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Liv snorts, but before she can reply, the door swings open, and that’s when she sees Seb standing inside next to Antonio. And her smile drops instantly.

“They hate me,” she says, eyes fixed on the doorway before turning to me. “They don’t want you to marry someone like me. Not with my family history.”

I squeeze her hand tighter, lifting it to my chest, right over my heart. “Too fucking bad. They don’t get a say in what I do or who I choose.”

She swallows, but I see the unshed tears she’s fighting back. “Alessio, are you sure about this? What if you get tired of me and want a replacement or something? I don’t share and won’t entertain being a side piece.”

I let out a low chuckle. “You think I’d trade you in for someone else? Not a fucking chance. You’re it for me, trust me when I tell you that.” I lean closer, my breath tickling her ear as my tone drops. “I may cheat death every damn day, but never on you.”

Her cheeks flush deep red, and fuck, that look on her face of pure heat and challenge makes my smirk widen. “Now stop stalling before I punish you for being rude.”

Her lips curl. “What if Iwantto be punished?”

Damn, she knows exactly how to get under my skin. The thought of bending her over the nearest surface and spanking that perfect ass has my dick twitching instantly.

I shake my head, smirking. “Careful,Sirena. You’re really tempting me.”

I look into Liv’s eyes, trying to read where she’s at. “You ready for this?”

She nods, and I can see her confidence coming back. I pull her closer. “This isn’t just a piece of paper,” I murmur, my lips brushing her ear. “It’s a promise. And I don’t break promises.”

She grins, “Good, because if you do, I’ll kick your ass.” Her playful attitude makes my chest swell in ways I didn’t even know were possible.

I let out a low chuckle. “Is that a threat or a promise?”

“Depends on how you behave,” she teases, her emerald eyes are full of fucking mischief.

I smirk. “Then I better behave myself.” I tilt her chin up, making sure she’s focused on me. “Now ignore those fuckers in there. It’s you and me… till the fucking end.”

She lets out a small laugh, but her hand stays right where I want it, over my heart. “Just you and me.”

I know she’s nervous about going in there. Antonio was pissed, and she doesn’t know the rest of them. But she needs to know I’m not throwing her to the wolves.

I brush a strand of hair from her face, my voice softer now. “You calm the fire in me, Liv.” My fingers trail down her cheek before I grip her chin again, making sure she hears me. “But I’ll burn the whole damn world down before I let anyone hurt you again.”

We walk in, and Dad wastes no time coming right up to us, pulling Liv in and pressing a kiss to her forehead. “You’re finally here,” he says.

“Yeah, finally here,” I say, scanning the room just in time to see Cal making his way over.

Cal—theCapo di Tutti i Capi. The boss of all bosses. He runs New York and oversees the entire Commission, and being theproudbastard he is, he comes straight over to introduce himself.

“Alessio,” he says, shaking my hand firmly before turning his attention to Liv. “And you must be Olivia. I’m Pascale, but you can call me Cal. It’s nice to meet you.”

He extends a hand, and for a split second, she hesitates. Just a quick moment of uncertainty before sheshakes his hand. Gio steps up beside him, clapping a hand on my shoulder. “Congrats, man.”

“Thanks,” I tell him, smirking. “So, when are you gonna tell me about that cupcake you bought?” I toss the question out casually, but we both know what I’m really talking about. The girl he took in Detroit when we shut down Franco’s sting.

Gio chuckles, shaking his head. “That’s a story for another day,” he says, grinning as he moves to take his seat next to Luca and Gian, the Dons from LA and Miami. They heard about Liv and are still a bit hesitant around her.

Seb barely looks up, too busy texting on his phone like he’s got better things to do. Antonio, the old prick, sits there with a permanent scowl, like the mere sight of this wedding is personally offending him. Fucker.

“Don Valachi sends his best, but he had some things to take care of in Boston,” Cal says, sliding his hands into his pockets.

I nod, but my focus shifts back to Liv, watching her take everything in. She’s holding her own, standing tall, but I know she feels the weight of all the eyes in the room.

With introductions out of the way, Dad, Cal, and Antonio make their way to the front of the altar. BeingtheCapoand the elders, they’re supposed to start the ceremony by sealing our marriage with their blessing.

But I need to change the lineup. “Antonio, sit this one out.”