Page 60 of Mafia Heiress
“You always have to do things the hard way. Never traditional,” she sighs.
“Ma, this isn’t the nineteen fifties. Women nowadays don’t look to have kids right away. I want to enjoy myself, make a life with Dante.”
Nikki walks in before she can give me the ‘clock-is-ticking speech’, saving me from having to argue with her. She’s dressed as her usual cute self, with her gorgeous hair pinned up. Lipstick a bright red and a smokey eye to die for. I wish I could be that put together everyday.
“Where’s the bride?!” she screams, running to give me a hug. “I can’t believe you’re going through with this, not that I blame you. Dante is hot.”
I gently smack her back before she releases me. “It’s not the only reason I’m marrying him. He’s kind and compassionate. He knows how to work a room and be quiet when needed. Did you know he was a medic in the Marines?”
“Sounds like you’re smitten to me,” Nikki says.
I give her one of my famous eyerolls and try hard not to laugh. If she knew what Dante was like in the bedroom she’d be smitten too.
“Let’s get me ready. I don’t want to be late to my own wedding.”
It’s a whirlwind after that. My bridesmaids all show up and soon clothes and makeup is strewn about. My room and closets are covered in other people’s stuff. My mother is in her glory, helping where she can. A tinge of sadness comes over me as I think about Annette and how she would have loved to be a part of this day. Once I’ve taken over for my father, my first task is to find Vitucci and kill him myself. This time there won’t be an interrogation.
A knock on the door sounds as Nikki slips on my veil. I haven’t looked at myself in the mirror yet, but by my father’s expression, I can tell he thinks I’m beautiful.
“Don’t you look like a princess,” he says. It’s his own way of showing me affection.
“You too. But who did this pocket square? It’s crooked.”
I focus on the one thing I can control at the moment, grabbing the fabric and refolding it. If I look into his eyes I’m going to start crying. For as much of an asshole my father is, he’s still the first person I run to when I’m in trouble. He’s protected me my whole life.
Stuffing it back in his pocket, I pat his chest before pulling away, but he grabs my hand. “I want to give you something.”
He pulls out a small box and places it in the hand he’s holding. I smile up at him before pulling away the ribbon and opening it. A beautiful antique ring stares back at me. It’s my style, art deco, with a platinum setting and a one carat sapphire in the middle. Two diamonds frame the middle stone and the whole setting is in an oval shape. It’s something out of a movie.
“This is gorgeous,” I whisper and kiss his cheek.
“It was my mother’s. Before she died she gave it to me. It’s been in the family a long time. She wanted my child to have it.”
I remove it from the box and place it on the pointer finger of my right hand. It shines in the light, catching all the beautiful colors in the diamonds. I think about the woman who’s hand this rested on last. I never met my grandmother, but I know she was a formidable woman, a lot like me.
“Thank you. It’s perfect.”
“Anything for you. Now, let's get this over with. I need a drink and your mother told me I’m not allowed till after the ceremony. She’s worried about the pictures.”
My mother smacks his arms playfully, but I can see the pain in her eyes. He makes these jokes, but doesn’t care about anything she wants. My heart breaks a little, when I realize I could have had her life. Marry someone they chose for me and lose my identity to a man who wants nothing more than a clean house, kids, and what’s between my legs.
That will never be me.
* * *
The ridein the limo is silent. My father and mother sit on opposite ends of the car and I stare out the window. I feel nervous and afraid, but also a sense of relief. I won’t be under my father’s thumb anymore and after I take over I can take my mother away from him.
The thought terrifies me. I don’t want him to hate me, but after everything that’s happened, even recently, it proves it‘s time for him to retire. The Family will flourish under my rule, and my guys will make sure it stays that way.
The limo pulls up to the church, St. Augustine on 6th Avenue. It’s been my dream to get married there since I was a little girl and attended service with one of my mother’s friends. It’s not our parish, but the architecture and the gothic layout makes for the most serene feeling. It’s like being called home.
Traffic backs up as the limos empty out with people. I see Ciro and Marcello talking at the side of the church, arms raised and yelling. I hope these idiots don’t start something today. Sighing, I wait for the driver to open my door and let me out.
My dress gets caught on my heel, but Ana is right there helping me out of the car. I can’t help keeping my eyes glued on the guys wondering what could be so important that they aren’t inside with Dante. We agreed they’d be in the wedding party, especially since Dante doesn’t have any family besides his parents.
As I place my foot on the sidewalk I hear pop-pop. The familiar sound not registering until I hear my mother scream. I turn around and my father is sitting on the ground, a bright red splotch blooming on his white dress shirt.
The limo driver is face down on the floor, not moving. Ana tries to pull me down between two parked cars, but I have to get to my mother. She’s vulnerable all by herself. I rip away from her and crawl to the open car door. She’s leaning over my father screaming his name. Another shot rings out and it goes wide shattering the glass window.
