Page 63 of The Agreement

"He is great. Like every time has been amazing, Luciana. And with him, I haven't felt like an inexperienced virgin."

"I wasn’t lying on the plane, Val when I said he was going to break hearts. I don't know what you did or what changed, but he’s not looking at other ladies. And everyone has assumed that when you two get married that he would be looking elsewhere again. But it really does seem like Chicago's notorious flirt and womanizer might be off the shelf." Val couldn't help blush at that. That's what she wanted of course, but it was still nice to hear.

"Well good, he should be; that is what the contract states, I told you that."

"No, hon, not due to the contract," Luciana said as she crossed her arms and tilted her head as she looked at Val. "You don’t see it, do you? Hell, he probably doesn't see it either."

"See what? What the hell are you talking about?" But Luciana just waved her hand, dismissing that.

"It’s not a big deal, you'll catch on later, Val. Right now, we need to shop for a ring, a dress, and some undergarments that are going to knock Vinny on his ass and will make him feel like he is the king of the world. Then after that, we get to hit up a club and party as your last single night."

~ Chapter 48 ~

Val turned one way in the mirror and then another way, checking to make sure the satin nightie she had on was going to work. The lace around her breasts barely hid the nipples underneath and though satin, it was a sheer style of material so it wasn’t like it was covering much. Val turned and looked at Luciana as she nodded. “No way,” Val said, crossing her arms over her chest.

“What? It’s totally perfect for your wedding night. Come on, it’s not like he’s not seen you naked already.” Val twisted her lip before letting out a sigh.

“Fine, fine, I’ll buy it. But I still think it’s too much. Does it have to be white?” Luciana laughed at Val and her whining.

“Yes, because you should have been a virgin.” Val narrowed her eyes before shoving Luciana out the door and changing back into her clothes. So far, Luciana had made Val buy a new dress, shoes, and about three or four sexy undergarments for Vinny’s viewing pleasure. Their last stop on the list was wedding bands, and she had one already in mind. She packed up the garments and walked out of the dressing room and to the counter, grabbing her card to pay for them. She was rather happy, that at moments like this, she had her own account and that she had her own funds because she would really hate to have to explain what the hell she was buying and why she was in Vegas to her dad.

“You remember when we were little girls and we talked about our wedding day? What we wanted and who we wanted?” Val asked, grabbing the bags and walking out of the store. “I wanted a dark prince and we were going to be married under a whole of flowers and trees.” Luciana linked her arm with Val’s as they walked down to the last destination.

“I do. You have your dark prince. You aren’t going to get much more Italian than Giovanni. And though he wasn’t of your choosing, he fits you in ways you didn’t even know.” Val sighed but she agreed with Luciana on that. She wouldn’t have thought twice about that man, not with all the things she recalled and saw, but she could see that a lot of that was a front. “Did you really ever hate him?” Val looked up at her best friend after she asked that and Val shrugged.

“I don’t know, honestly. I mean, he was arrogant, cruel, harsh, egotistical, all traits I dislike anyway. But, I think a good part of my outlook on him was born from my dad, you know? From the war that was raging on between two huge and important families. It was ingrained in us not to like each other.” Val stopped as she looked at some of the bands and smiled. “I told Vinny on the flight to New York we were an odd version of Romeo and Juliet and he asked me never to call us that again; he hates the story.”

“Can I help you, ladies?” Val looked up as the sales clerk walked over and Val smiled.

“Yes, you can. May I see this wedding band please?” Luciana looked over Val’s shoulder at the platinum band with diamonds surrounding it.

“That’s a great piece for him,” Luciana agreed and Val nodded.

“He wouldn’t think I would spoil him like that, I know it.”

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Val took a deep breath as Luciana finished off the touches on her makeup and hair. She had always thought she’d share a day like today with her parents and her family but now, she couldn’t be sure that her parents wouldn’t have been difficult anyway. And that was rough to think about. Any little girl wants her daddy to walk her down the aisle and to give her way, not to be a pain in the ass that she wish would leave her the fuck alone.

“You look gorgeous.” Val looked in the mirror, checking out the makeup, making sure all evidence of their late and wild club action wasn’t seen and she nodded. Luciana had gifted Val with a little blue bow that had a piece of lace to represent her veil and she had placed it in the hair that was pulled back, allowing the curls to cascade down her back.

“You did well, Luciana.” Val hugged her best friend and walked out of the room, heading down to the awaiting car. To Val, the twenty-minute drive seemed to have taken forever, but maybe it was the butterflies in her stomach that weren’t helping much. Once they got to the venue, Val stepped out, her eyes tearing up at the sight of all the gorgeous lush trees and the brilliant display of colors from the flowers.

“Vinny asked what you’d love, I didn’t have a chance to buy you a gift, so I thought this would be the next best thing,” Luciana whispered to her and Val threw her arms around her best friend. She had no clue what would happen to her if Luciana ever ditched her. Their friendship had stood the test of time and they had always been there for each other.

“Sei il migliore (you’re the best), Luciana,” Val told her and Luciana gave her another quick squeeze.

“Come on, that good-looking man is waiting for you.” Val nodded and turned behind Luciana, smoothing out the white lace dress that hugged her curves and fell down to the floor. Yes, the simple white dress she had bought was beautiful but Luciana insisted on something a little more in style for this wedding. And try as she might, Val would never understand how Luciana found half the things she did, like this dress. It was simple, yet elegant with its capped sleeves and lace, and it was one they found on the shelf in a bridal store. Val had learned long ago to shake her head at her friend and this time it wouldn’t be any different, she just had to accept that Luciana had a strange gift when it came to shopping.

Val walked down the pathway, the single rose in her hand as her bouquet. Even for a spur of the moment, Vinny sure had a lot of things done and that was so sweet to her. It felt like a true wedding and she was grateful for that. She eyed him in his black suit and felt her breath catch at how amazing he looked. And it must have been mutual because she smirked as Vinny's jaw dropped once his eyes landed on her. She took his hand once she stepped up beside him and squeezed it, her nerves flying out the window. Somehow, deep down, she knew she was to marry this man that it went beyond some contract.

"You look stunning, Valentina."

"As do you, Giovanni." They spent the next 15 minutes listening to the officiate give his words about the duty of marriage, the need for communication, and the importance of being there for one another. It was easy to agree with him, Val felt when those were all actions they had already. And she prayed it's something that they had in their many future years to come. When it was time for their 'I dos' and their exchanging of words, Val was surprised to see the wedding band that matched her engagement ring and her eyes held that look.

"When I had the ring designed, I had the band done as well. I wanted a piece that was yours, that matched you, and that was just as unique as you are.” Val tried her best not to tear up at those words, but it was hard. She slipped the ring that she had gotten for him on, and he smiled, although he seemed rather shocked by it too.

"It was something I wanted to do the moment we landed. And once I saw it, I had to buy it." Vinny's hands reached for her face and pulled her in for a kiss, not even waiting for the officiate to give his speech and that which left him flustered and he fumbled through the final message of announcing them married. Not that she cared, she never would so long as she was in his arms, and especially if it was his lips were on hers.

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