Page 50 of A Touch of Fate

Giorgia was a stunning bride. Her sweetheart neckline accentuated her showstopper cleavage, and her copper hair contrasted beautifully with the white of her dress.

Renato’s expression was more than appreciative as he took her in, and definitely not fit for church.

I rolled my eyes, annoyed. Samuel squeezed my hand, and I slanted him a look. “Maybe she can get him in line,” he said under his breath as the priest continued the ceremony.

“Made Men can be extremely set in their ways.”

Samuel let out a low chuckle and raised my hand to his lips to kiss my knuckles. The gesture, in public no less, surprised me. “You would know all about it.”

“Indeed,” I whispered, then turned back to the front of the church to watch Renato and Giorgia exchange their vows.

During the congratulations in front of the church, my eyes briefly drifted to Fiorentino and his father.

While the boy gave me a brief smile, still thankful for my help, his father pointedly ignored me.

He was furious because my “meddling” had led to his son being a part of the Outfit.

Afterward, we gathered in a massive ballroom in one of the best hotels in Minneapolis. Giorgia’s mother had picked it because of its sheer size, as she’d invited pretty much everyone she knew.

“Giorgia was worried you’d be mad because their wedding has more guests than ours,” I whispered. Because I was Giorgia’s maid of honor and Samuel was Renato's best manSamuel was Renato's best manSamuel was Renato's best man, we shared a table with their families.

“A man who worries about losing face because his friend has a bigger wedding has already lost.”

I smiled, pleased that Samuel shared my opinion.

“Let me guess: your mother was enraged about the insolence.”

I giggled. “Of course. She’ll be offended for a while.”

Samuel shook his head with a wry smile and took a sip from the champagne.

After dinner, Giorgia and Renato had their dance. I smiled as I watched them, even if Giorgia’s red face told me her husband had said something very naughty. I really hoped she’d manage to rein him in.

When the dance floor opened for the rest of the guests, Samuel rose from his chair and held his hand to me. “Will you give me the honor of a dance?”

I bit my lip with a nod. I took his hand and followed along until we reached the edge of the dance floor. This time, I managed not to roll over Samuel’s feet.

“No bruised feet this time,” he said.

I flushed. “Did you have bruises? I didn’t pay attention to your feet on our wedding night.”

“That’s right. You usually get distracted by the upper half of my body.”

My face grew hot. I looked around at the guests to see if anyone had heard the comment, but the music was too loud. “Samuel.”

He chuckled, obviously amused by my embarrassment.

“Don’t pretend you care about my feet.”

“They look good in heels, so I sometimes look at them,” he said.

The song ended. I licked my lips. “Could we do a dance with me in your arms like at our wedding?”

Samuel bent down and picked me up, then pushed the wheelchair to the side with his foot.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, bringing us closer as he began to sway to the music.

Our gazes locked, and I smiled at how different this dance felt compared to the one at our wedding.

We had been strangers back then, and now we weren’t.

I felt comfortable in Samuel’s arms, safe and at home, and I realized this was the first social event where I had thoroughly enjoyed myself.

“I’m really enjoying myself. You are like my personal shield that keeps away the negative energy.”

Samuel’s lips twitched into a brief smile before the aloof expression he usually had in public returned. “I’m glad you feel that way. I want to shield you from all the darkness in our world.”

I kissed his cheek, but he turned his head and pressed a kiss to my lips. When this song ended, Samuel and I returned to the table. Giorgia was there, talking to her mother and new mother-in-law. She sent me a pleading look. “Can I kidnap Giorgia for a moment?”

“Of course,” Giorgia’s mom said. Samuel leaned down to me. “You leave me here with these two gossipmongers?”

“Sorry. I need you to shield me from their negativity,” I teased.

“I feel tempted to spank you for this, but you’d enjoy it.”

My cheeks burst with heat, and I quickly followed Giorgia, who sent me a questioning look. We crossed the room toward the double doors.

Samuel too escaped the table, obviously not in the mood to chat with the “gossipmongers.” His words about spanking echoed in my mind.

“I’m not sure I want to know what goes on in your head,” Giorgia said as we arrived in the empty hallway.

“Samuel just said something…” I shook my head with an embarrassed smile.

“Everyone could see you two were into each other when you danced. It was really sweet. I’m so happy that things are working out for you.”

