Page 76 of Angelo's Vengeance

"Norris!" I called out, darting around Angelo's brownstone in a silk robe printed with black-and-white stripes and tiny embroidered hearts. "My gloves! Have you seen my gloves?” The gloves with the pearl skullbuttons! The gloves that took me a week and a ruined manicure to finish!

Norris, unfazed, looked up from his task of carefully arranging trays of lavender macarons and dark chocolate tartlets shaped like playing cards. "Check under the cat."

We didn’t even have a cat. But therewasa suspiciously lumped throw blanket on the chaise in my studio. I flung it back to find my gloves nestled there like misbehaving children, clearly moved by no one but my absent-minded self.

Crisis averted. I pressed them to my chest and exhaled dramatically. “Ok, we’re in the clear. We may proceed.”

My wedding day. Mywedding night. It still felt like I was starring in a very elaborate fever dream—one where I’d fallen in love with the brooding don of the Santelli mafia, gotten engaged in his fortress of a bedroom, and was now preparing to marry him in a gothic garden wonderland.

Was it too on-the-nose that I’d chosen an Alice in Wonderland-esque/Through the Looking Glass theme? Probably. Did I care? Absolutely not.

The small garden had been transformed for the evening ceremony, with the massive weeping willow serving as the ceremony’s centerpiece. We had to expand slightly into the former parking area and convert it into a chessboard, which increased our square footage; however, everything worked seamlessly. Antique mirrors hung from the trees, mismatched velvet chairs were provided for guests, tables were shaped like oversized playing cards, and candelabras perched on top of them. Fairy lights and canopies would drape over everything, making it look even more magical. Guests were invited to wear themed masks if they chose to.

I’d gone full Theo. No regrets.

I stood before the full-length mirror as Frankie zipped me into my gown.

“You look like a haunted porcelain doll,” she said with genuine admiration.

“I was going for ‘Victorian ghost who murdered her husband on their honeymoon and still haunts the grounds in couture.’”

“Well, nailed it,” Frankie said, drily.

My dress was custom—obviously. It featured layers of sheer black tulle embroidered with crimson roses, tiny hidden thorns, a high collar, and fitted sleeves. My veil wascathedral-length, scattered with hand-sewn pearls. I wore the gloves, of course.

I’d even made gowns for Frankie and Cora, unique and whimsical, that matched their personalities and the theme. Both were simpler versions of mine, with lower cuts and shorter sleeves, but full tulle skirts. Frankie’s had the Alice theme—a deeper blue with a white sash and puffed sleeves that looked innocent. I’d embroidered white rabbits throughout. Cora’s dress was in shades of emerald green, featuring a deep V-neck bodice that matched her eyes, and was embroidered with tiny caterpillars that made her laugh. Luckily, one of the machines Angelo had purchased for my new business space was a commercial embroidery machine. It had taken a few online tutorials and a visit from a representative to get the basics down, but it had made some magic happen.

“You nervous?” Cora asked, holding baby Vasily on her hip as he gurgled and tried to eat the edge of her chiffon shawl.

I paused, heart thudding. “No. Just… It’s a big day, and he’s not just any man. He’sAngelo.”

“You mean the man who stares at you likehe wants to fight the Devil himself?” Cora smirked. “Who looks like he’s about to ravish you any second?”

I flushed. “Yes. That one.” The one who had ravished me this morning, driving into me until we collapsed onto the sheets, sated and happy.

The bridal suite door opened, and Maxim stepped in, flanked by Ilias and Conall. “They’re ready,” he said, accentuating the wolf in his smile. Maxim cradled Vasily protectively in one arm, holding him comfortably as if it were just another Tuesday.

Ilias offered me his arm. “You look amazing. In the best possible way.” He had been stressed over the last few weeks, and I could see the lines around his eyes. He had been spending all his time and considerable resources trying to locate Galena without success, which was driving him crazy. Today, he was trying to put it aside, but we were all concerned for him and hoping Galena was alright.

Smiling at him, I said, “Coming from you, that’s a compliment I’ll cherish forever.” He didn’t miss the sarcasm.

We filed out. The garden hummed withsoft music,“Turning Page”by Sleeping At Last.Valentino Cardoni sat in the second row, his young daughter asleep against his shoulder. Remo gave me a wink and muttered, “You’re gonna give my brother a damn heart attack.”

Perfect. Everything looked gorgeous. Well, almost perfect. I had hoped my sister could be here. Polina had finals, and Ilias had forbidden it despite the tears we’d both shed. He was being an overbearing ass about the whole thing. Not about her having to stay for finals — if it had just been over that, I would have set a new date, but about her not being around our ‘lifestyle.’ If he wasn’t careful, Polina was going to full-on revolt. However, family drama would have to wait. Tightening my hold on Ilias’s arm, I set my sights on the aisle in front of me.

Angelo stood at the end of the garden path, beneath a wrought-iron arch blooming with blood-red roses. He wore a black-on-black three-piece suit. His eyes, those soul-punching eyes, were locked on mine like he’d been waiting his whole life for me.

I walked towards him and everything else disappeared. We had intended to keep theceremony brief, but each of us had something small we wanted to share. Angelo took my hand as if he were claiming it forever. The judge that Angelo had wrangled into being our officiant looked slightly uncomfortable, but rambled through the ceremony while we watched each other.

When it came time for our additions, Angelo added gently, “I vow to build you a world that is safe. That’s ours. No matter the cost. To love you deeply as you deserve. To honor you and our children. To never let any harm come to you, and to strike down our enemies.”

The judge looked at him askance, and I wondered if it had been wise to bring him here to witness Angelo vowing to potentially commit crimes even if it made my panties wet.

My voice trembled only once. “And I vow to be your chaos, your calm, your home. I vow to love you unconditionally as you are. To take you, Angelo Santelli, as my husband.”

When the judge pronounced us man and wife, we kissed to thunderous applause.

The reception was just as I envisioned. Kostas and Vaso reenacted our childhooddances with an embarrassing flair. My brothers gave toasts that made me smile.

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