“You look beautiful.”
“Thank you.” Tucker accepts my hug with a tight squeeze and a kiss on the top of my head. Happy his friend is finally happy. Just like I am. “I thought I would be nervous, but I’m not.”
“Good sign that you're marrying the right man.” The smile dims and his thumb jerks toward the door. “The guys will escort you to the back of church. I’ll meet you there, okay?”
The hesitation in his tone makes me think everything isn’t okay. “Is something wrong?”
An emotion I can't read flickers in his eyes although he seems confident when he shakes his head. “No. Just lots to manage with all the families here.”
A reminder of Gio's stature. My idea of a small, private wedding waned quickly from the obligation he has to the life he leads. An honor for the men to be invited and a sign of respect for them to attend.
Tucker’s lips brush my cheek. “See you in a few minutes.”
Shame dampens a bit of my exhilaration from the reminder of who's not in the small chapel. The pews on both sides of the aisle filled with Gio's associates and their families. Without any members of mine. I always thought my Dad would walk me down the aisle. Following behind Sheena as my maid of honor. All I can hope is that the old expression is true. Easier to earn forgiveness than seek permission.
They won't understand this impromptu marriage even once they know the truth. A truth I'm not even sure I can share, lest they be disappointed as well as more fearful of him and my decision. I've never been impulsive. Never irresponsible or impetuous. Now they'll think I'm all three. Rather than the normal conscientious and sensible woman they're used to. Instead, I’m letting go of that image to do what makes me truly happy. Believing in Gio and trusting myself.
Deep down I know that’s what they want – for me to be happy. They’ll see that I am – we are – and with every passing holiday and birthday and baptism Gio will become more and more a part of the family. I stroke down the luxurious champagne silk draping across my stomach and hips. If you’re really in there little baby, know how loved and wanted you already are.
A quick knock pulls me out of my thoughts. The door opens before I can answer, and a chill runs through me. Gio’s men would have more respect than to surprise me. Never risking the chance I could still be dressing.
“We’re ready Miss Anderson.”
A man I don’t recognize fills the doorway. Speaking to me with a gruff voice although his smile seems sincere. His suit is crisp just like Gio demands. His hair neatly trimmed and shoes polished to a shine. But unease coils in my stomach from the scorpion tattoo peeking out of his collar. Gio’s men never have visible marks on them like that.
Nodding to him, I ignore the goosebumps sprinkling over my bare arms. I’m just nervous. Today is my wedding day after all. “Okay, thank you.”
I clutch my bouquet of blue tulips wrapped in Mrs. Gibson's silk scarf. Taking care of something borrowed and something blue. My grandmother's diamond earrings something old and my dress and shoes something new. Gio's band on my thumb. Ready to go. Eager to go.
He steps back as I pass by and another guard falls next to me. Not quite touching yet only a hair’s breath away. Similar in clothes and demeanor as the man on my right. I sneak a quick glance and my heart races from the same ink on the side of his neck. Mimicking the man who came for me.
They’re leading me toward the back of the church but Tucker isn’t waiting. Another unfamiliar man stands alert. The matching symbol on his throat. Part of the same gang. Or family. Not Gio’s family. Not Gio's men.
Scanning the area over and over, he searches for something or someone. The pounding in my chest burns to my throat. Something’s so horribly wrong. Unable to keep up with their long strides, I pause. Needing to stop this. Needing to keep a massacre from occurring.
Angry fingers dig into my trembling arm. "Come on bitch. No changing your mind now."
Bitch.
Gio would never talk to me like that. Gio would never allow his employees to talk to a woman like that. His grip only squeezes tighter when I twist away and the man on the other side grabs me too. Wincing from pain and fear and shame that I can't do anything to protect myself. Or Gio. Not even standing under my own power any more from them dragging me closer to the vestibule.
The man in front of us nods and the world spins around me. Their arms raise, the candle lights casting shadows and golden reflections on the metal in their hands as the heavy, wooden doors slowly slide open. My handsome Gio, proud and tall in his tuxedo, stands surrounded by white and red poinsettias in silver vases, waiting with Father Martin at the end of the short aisle. Waiting for me. Waiting for our life together to begin. Not expecting to be gunned down. Never anticipating an ambush.
My voice chokes in my throat, and I shake my head. More pain than I ever could have imagined stabs my heart when the smile fades off his face. He thinks I’ve changed my mind. I have to alert him. Warn him of the real danger. Straining against the fists holding me, I lunge toward him and scream his name. Unable to reach him. The realization of our attack becomes apparent from the rage darkening his face. Gunshots ring out. Chairs topple. Men yell. But one sound pierces through all of the commotion. Gio screaming mine back to me.
"Fuck!"
Tucker! Gio’s best friend races toward us. The man guarding the door yelps and drops to his knees. Tucker’s fingertips brush my wrist. Lunging to grab me. I stretch toward him too. Desperate to reach him. But I lose him as he flails backward from the explosion to his chest. No!
Crimson splatters on my gown, and I'm dragged down the corridor. We're running. Away from Gio. Away from the ceremony. Away from everything I wanted and may be losing.
I'm thrown forward from a force behind me. Tangling in the heavy fabric around my feet. Dead weight pinning me to the floor. Dampness seeping from his chest to my back. Agony burning in my leg from a sickening snap of bone. Terror raging through my shattered heart.
