Page 81 of Mafia Fire

Cannon slips his arm around my waist, pulling me closer into him.

Rockland says the vows and as Cannon repeats them to me, I can barely believe he’s making this pledge to me. I’m the luckiest girl in the world. The look in Cannon’s eyes melts my heart, my knees going weak as he speaks, the deep timbre of his voice warming my chest.

"I, Cannon, take you, Kylie, to be my wife; to have and to hold, from this day forward; for better, for worse; for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health; to love and to cherish; until we are parted by death."

I repeat the words back to him, my voice a shaky whisper.

He leaves me with a kiss. The room goes dark. I stand in the front of the room with Rockland, all eyes on me. Where is he going? What is he doing?

He returns with a white pillar candle in his right hand, the flame flickering as he makes his way to me. In his other hand, he holds a small red leather jewelry box like the one that held my engagement ring.

Cannon stands before me, his voice thick with emotion. He flips open the lid, revealing a silver chain with a tiny sword pendant hanging from it, green and brown gemstones laid in the metal. "All Bachman women wear this necklace. It is a symbol of our creed, the way we live our lives, the eternal care of a man for a woman. For as long as the stars have lit the sky, men have cared for and loved the women they have pledged their lives to. And women have loved and obeyed those men, accepting them as the headship of their family. Choosing to give the gift of their submission to these men — men who would lay down their lives for the ones they love. The sword is our symbol — the length we are willing to go to, the sacrifice we would willingly make."

Liam comes forward, taking the box and candle from Cannon. Cannon lifts the necklace from the jewelry box.

Cannon says, “Kylie, I freely give you this symbol, and pledge my very life to you. Do you accept?"

Everyone looks to me, the room buzzing with quiet as they wait for my answer. “Yes, of course.”

He brings the necklace around my neck, clasping it in the back. The little sword rests just below my grandmother’s pendant, the metal a cool weight against my skin. Cannon brushes a kiss over my cheek.

Rockland says, "Fire, also as timeless as the Earth, symbolizes the Bachman family’s pledge to one another. To guide, care for, and protect one another above all others.”

Now, all the guests are passing out unlit white candles like the one Cannon had been holding. Liam hands Cannon his still-lit candle. He reaches over, lighting his brother’s with it. The flame spreads through the room until everyone holds a burning candle, their soft flickering glow brightening the room, the earthy scent of fire reaching me.

Rockland asks, “Bachmans, do you accept this union of bride and groom?"

The crowd gives a reverent, "We do."

"And Bachmans, do you pledge to care for and protect bride and groom, as you would your own blood?" Rockland asks.

"We do,” they respond.

Rockland says, "And how long will you hold bride and groom in your care?"

"Forever."

It’s overwhelming, all these people who want me to be a part of them. Rockland turns to me as I’m wiping tears from my eyes. "Welcome to the Bachman family, Kylie Bachman."

“Come here, babygirl. I want to kiss my wife.” Cannon takes me in his arms and kisses me, deeply.

We join our guests for dinner, dining in the same seats where we sat my first night at Fire, Catherine now a distant memory. Afterward, the party moves outdoors. We dance under the stars, twirling over a parquet dance floor that’s been laid over the grass.

Nonna dances the Cha Cha Slide with Booker. The music slows and Carlos approaches her. He looks dapper in a dark gray pinstriped suit and… does his silvery purple tie just happen to match her dress? He asks her something—for a dance? She gives a nod, and he takes her in his arms. When she looks up at him, her whole face lights up. Her smile makes my evening that much more special.

I watch as the Beast approaches Charlie, asking for a dance and, as timid as a mouse, she accepts. Liam holds Emilia in his arms, swaying to the music, his brothers all around him, dancing with their own beautiful women.

Even Antonio is here, hiding in the shadows, a whiskey in his good hand. I give him a little wave, excusing myself from Cannon’s arms. “I’ll be right back. There’s something I need to do.”

“I’ll let you go, but only for a moment,” my husband says, giving me a passionate kiss before releasing me. I can feel him watching me as I make my way across the dance floor.

I go to Antonio. “I’m glad you came. I have you to thank for this night.”

He raises his glass. “To the happy couple.”

He looks so sad and so beautiful all at once, I can’t help but to rise up on the balls of my feet and peck a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you. For what you did for me.”

“Non è niente.” He shakes his head, raising his glass to his lips and taking a long sip. “It’s nothing.”

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