Rosalina swung her hips to the club music in the middle of the stage. Literally dancing like nobody was watching while Isabella, Elizabetta, and Selena sat around a table playing truth or dare to distract Selena from the breakup. Saint and Benito went for a bathroom break and left Lily at the bar counter, alone. Rosalina came towards her, grooving with the music. "Come dance with me." "It's okay, I'll stay here," Lily said. "Hello? It's your night tonight, Lily. You've gotta enjoy this to the fullest." Rosalina held Lily's hand and pulled her up from the seat and dragged her to the middle of the stage. Lily felt immensely self-conscious dancing in front of all these people. She moved her hands in an awkward, uncoordinated way and kept bumping into people left and right. "Whoa, get a hold of yourself." Someone pulled her by the arm and she bumped into someone's chest. "Sorry," She apologized, looking up. The guy grinned, he looked younger than her, probably in college. "
"Mamma Mia!" Nonna chided, stroking the thin lines of defeat on her forehead. "Suck it in, Lily!"Lilliana pulled her stomach in, clenching her abdominal muscles. She looked like she was holding a pee that was about to break out at any moment. "I can't possibly suck my boobs in!" she wheezed out, pulling her lips together in a tight line.The white corset caged her ample breasts together, and they nearly jumped out, unable to take the confinement."It fitted perfectly the last time we tried it at the boutique. How did you gain so much weight already?" Elizabetta huffed, having a hard time tugging the two laces together."Probably because of stress eating," Rosalina muttered, flipping a page of the Vogue magazine."Rose," Nonna stressed a glare at her through her thick, gold-rimmed glasses."It's true." Rosalina shrugged, puckering her bottom lip."It's just a few pounds." Lily breathed out, holding on to the table for some extra support.Elizabetta gave up and let Rosalina take the le
BANG!Saint tore out a shout of raw pain when a bullet ripped a hole through his shoulder. The metal blade swept against the tarred road. A metallic corrode of blood reeked the air, drooling towards the ground.Carlo was quick to shoot. This won't kill Saint. Couldn't risk finishing the bastard and holding up the wedding for his funeral.The brief yet cutthroat interaction with the bear had given him the obvious notion that Saint Russo was an impulsive prick who will act on screwing up before thinking things over first."This alliance is important for both families. Matteo and I made an agreement. I'm helping you settle the debts with the Colombians." Enzo reasoned. Hoping he stuffed some sense into the burley bastard."Save it." Saint raised his left hand, gesturing Enzo to shut up, his face like a white sheet of scrunched-up paper. "Nonno told me everything." He bit out, bearing teeth."Russo will go extinct if you don't seek my help, and I know you all are too prideful to do that."
Rosalina and the rest of Lily's female cousins had gotten ready in their off-shoulder pink bridesmaid dresses with their hair and makeup done. All of them looked like an army of pink. It was Rosalina's favorite color, and she was stubborn enough to make PINK and white the theme for the venue."All good?" Lily asked, checking herself in the mirror.Gosh, it was hot in here. The dress barely let her breathe as it is and the hot weather made her sweat like a pig.Rosalina dabbed a bead of sweat off of Lily's face with a tissue. "Yes, except you.""I need to go outside and some fresh air. I need to breathe." Lilliana snatched the glass of cold lemon juice from Isabella's hand and chucked it down into her mouth. A heave of ease left her glossy lips as soon as the coolness settled in her throat."No!" Nonna scolded. "You can't let your groom see you before the wedding. It's bad luck.""FYI. Her husband hasn't arrived yet." Rosalina informed, pouring herself a glass of lemon juice.Lily furr
"Did Saint do this to you?" Lily opened the medical kit and looked for the supplies to suture the wound. Good thing they keep these in handy. "Yes," Enzo answered as he sat back on the chair and waited for her. Her eyes trailed on the shadows etched over his taut and tanned body. So well-defined. Like the man was carved out of granite. She cleared her throat and examined the wound. "Sweet Jesus..." The gash on his shoulder was pretty deep, and it was awkwardly plastered with gauze earlier before she removed it and disinfected it. God knows if Saint ever cleans his machete after butchering people like they were pigs. Enzo could have at least gone to a hospital before it got infected, but no, he was stubborn to show up at the wedding in time. Vincenzo Salvadori, her husband, is the most iron-willed man she'd ever met. "Why didn't you tell me before..." she asked softly, placing the supplies on the chair next to him. "I didn't want to." "Why?" "I already told you why." He countere
After finishing the tiresome photoshoot, each of Enzo's relatives introduced themselves as they placed money in the satin bag Lily was holding.It was Italian tradition for the guests to give money to the bride and groom, and Lily felt the weight of blood money from both families piling up in her hands."What should we do with all this money?" Lily whispered to her husband."It's yours. Use it however you want." Enzo answered impassively. He doesn't care. Why would he when he makes millions in a week? The money in the bag wouldn't even sum up the tiniest fraction of what he earns.Lily decided it would be best if she donated it to an NGO one of her friends worked in as a nurse. Thinking it will go for a good cause.All of Enzo's aunts (The wives of his uncles) were pleasant people. All chatty and lively, just like the women on Lily's side of the family. They exchanged cheek kisses and pleasantries with Lily, which made Lily feel a lot more safe entering the Salvadori territory. Their
"What are you thinking?" Lily's attention shifted from the mingling guests and met Enzo's stare. He had been watching her for a while. Enzo clasped their hands together, drawing lazy circles on her knuckles.Sizzles of electricity danced in that place. His touch seized to awaken her body with an electrocuting awareness.Does Enzo feel the same too?She couldn't help but wonder."I've been thinking...""About?""My mama and papa," Lily answered softly. "It's hard not having them here.""I see." His long-held stare shrunk the world around her until it was only him and her. The chatting guests, symphonic piano, and guitar played by the band all fade into a distance like a mist.His lids drooped down, holding emotions. Emotions that mirrored hers. As if he dearly missed someone, too. "My mama would have loved you." He said, the rough edges of his voice smoothening down."Why do you say that?" She asked, her hand going up to hold his hand tight. She wanted to comfort him out of whatever gr
Once the reception was over, they headed straight to the register's office to get their marriage certificates. Lily had also insisted on getting his blood tested at the nearby hospital to look out for any infections. Later, he got injected to kill any pathogens left in his body.After a grueling day and night, they finally retired to the Salvadori mansion.Both of them had decided they won't be having a honeymoon because this was merely a marriage of convenience.This was her decision, and Enzo respected it. She didn't want to get physically involved with him until she was emotionally and mentally prepared.She wondered how people could separate sex from love. Fortunately or unfortunately, this wasn't the case for her. If she had sex with no sort of emotional attachment with Enzo, she might feel used by him.She would end up resenting Enzo for that reason.Having a physical relationship with Enzo didn't appall her. It was the exact opposite. She wanted his touch against her skin. The