Page 67 of The Diávolos: Part Two
Angelica grunts under her breath. “Let me go, Evan.” She pulls away, and I release my grip. “May I remind you; this is just a means to an end.”
Irritation flares within me. I don’t give her a response and turn back to the officiant, because no matter what she says, this marriage is more than that. And she’d better get on board with it.
19
ANGELICA
“She knew she loved him when ‘home’ went from being a place to being a person.”
—E. Leventhal
The courthouse doors squeak open, revealing a small room bathed in the warm glow of the afternoon sun. I stand facing the makeshift altar. Beside me, Evander stands still, his eyes full of promise.
Aria steps behind me, and I reach back to squeeze her hand. The air is thick with tension.
I take a deep breath, attempting to steady my nerves, unsure whether to take this leap or retreat to the safety of the familiar, but each one only intensifies the nervous anticipation.
I understand that marrying Evan is the smartest business choice to make, but my heart begs to differ. As strong as my feelings are for him, there’s always a shroud of doubt that creeps its way into my brain and convinces me that I can’t handle another heartbreak. The fear of making the wrong move paralyzes me.
I fidget with my dress in an attempt to ground myself, but to no avail. My eyes dart around, searching for something to give me solace, and they land onhim. TheDiávolos.
The weight of guilt settles heavily in my chest. I can't escape the remorse that courses through me, knowing that I was the bearer of bad news about his family’s murders. Evander had no idea that my father was responsible, and I blurted it out, thinking he was hiding yet another truth from me. When Evan’s face contorted in a mix of shock and hurt, I felt an immediate pang of regret. I wish I could go back and choose my words more carefully. The memory of his reaction has been playing over and over in my mind since we left Saintville, and each time, it stings anew.
But when I look at my husband-to-be now, I don’t see any hate or distaste. His unwavering stare bores deep into my soul.
We stand facing each other, the shared vulnerability anchoring us to the floor. There’s an ounce of apprehension in his eyes, and I find comfort in the fact that I’m not alone in my nerves.
The officiant’s soothing voice interrupts my thoughts as he begins the ceremony.
His words echo, and we exchange vows, each word a solemn promise, a declaration of a future together.Holy, shit. I’m really doing this, aren’t I?
Time seems to warp, and my heartbeat slows when we swap our rings.
And, just like that, we’re married.
The officiant’s declaration fills the room, and Evander pulls me into a kiss that seals our union.
This isn’t real,I try to convince myself.Then why does it feel…right?I shake off those thoughts, and I'm brought back to reality.
Aria and Dion offer their congratulations, and I smile. I can’t seem to utter any words as I watch Evan—my husband—and his brother embrace.
When we step outside the courthouse, Aria hands me a small bouquet of wildflowers she picked earlier, a thoughtful gesture for the nature of the occasion. She gives me a kiss on the cheek. “You’re a whole-ass wife, Giegie!”
Finally, I’m able to formulate a sentence, and I smile weakly at my best friend. “Thank you for being here, Riri.”
“Are you okay?” she asks, sounding concerned.
“I think I might be in shock.”
She grabs onto my arms and tells the guys that we’re going to the bathroom to freshen up. On the way there, she finds a bottle of water and hands it to me. I down half of it in one gulp.
“Did I just royally fuck up, Aria?”
“Babe, you know Evan will take care of you.”
“I just…what if he breaks my heart again?” Tears well up in my eyes. Aria hugs me, and I settle in her arms. “What if he just wants to use me to get back at my father again?”
“Angie. The man moved to Antium after you left him in the dead of the night. He ditched his entire clan and business to be in the same city as you, even though you refused to speak to him for a year! He kept sending you gifts and made sure you were safe. Hemarriedyou so that he can help you stop your father and find answers about your mother. I know you’re scared but trust your gut.”
