Page 30 of Savage Vows

Conversation flows around me, and when there’s a lull, Gina asks, “How are the wedding plans coming along?”

The heat of Matteo’s gaze is on me, and I flush. “Uh …” I stammer.

“I see he got you a ring,” Dario says.

The ridiculously large oval-cut diamond winks in the light.

“Beautiful,” Gina observes. Then she tells him, “You did well.”

He scowls. It’s too big for my tastes. But Matteo wanted something three carats or bigger. After a small argument in which the jewelry store clerk excused himself for a moment, this was the only one we could agree on.

“I’ve been expecting you to let me know the date of the wedding,” Raffaele states.

I’ve done my best to stall those decisions. Instead I’ve kept things vague, looking at flowers online, reading articles about what’s trending. Pretending I care.

“You’ll be the first to know when my fiancée and I have made a decision. Probably around the first part of next week,” Matteo responds smoothly. “Alessia has been getting settled. The journey was long, and it’s a big adjustment for her.”

I blink, hardly able to believe that he has offered his support in front of his family.

“No more than three months, Matteo,” Raffaele warns his son, but he includes me in his cold, calculated glance.

“That sounds reasonable,” Matteo assures his father.

“We can always have a small ceremony next week,” Raffaele goes on. “Just the two families.”

Frantic, I panic. “As Matteo says, we’ll have a decision soon.” My breath is rushed, the words tumbling over each other.

“There are so many details. It can be overwhelming,” Bella says, voice soothing as she redirects the conversation. “Have you even thought about a venue yet?”

I place my fork on my plate. I should have anticipated all these questions, but I hadn’t.

“We’re still in negotiations,” Matteo answers.

“I’d like to get married in New Orleans.” I lift one shoulder.

Matteo clamps his hand on my knee, hard. I drink in a breath and try not to wince.

“I’ve managed to convince her we’ll be married locally. Haven’t I, Alessia?”

Keenly aware of everyone staring at us, I force a half smile.

“I’m happy to help you with the planning, if you want,” Bella offers, once more soothing over the awkward silence. “I know an excellent coordinator, and she should be able to help you with all the details, including the venue.”

“That would be nice. My lie makes the words hollow. “Thank you.”

Fortunately the conversation moves on, and I’m lost in my own thoughts, not eating.

When Gina stands to help clear the table, I offer to help. Anything to escape these overwhelming men and the tension in the room.

In the kitchen, Bella and I load the dishwasher while Gina fills the coffee maker. While it’s brewing, she asks for a better look at my ring.

“Whichever one of you picked it has good taste,” she approves. “The stone is beautiful.”

“It was a compromise,” I admit.

“Awhat?”Bella laughs softly. “Moretti men aren’t capable of that.” I glance at her impressive ring. It has a square-cut diamond, surrounded by four other smaller ones. “It’s bigger than I’m comfortable with.”

“And he won the battle?”

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