Harsh hands yank me out from under the huge body slumped over mine. Rough carpet scratches my arms. Smearing scarlet down my raw skin.
Curled against a hard chest, I fight the nausea rolling in my belly. The throbbing in my ankle worsening from the wild bouncing of our race down the hall lined with floor to ceiling multi-colored windows. Glass shatters, and we stride through the shards. Crossing a patch of winter dead grass to the black SUV parked on the side street.
Without a single word, he tosses me into the back seat. I can't hold back the sob from the torture to my mangled body. Sliding across the floor mats as the vehicle jerks hard, lifting and bottoming out from zooming across something uneven under the tires.
After a few seconds the ride smooths. Still barreling forward but in a seemingly straight path. I swallow down the vomit threatening to burst into my mouth and hoist myself up onto the cushion. Swaying from the fire blazing through my mutilated bone. From the fear of where we're going and what we've left behind.
Dark tinted windows obscure the view. Keeping anyone from seeing me. Finding me while we blast along the interstate. I turn away from my reflection in the glass. Unwilling to face the blood –Tucker’s blood – staining my cheeks. Strands of hair hanging haphazardly around my face. Disheveled, but not from Gio the way I expected.
I gingerly cup my hands under my thigh and lift my aching leg onto the bench. Blowing out deep breaths to ride through the searing pain. Swollen bigger than a grapefruit, my ankle curves at a distorted angle. I fight the tears welling up in my eyes. The sob bubbling in my throat. I don't think I've ever been more afraid. Not sure what I'm going to do.
Except give up.
Gio and I have been given a second chance, and I'm not losing him or Tucker again.
We slow, turning onto the long driveway of a country property. Lined with bare trees as stark as the rolling hills on each side. He parks in front of a gray brick estate. Simple elegance highlighted by white shutters and broad black slate stairs. My pulse pounds through my skin. Leighton's mom stands on the bottom step. They've taken her too. Just like Gio feared. Punishing him by hurting the people we care about.
I punch against the buttons in the side console but nothing happens. The window remains up. The door stays locked. The panic continues to explode. I can't warn her.
The guard fills my view, and he yanks the door open. Straining to call to her, I battle against the man who reaches for me. Fist curls around my wrists, preventing me from inflicting any damage to him.
"Run Patti! Go! Get out of here!"
"Be careful! That's my future daughter in law!"
Anger floods her voice. Rather than the gracious, friendly tone I'm familiar with. The man's grasp loosens, cautiously sliding me out of the back. Obeying her orders. Following her commands. As if she's not a victim.
As if...she's the boss.
Daughter in law?
I can barely wrap my head around her label of me with the black spots invading my vision as the man carries me up the steps. Consuming all my energy to fight the darkness tempting me to give in and escape from being so cold and weak and broken.
He hustles through the foyer, following her quick steps on the marble. Just like Gio's house. Our house. That I may never get back to.
"What happened? You had strict orders not to hurt her. Only Trivoli was supposed to die."
Gio? Gio was supposed to die?
"It was an accident. They clipped Johnson, and he fell on her. She probably needs to see a doctor."
"You think?" Her head shakes with an irritated disgust, and she points to a cream chase lounge. "Put her down there."
Misery pours through my body from him lowering me to the cushion. Squeezing my eyes shut against the bed spinners engulfing me. Once the room slows, I blink and meet her gaze. Fury blazing in hers. "I don't understand. Why are you doing this?"
She leans closer. Her hand resting on the smooth upholstery. Dangerously close to my writhing injury. "Because you're supposed to marry Leighton."
I clench the divan arms, keeping myself from tipping over. "He dumped me."
"Yes, but now he wants you back. And that's what you told him at the party. You still want to be with him."
I can't catch my breath. As if I've been running instead of laying here. Trapped in this nightmare for too long. “I changed my mind."
Fingers wrap around my ankle and I jerk off the lounger in torture from her crushing grip. "Then change it back."
She floats in front of me. Somehow closer and farther away at the same time. A cruel smile mocking me. Choking me with her rich orchid scent burning my nose. "Please Patti. I need help."
"You need to marry my son."
"I-I c-can't." The words stumble in my chattering teeth. Suddenly freezing with a quivering I’m unable to control. "I'm…"
"I can make the pain go away. Is that what you want? Do you want me to help you feel better?"
God yes. I can't even think straight I’m in so much misery. "Please..."
Icy fingers yank down my chin and something hard and small slides between my teeth. Bitter and chalky on my tongue. A glass shoves against my lips.
"Swallow."
Not like I have any choice, or I'll drown from the liquid flooding my mouth. I gulp and gulp, water pouring down my face and onto my chest, until she finally tips the cup back. Cold. It's so cold, and I can't stop shivering. Can't wipe away the excess moisture. Can't keep my eyes open. Can't do anything but wait for the relief.
Hardness invades my mouth again. More water. More drowning. The pills slice like razor blades down my throat as I’m forced to swallow. Three? Four? I don't know why she's giving me so many. I don't know what she's doing to me. I don’t why I can’t move. Pulled under by a muddy current I can’t fight anymore, I know I’m going to die.