Page 16 of Curse of the Bride Assassin

He hands me a handkerchief and I cry even harder. I would be fated to the kind of guy who still uses them. I feel like I hit the jackpot. He holds me in his arms, and rubs my upper back, right over the cutout in the dress. His cold skin is weirdly soothing.

“If you want a bigger wedding later with your folks and family, we can do that. But even with my uncle dead, I still want to marry you—whether it’s required or not. I want you by my side.”

“I want to be by your side, but I’m in this assassin’s guild thing and I still want to work for my parents. They’re both non negotiable.” Mostly because the guild is for life. I don’t think I can leave, and I don’t want to.

“I would never make you stop doing something you loved. However, I may ask to use your services for free. Your banshee wail is the coolest way to kill someone.”

“I’m sure we can work out a deal.” The clock on the wall chimes eleven. “We’re going to be late.”

He lets go of me, then takes my hand again, gesturing to the door with his free hand. “After you, future wife.”

“Thanks, future husband,”I say around a laugh as he follows me out the door.

7

VINCENZO

Ipaid an event-planning company an exorbitant amount of money to decorate my family’s mausoleum in upstate New York, where generations of Contis have been married. Vampires traditionally get married in a mausoleum or cemetery. Some go to ancient sites in Europe, while others, like my family, choose local or family locations. Our mausoleum is an architectural dream come true, with vaulted ceilings and marble columns. Although vampires are immortal, they can still be destroyed. A fate much more painful than a regular death. All it takes is a mortal wound with a silver weapon, like a dagger, bullet, or stake in our line or work and you’re done. This crypt is where such Conti vampires are laid to rest after such events.

The symbolism of a wedding–what many consider a new chapter in life–beginning in a place that symbolizes death is the kind of dramatics vampires are known for. Iloveit. And so does Delilah, judging by the awe-struck, wide-eyed expression on her face.

When I described vampire wedding customs to Suzie, our bubbly event coordinator, during our phone call early this morning, she called itspooky wedding chic. Those were theexact words she used. I wasn’t sure her vision would measure up, but I was pleasantly surprised when Delilah and I arrived. There are black, white, and red flower arrangements on either side of the altar. Hundreds of various sized lighted candles sat on every available surface, providing beautiful mood lighting. It was simple, but beautiful. Just like my future wife.

A tall man who appears to be middle-aged walks through the open stone double doors.

“Mr. Barbieri, thank you for officiating for us, as is Conti tradition.” I shake his hand, and he smiles back at me.

At one thousand years old, Frank Barbieri is the oldest vampire in New York and a long-standing ally ofla famiglia. He’s conducted wedding ceremonies for every man in the family, and I wanted to continue the tradition for Delilah and me. She’s the beginning of my new life—the cornerstone of the family I want to create with her. My partner in crime. She’ll help me usher in a new era of the Conti mafia, the strongest one yet.

“I wouldn’t miss this for the world. You chose a lovely bride, and you’ll build a good life together.” He looks around the mausoleum, probably for guests. “Do you want to wait for guests, or should we begin?”

“It’s just us, Mr. Barbieri. We can get started. Let’s keep this short, okay?” I want Mario to attack us, but I don’t want to give him too much time. The quicker we get this over with, the better.

He nods, closing his book of ceremonies. “In the interest of keeping this short, we are gathered here today to recognize the union of Vincenzo Conti to Delilah Sangre. Do you, Vincenzo, take Delilah to be your wife? To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, for your immortal life?”

“Yes, I do,” I answer, my heart swelling with happiness. I know I’ll get through the shitstorm that’s about to happen with Delilah by my side.

“And do you, Delilah, take Vincenzo to be your husband? To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, for your immortal life?”

“Yes,” she says, appearing ethereal in the glow of the candle light. A tear runs down her cheek as she smiles at me. I can feel my mate’s happiness.

“Excuse me, Frank,” a familiar voice rings through the mausoleum. “But you slipped the beginning part of the ceremony. I object to this Union.”

My uncle entered through the back entrance we purposely left unguarded.He’s so predictable.Some of his traitor followers walk through the front door, and they close ranks to trap us in here.

“Wedding crashing is considered impolite, Uncle.” I do the math, and count four men in tow. Not bad odds at all.

“So is plotting against your nephew, who is the rightful heir to the Conti empire. That’s an offense I’ll punish with death,” I growl.

“Your threat means nothing,” he spits. His men reach into their jacket pockets, producing compact crossbows. They’re loaded with silver tipped arrows.

“Oh it’s not a threat. I promise that I’ll destroy you and every last traitor who supports you. Then I’ll take back my empire, and my wife and I will take it to the next level.”

“Yeah about that wife of yours…do you know who she is?” Mario muses. “She’s the daughter of two of the deadliest assassins in the world. One of which is chained up somewhere only I know the location to.”

“For now…” Delilah corrects him. She’s calm and collected, not a hint of worry on her face.

“I’ll never tell you where she is. You’ll leave the world without seeing her again. It’s sad, really.” My uncle's bright white fangspoke over his lips as he laughs. It’s an unhinged sound that reverberates off the marble walls.

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