Chapter15: THE PAST

ISABELLA’S P.O.V. I wanted a big wedding. Not because I had a ton of friends or because I even thought I was going to get married but because my father told me stories about his wedding with my mother. He told me how they wanted a large wedding but because of my mother’s family, they couldn’t. The first day he told me that story, I decided that I was going to have a big wedding just so that he could live vicariously through me. I was beginning to rethink that decision because I was hyperventilating. Lorenzo had planned every inch of the wedding. The only thing I had control over was my wedding dress and even with that, I couldn’t bring myself to care. It was a beautiful ivory dress that gripped my curves like a second skin and showed enough of my body to give my dead a heart attack from his grave. I loved the dress but it felt wrong. It was the kind of dress I would wear if I was in love but I wasn’t in love. I didn’t even know the man I was to marry. He was a mob leader and I barely knew anything about him save for his last name. He told me that the wedding would be filled with politicians and people who had ties to him and I thought he was joking until I started seeing senators pile in. “You better not be thinking about running,” I jumped when I saw Matteo standing behind me. He was in a simple black suit but he had ditched his tie. He made his way over to me and gave me a small smile. I had limited interactions with him and I couldn’t help but notice that he wasn’t my biggest fan. “You would love it if I ran,” I shot back and he shrugged. “Not really.” I scoffed. “You don’t want me marrying your friend. You can admit it. It wouldn’t kill you to be truthful.” “You’re an outsider, Isabella. Of course I do not want you marrying him and it isn’t because I don’t like you. You don’t know our world and you have no idea the things you have done and ruined just so that Lorenzo can marry you.” “I didn’t ask for this,” I spat. “He came to me in that casino, not the other way around. I didn’t ask to be targeted. I was perfectly content with the life that I had.” “I know and I don’t blame you for any of this but don’t think this will be easy. Contrary to what you think, I actually like you, you have fire but not everyone in our world thinks the same way. You may not be one of us yet but you have enemies. Some of them are within the walls you will live in.” “What does that mean?’ Before he could answer, the church bell rang. “I have to go. I’ll see you in the church.” He disappeared before I could say another word and a man came to lead me to the doors. I was in a daze as the music started. When the doors opened, my breath caught in my throat. I never truly realized how many people were seated until that moment. I saw Lorenzo standing at the aisle and I forced my legs to move. The eyes on me were numerous and not all of them were nice. Some held envy and others held anger. I kept my head high as I made my way to the aisle. It was my day despite how it came about and I was not going to let anyone ruin it for me. When I got to the aisle, Lorenzo immediately grabbed my hands. His face was devoid of emotion and it irked me. It was his idea to get married so the least he could do was pretend like he wanted it. If anything, I was the one being trapped in the marriage. The priest started speaking but my attention was wholly on him. I hated to admit it but Lorenzo looked breathtaking. The suit fit him perfectly and matched with his deep purple tie, it was a sight to behold. His hands were callused and rough against mine but they also felt weirdly right. “Get to the end,” I was not expecting to hear Lorenzo’s voice. Even the priest was taken aback and he spluttered for a few seconds. “Did I stutter? I said skip to the fucking end, now.” I don’t know if he was impatient to leave or if he just hated my company so I couldn’t stop myself from speaking. “You’re stuck with me for the rest of your life, Lorenzo. A few minutes at the altar won’t change a thing.” Only the priest could hear our exchange and he looked like he was ready to shit his pants at my words. He skipped to the ring exchange and when Lorenzo slipped that band on my finger, everything felt final. “Do you, Isabella Caine take Lorenzo DeLucia to be your lawfully wedded husband?” You could have heard a pin drop with how silent the room went. It was like everyone was holding their breath and waiting for me to say no. I swallowed deeply. “I do.” “Do you, Lorenzo DeLucia, take Isabella to be your lawfully wedded wife?” “I do.” “By the power invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss the bride.” Lorenzo smiled and it reminded me of a predator who had finally circled his prey. He leaned down to kiss me and just like every time before, it was warm and claiming. I couldn’t help but moan into his mouth as he deepened the kiss. His lips pulled up into a smirk and I bit his bottom lip hard enough to draw blood. He pulled back and I stared down at his swollen lip expecting him to be pissed but instead, his tongue stuck out and licked the area. There was amusement in his eyes and a challenge. Lorenzo was a predator, he enjoyed the chase but what he didn’t realize was that I was not prey. “I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. DeLucia.” Lorenzo grabbed my hand and turned to face the crowd. As we walked down the aisle together, he paused in the middle and pulled me towards him. He kissed me and I heard people cheering as they took pictures. As he pulled back, I heard his voice in my ears. “Podrías ser mi mayor desafío hasta ahora.” I had no idea what he said but from the way he said it, one thing was certain, I had just issued a challenge and he was going to see it to the very end.