer the case with Thaddaeus and Dante in the building as well, and he’ll soon be the wiser.
Dante meets my stare, slipping farther into the hallway while his younger brother remains. Not as many people are familiar with the younger Vendetti faces and wouldn’t realize if they were standing next to them or not. Dante and his older brothers are another story altogether, as they’ve been feared across the country from the debts they’ve collected and the lives they’ve taken. Their ways could keep up with mine, and I don’t admit as much too easily.
“You’re handling business at our wedding, aren’t you?” Ismerlda quietly asks from beside me, accusation lacing her tone. She’s perceptive, both a positive and negative trait in this life.
“You have family and friends here. Surely, you must want to visit with them?” I suggest and watch those gorgeous dark eyes of hers roll with irritation. I find it amusing, but keep the thought to myself. She’s always offering up so much emotion, I wonder if she realizes it.
“You’re unbelievable. I swear this better not be a bloody wedding. I will never forgive you for it if you traumatize my nonna.”
“You’re safe, darling. Always,” I reply absently, keeping Sammi in my peripheral vision. I can’t lose him. He’s too important to Joker, and that means something to me.
“Why don’t I go speak to Mr. Morelli