I took Giorgia’s hand. She was quieter and more withdrawn than her usual perky self. “I hope you’ll find happiness. Renato can count himself lucky to have you as his wife.”

“Oh, he should definitely count himself lucky, but he only thinks about ways he can get lucky tonight.” She rolled her eyes.

I laughed. “Don’t make it too easy for him.”

“I won’t, trust me.”

The Miones had invited my mother, Danilo, and Sofia to celebrate Christmas with us in their mansion. I was excited to have my brother with me for the festivities. I’d never celebrated Christmas without him and hoped it would stay that way.

Danilo and Sofia stayed in a hotel around the corner from the Mione mansion, not taking us up on our offer to sleep in one of the guest rooms. Danilo probably wasn’t too keen on being under the same roof as Samuel or Pietro.

Samuel and I arrived at his parents’ late in the afternoon on Christmas Eve. They also lived in the Lake of the Isles neighborhood with a beautiful lake view. Their mansion was built at the beginning of the 20 th century and not newly built like our home.

When Samuel and I entered the mansion’s entryway, my eyes grew wide. Beside the old wooden staircase that led to the first floor was a new elevator. It looked like an alien amid the last century decor. I gaped at Ines and Pietro, then peered up at Samuel. “Did you know?”

He nodded with a small smile. “The same elevator company that did the one in our house installed this.”

I was incredibly touched by the gesture. I moved over to Ines and took her hand. “You really didn’t have to do this. This doesn’t match your house’s historic decor.”

Ines let out a small laugh. “We want you to feel at home here, and that requires you to be able to access every part of this mansion. Would you like to try it out?”

I nodded and pressed the button that opened the doors. It was a tube-shaped elevator, with just enough room for my wheelchair and another person. I rode to the first floor, then back down again and grinned. “It’s perfect, thank you!”

The doorbell rang, and Pietro opened the door for Danilo, Mom, and Sofia. They had just arrived today, so I hadn’t seen them yet.

After greeting Ines and Pietro, Mom immediately came toward Samuel and me.

She gave him a dazzling smile before she pulled him into an enthusiastic hug.

Danilo gave me a look that almost made me burst out laughing.

After hugging Mom, too, I moved toward Danilo to give Mom some time to schmooze Samuel, as she seemed very intent on doing.

“At least Mom shows some enthusiasm about her new family.”

Danilo bent down and hugged me. “If I hugged your husband like that, he’d kick my ass. Neither of us are into public displays of affection, and my affection is still limited with him.”

I pursed my lips. “You should try to like him. He’s my husband.”

“Is he a good one? Then I might consider it.”

“Are you a good husband?”

Danilo glanced at Sofia, who stood beside Ines with an arm wrapped around her. Something in his gaze had definitely changed since I’d last seen those two, and when she looked back at him, I realized the same could be said for her eyes. “I think you’re doing better.”

Danilo sent me a stern look, but I merely smiled. Samuel came to my side, probably worried Danilo was asking too many questions about him.

We finally moved into the living room, where a huge real fir illuminated the room with dozens of real candles on its branches.

Dinner was delicious, but I was utterly stuffed after four courses.

Danilo and Sofia excused themselves for a short walk along the lake while Ines went upstairs to look for the photo albums she wanted to show us.

Pietro disappeared into their wine cellar to look for a special drink for the occasion.

Samuel and I went out into the garden to enjoy some fresh air and solitude. I sucked in a deep breath. It was bitterly cold outside. Samuel shrugged out of his jacket and draped it over me.

“Your brother is practically undressing my sister with his eyes,” Samuel muttered as he released my shoulders after a moment.

I stifled laughter. “Sofia did the same, you know?” It had been quite embarrassing and endearing at the same time. I hoped I never looked at Samuel like that, considering I felt the same strong pull toward him that Sofia felt toward my brother. I tried not to think about it too much.

Samuel looked as if he’d chewed something very bitter. “I feel very tempted to leer at you the remainder of the evening just to spite Danilo.”

I laughed. “That’s horrible and childish.” I pursed my lips. “And I don’t want you to leer at me for any other reason than because you feel like it.”

Samuel cupped my chin and tilted my head up, then braced himself on my wheelchair with his other hand, bringing our faces very close together.

“Trust me, Emma, I always want to undress you with my eyes and my hands, but unlike your brother, I have an ounce of decency and won’t do it around my parents. ”