Page 214 of Anti-Heroes in Love Duet
The groom.
I shivered.
“This is too surreal,” I told her honestly. “I feel as if I’m in a dream.”
“Good. It’s about time some of those came true for you.”
“I’m not going to cry,” I warned her firmly, even though my throat was tight and my nose itched with looming tears. “I’ve been doing that way too much lately.”
She laughed, reaching forward to cup my cheek in her slim hand. “Crying is the body’s way of expressing emotion that’s too big for words. It doesn’t make you weak, Lena, and I’m happy to hear you’re justfeelingagain.”
“I know it doesn’t. This is the first time in my life I’ve ever felt invincible, and it’s with enemies all around us actively trying to bring us down.”
“Dante’s enemies,” she amended with a curious glint in her eyes.
I shrugged. “So, they’re my own.”
She grinned again and surged forward like a stray wave to cover me in a fierce hug. “Ti amo. Sono orgogliosa di essere tua sorella.”
I love you. I’m proud to be your sister.
My burning heart crackled and sparked.
“Anch’io,” I said, hugging her tight.
Same.
“I hope you know that he loves you more than I’ve seen any man but Alexander love another woman,” she said, obviously trying to soothe whatever insecurities I felt about him once claiming to love her. “The Davenport men only love once, and they do it forever.”
“I know.” I kissed her smooth cheek and pulled away so she could see my certainty. “I don’t have any doubts.”
She pressed a finger to the corner of her eye to collect a pooling tear, then laughed lightly as she dashed it away. “Okay, enough of this. He’s waiting for you.”
A little shiver rattled my shoulders, sweet anticipation on my tongue.
Cosima offered me her arm and I realized she would escort me down the aisle to Dante. It was fitting that my sister would do so when she’d sacrificed and supported me through so much. Fleetingly I wished Mama was there, but then I decided she would understand better than anyone the impulsiveness of a capo.
We left the little room and moved through the archways into the main chamber before turning left to walk down the aisle.
And there he was.
My capo.
Resplendent in a gorgeous black suit and tie, the stark color bringing the vividness of his deeply bronzed skin into relief.
But all I really noticed was the look on his face as he took me in.
Awe and wonder.
He seemed struck by it as if by lightning, his gaze electric on me as I moved toward him, his fingers twitching at his sides as if he couldn’t bear a second longer without touching me. Without being able to make certain I was real and not some mirage cast down from heaven.
I felt my soul crack open, light pouring out through the smile that made my cheeks hurt.
He blinked as if looking at the sun.
When we reached the altar, I finally noticed that a small but brown priest stood behind Dante with Alexander and Tore flanking him. They both smiled at me. Even Alexander’s face was soft with contentment.
Impatient, Dante stepped forward to take my hand and pull me from Cosima.
