escapes and rolls down her flustered cheek. She nods, throwing herself into my arms, almost knocking me on my ass. “Of course, I will.”
I nod at the balloon guy and he hands me the red balloon. He pulls out a pin, popping it. Pink confetti flutters around us and Gia laughs. I take the string and hold it before her. On the end is a new tear-drop diamond ring, at least that’s what the sales lady called it; but either way, it’s not the same as the one I got Hannah. She gasps. “You got me a new ring?”
“Only the best,” I say, kissing her.
“Are we done with the circus now?” asks Vinn, dryly. I know he’s secretly impressed. I nod, and one by one, my guests leave. The restaurant manager takes the flowers for us.
“Please, join us,” says Vinn, glaring at me with annoyance. “Fuck’s sake, Gia, next time just invite him.”
She laughs and we both take a seat. “Gia, are you free on Friday? I’d love to marry you then if you’re not busy?”
She kisses me on the cheek. “Friday is perfect.”
“Good. I’m glad that’s settled. I’ll let the families know,” says Vinn.
GIA
A plain white dress that's a mix of silk and lace that touches the floor. Low cut to show just enough cleavage but not too much. Pinched in at the waist with pearl button details running down the back of the dress. I stare at myself in the floor-length mirror. I don’t look like me. I look beautiful. Frankie and my mum stand either side of me. “You look amazing,” says Mum.
“Stunning,” agrees Frankie.
“Just one last thing,” says Eva, bringing over my tiara. She places it on my head. “Perfect.”
Butterflies have been buzzing around my stomach since the second I woke up this morning. Today, I am marrying Azure Rossi. I take a deep breath. Today, I marry the man I love.
BLU
“What if she doesn’t turn up?” asks Blade, biting a piece of liquorice.
“Where did you get that from?” I ask, pointing to the red stick. He gives me a sheepish look. “Aww, man, tell me you didn’t go to that sweet shop again?”
“I like the liquorice,” he says, shrugging.
“Blade, you can’t go in there. Stay the fuck away from Cobra’s daughter.”
“I am,” he says innocently. “I just get my liquorice and go.”
“Go somewhere else, brother. She’s not our problem.”
Riggs joins us, handing me a whiskey. “Ready for this?” he asks. I nod, throwing the drink back in one go. “Nervous?”
I smile, shaking my head. “No. Not one bit.”
GIA
We opted out of the church after last week's disaster. We had the clubhouse done up nice. I knew some people. It doesn't look like the same main room. Gone are the couches and drab walls. Instead, white sheets hang down with twinkling lights. Rows of white chairs line each side of our make-shift aisle with huge lilac ribbons tied to the back of each one. I smile, watching Blu and Blade talking with the vicar. Vinn holds out his arm and I hook my hand around it. “You ready?” he asks. I nod. “Cos I can get you out of here if you wanna back out?” he jokes.
“I’m ready,” I say.
Music begins to play and I take a deep breath. We begin our slow walk towards where Blu stands tall. He doesn’t take his eyes off me. Behind me, I can hear the kids whispering. To make things fair, we asked Ziggy to walk the girls down the aisle so he didn’t feel left out. I glance back. He looks cute in his little suit with Molly on one arm and Malia on the other.
Everyone’s eyes are on me. The families arrived last night and their beady eyes follow my every step. I despise them being here. They want what Vinn has and I’m their ticket in, me and Blu. But now isn’t the time to think of them.
I reach Blu. He and Vinn shake hands. Vinn kisses each of my cheeks and then takes his seat so the ceremony can begin.
My feet hurt. The heels I chose were pretty but not practical. I flick them off and take a seat, grabbing my foot and rubbing it, groaning in pleasure. “Want some help with that, Mrs Rossi?” asks Blu, crouching down and taking my foot. I throw my head back and moan with pleasure. Blu sniggers. “You keep making them noises, baby, and we’ll be leaving for a short break,” he warns.
The DJ makes an announcement, asking for the bride and groom to go to the dancefloor for our first dance. I frown, confused. In all the rush, we hadn’t chosen a song. “I sorted it,” says Blu, taking my hand. I stop to put my shoes on, but Blu tugs me behind him. “Barefoot,” he says.
Music begins and I break out into a smile. Thomas Rhett’s “Look What God Gave Her” plays out. “I heard you tell Eva that it was the perfect wedding song and yet no one ever picks it,” says Blu, holding my hand above my head and spinning me under his arm.
I fall against his chest and look up into his blue eyes. “I love you,” I say.
“I love you too, Gia. More than you’ll ever know.”
I rest my head against his chest and allow myself to relax. All these mafia families in one room puts me on edge. I guess it’s the life we’ll be living from this day forward. Blu’s gonna try and live both lives—biker and mafia prince. It could work. The MC life makes him happy, and if I’m honest, it’s the kind of life I’ve become used to by just hanging out with the girls here. But duty looms and deep down, I know that life will grip him more. It’ll pull him in and keep a hold over him. Cobra and Ricardo might be gone but there will be another enemy, another battle we have to fight, but I guess as long as we’re together, it doesn’t matter. I’ve got his back and he’s got mine. We’ll make it work. We have to, because saving Blu is my priority from this moment forward.
The End.