Page 107 of The Diávolos: Part Two
The vivid images of his lifeless body still replay in my mind.
I don’t regret what I did, but it has changed me. Not necessarily in a bad way, though.
Now, when I face the person in the mirror, I’m proud of her. And it’s empowering as hell.
Peter was an evil man who’d lost his soul, and there was no bringing him back.
There’s an ache in my chest, but not from sadness. I thought I’d have a harder time accepting my father’s fate, but when I saw him and understood the reality of how far he’d sunken into the depths of Hell, I knew there was no other option.
It had to end, and it had to be done by my hands. I was owed that kill. Since the day I was almost taken from my father’s car as a child, he’s been no better than Lucifer himself.
The sound of the knife slicing my father’s neck still rings in my ears as a reminder that I took control of my life and decided to no longer let my past dictate my future.
I smooth out the front of my dress with my palms as I wait for Eldora to come back.
It might be masochistic, but I wanted to get ready for my wedding in my childhood home. Even though it’s plagued with bad memories, I wanted to get into my gown in the room I grew up in. Maybe to feel my mother’s presence as I prepare for the most important day of my life.
The doorbell rings. “Oh! That must be Aria,” I shout to no one in particular.
A few minutes later, my best friend pops her head through the door, followed by my other three best friends from Antium.
I can’t help the scream of joy that comes out of my mouth. “Oh my God! You all made it!”
I step off the little stool I was standing on and rush to my friends.
“We told you we wouldn’t miss it!” Nicole exclaims. “At least not yoursecondwedding ceremony,” she scolds with a fake glare. I give them an apologetic grimace, but the girls laugh.
“Yeah! How could we not be here when our Giegie is getting married?A second time,” Daniel adds, grabbing my head between his bicep and forearm and rubbing my scalp with his knuckles.
I swat him away. “You’re so lucky my hair and makeup aren’t done yet or I would have murdered you!”
“That’s where I come in,” Aria says from behind him, showing off her extensive makeup collection and hair products.
I hug her next. “My hero!”
We spend the next hour or so getting ready and catching up on what’s been happening back in The Big A. From what they’ve told me, things have gotten even more hostile on the streets. Hendrick and the other families have been cracking down on underground establishments, trying to close all places associated with the Sisterhood.
Dion told Evander a few days ago that they couldn’t find all the men responsible who had been running these places alongside my father.
I still can’t believe that my family’s involvement in the Sisterhood also extends to covert clubs and bordellos that used minors from the institution.
Thinking about it makes me sick.
“All done,” Aria announces and turns me around to face the mirror.
“Holy shit, Ang! You look gorgeous,” Amanda says with glee.
I blink slowly, taking in my reflection. My fingers reach up to my hair that Aria tucked into a delicate chignon at the nape of my neck. She left some curls around my face and ears.
My makeup is subtle but so elegant: a soft brown smokey eye and just enough blush to make my cheeks look flushed. Aria finished the look with a glossy, nude lip. It looks perfect.
“Wow,” I whisper. “Thank you, Ri. It looks amazing.” I get up to give her a squeeze.
She smiles wide, her large eyes brimming with tears. “I can’t believe you’re getting a proper wedding. I’m so happy for you, Giegie. Even though you’re married to a creep,” Aria jokes, and I grin.
Suddenly, the corners of her mouth curve downward and her gaze drifts away. Aria’s arranged marriage is fast-approaching, and I know how much she’s struggling to accept it. I go to reach out to her, to comfort her, but she releases a heavy sigh and composes herself, waving my concern away. “Just let me powder your nose and add some shimmer to your collarbone and you’re good to go!” she says in an animated voice, trying to hide the sadness that has draped over her.
My friends take another hour to get ready, while I sip on a smoothie through a straw so I don’t ruin my makeup, and covered in a blanket so I don’t soil my dress.Being a bride is hard work.
