Page 41 of Dark Breaker

Yes, in a few days time, I’m going to be Fabio D’Alimonte’s. I’ve already resigned myself to that fate.

It won’t be so bad.

I hope.

I head to my room and slide the engagement ring onto my finger. Once again I can’t help the faint feeling of hope that wells inside me, and I remember the two times Fabio rescued me.

This might actually work out.

The key, I think, will be having enough enemies to distract us.

Because without them, I don’t know how we’re going to avoid being at each other’s throats.

6

Fabio

I’ve been hesitant to launch any sort of reprisal attack against the Jackal because I’m worried about an escalation. Already the Tunisians tried to kidnap Rosa. If I do anything, I know they’ll try again, but this time they’ll send far more men. They might even try to assassinate her, rather than take her.

I’ve talked to Massimo, tried to convince him to add more guards to watch Rosa, but he refuses. When she’s under my care, that’s going to change.

A lot of things are going to change.

Anyway, for now I have to concentrate on this wedding. Or rather, surviving it. And I don’t mean because I’m worried about a Tunisian attack.

That said, I do have more than enough security in place. The church is surrounded by men from all three families. D’Alimontes, Morettis, Amatos.

Father sent his regards, and expressed his regrets that he wouldn’t be able to walk the bride down the aisle. I wonder which of her brothers she’s going to pick. She hasn’t told me, and I haven’t asked. I haven’t tried to text or call her since the incident at the fundraiser, and I haven’t logged into social media. The only member of her family I’ve been in contact with is Massimo.

The wedding will take place shortly. All I can do is pace back and forth in a side room. There’s still time to back out. There always is. But can I really do it now, with all the guests we’ve invited? No, of course not. I have to go through with this. The social pressure is too great.

Finally, it’s time. I find myself standing at the front of the church, waiting for my bride to do her traditional walk down the aisle. Nicolo is next to me, acting as my best man, while Rosa’s brothers stand on the other side, serving as her bridesmen: Massimo, Stefano, Enrico, Roberto. Angela, the matron of honor, is beside them. That means Luciano will escort Rosa.

I scan the crowd seated in the pews. There are a lot of familiar faces here. Definitely won’t be able to back out now. I have to go through with this.

The music starts. Sure enough, Rosa emerges with Luciano at her side. I hardly notice him, though. My eyes are on Rosa. I feel my breath catch in my throat, and all the doubts I had before this moment vanish.

She’s dressed in a stunning black wedding gown. It’s perfect for her. Her tanned thigh peeks sensually from a slit on the rightmost section of her gown as she walks, while the flowery brocade on her bodice is absent on that same side; both of those features match the competing style of her hair—shaven on one side, long the other—which to me only serves to emphasize her dual nature, she who is both beauty and beast.

This is the first time I’ve ever seen her wear more than a light dusting of makeup, and she looks incredibly beautiful. With my gaze, I trace the subtle dark outline around her eyes, the highlighter on her nose and temples, the bronzer contouring her brows and cheeks. That smooth, red lipstick. Incredible.

When Luciano hands her off to me, he does so with a final scowl. I don’t think he’s ever going to like me, considering I shot him. Ah well, I don’t care all that much. As he takes his place among his brothers, I don’t see even a trace of a limp. Either’s he’s fully healed, or he’s good at hiding it in front of everyone.

I return my gaze to Rosa. I see a curious mix of emotions in her eyes. Worry. A hint of excitement. But mostly, defiance. Good, I look forward to breaking her. There’d be no fun in this, otherwise.

I turn to face the priest, as does Rosa, and I’m hardly listening as he babbles on about how we as a couple are so happy to share this wonderful day with everyone. I stare at the wall past his shoulder, tuning him out, imagining what I’m going to do to Rosa tonight. I start getting hard. No one will see, my pants are too tight for that, but it’s definitely uncomfortable. Still, I can’t help it.

And then the priest is looking at me expectantly.

I furrow my brow, then glance at Rosa. She’s scowling furiously and subtly shakes her head.

I grin and say: “I do.”

The priest nods in approval, then turns toward Rosa.

“Do you, Rosa Moretti, take this man to be your husband, to live together in holy matrimony, to love him, to honor him, to comfort him, and to keep him in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?”

I glance at Rosa and raise both of my eyebrows mockingly.