Page 144 of Poison Vows

A quick glance around to most people shows the evident mirage of fury, resentment, calculation, and barely endured outrage while Angel’s mother looks on with horror, while her other daughter looks like she wet herself with the fear in her eyes.

The murderous aura reaches its boiling point when my wife and I come to a stop in front of the old man and he clears his throat.

Without a word, Angelo is the first to move. He walks up to my wife and me, bows his head, looking very respectfully, and says, “Congratulations, Alessio. May your marriage be blessed and beautiful always.”

I can feel Angel’s shock beside me, but there’s still more to happen now that we’re married.

Giovanni also stands up and respectfully bows his head as well and congratulates us. “You make a beautiful pair.”

My wife tenses beside me, so I step forward and then to my left so she’s behind me.

“Thank you, Giovanni. That means a lot coming from you, especially.”

To his credit, he’s aware that he’s time is up, but still acting blasé. It’s a unique skill.

Emilio and Vaughn also step forward and bow their heads, but I don’t miss the defiance they’re both trying to hide as they offer their congratulations.

“Thank you, Uncle,” I say politely, looking past him to his younger brother. “I’ll be sure to take care of you.”

Emilio looks up at me with a tight smile, but I ignore him and focus on his son, who’s staring at my wife a little too long for my liking.

“Ivy, I?—”

“Cousin, are the sixty-five men you positioned around my residence still waiting to take my life?”

“What did you just say?” Grandfather demands, which makes Vaughn jump. “Vaughn, are you starting a coup?”

“Grandpa, calm down,” I say passively. “Your ass-kissing grandson would never have the balls. His fake father, on the other hand…”

Vaughn’s nostrils flare but I don’t give a damn. I need to get my wife somewhere safe and sound before I get into this bloody war.

“Grandpa, please, my wife needs to rest.”

I don’t miss the way Vaughn’s jaw clenches, but I’m more attuned to the way my wife’s hand flexes within mine when I say that.

Scarlet is the only one that congratulates my wife and I cheerfully.

Like a gleeful teenager, she rushes like a tide to hug my wife. I have to clear my throat to make her move. She does so with a smirk, then she bows her head in my direction and moves away.

Soon after, men all dressed in black, pour into the dilapidated garden from all directions.

All of them are core members of the Outfit. They all come in noiselessly, in their hundreds, and then they stand before my wife and me.

Like a single unit, they get on one knee, then a resounding “Congratulations” reverberates through the garden, shaking the room with a severity that makes my wife jump. I squeeze her hand gently, so she knows I’m here and that nothing and no one will harm her.

Ripley wheels Grandfather to my right side, facing the kneeling men.

“Tonight, my rightful and only heir, my oldest grandson, has married. As I have decreed and is the tradition of our Family laws, Alessio is now the head of this Family. You all have seen his unmatched work all his life. He will no doubt take this Family to even greater heights than our ancestors.”

His voice is strong, firm, and cold.

“I won’t waste time reminding you of loyalty as you all have demonstrated it countless times, or else you wouldn’t be here. Now, serve him well. All your lives, your future, as well as your very breath, are now in Alessio’s hands.”

Another shocking cheer sounds from the men.

Then a silver tray is brought up to the old man by Ripley with a familiar box I’ve seen all my life and loathed for just as long.

Grandfather picks up the box and opens it, revealing a ring I’ll toss into the Hudson soon.

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