Page 26 of Merciless Queen (Moretti Mafia #1)

Harlow

When I was a little girl watching Disney movies, I dreamt of my wedding.

I wanted a big wedding, with my mom walking me down the aisle.

I wanted to look like a princess marrying the love of my life.

Little me didn’t understand why I liked the princess more than the prince, but growing up, it didn’t matter.

My choice was ripped away from me, and even now, I wasn’t getting a choice. Caterina may not have been forcing me, but I didn’t have another option. Marrying her would be my savior, and in a few years when Vincenzo was dead, maybe I could move on with my fucked-up existence and find true happiness.

There was something tugging in my chest when I saw Caterina, and it scared me.

Not because of the feeling itself, but because of the domineering woman.

She was…She was starting to feel like peace.

She would let me sleep in her bed every night, even though I had my own room.

I used my own room; I just didn’t sleep in there.

Maybe I needed to talk to Serena about these feelings.

Was it love? No. It couldn't be. Loving her wasn’t in the picture, but what if it was?

What if this could be a reality without the messy feud with Vincenzo?

What if we met in another life? I sighed, running my hand down the black dress and looking at myself in the mirror.

Finding a dress I felt comfortable in was a tedious task, but with Lizzy’s help, I found one.

The long, shimmery, black evening gown was a little too revealing, but it made me feel sexy, which I’d never felt before.

If I was playing a wife, I wanted her to have a good one.

Even if it was a sham. The dress had a deep V-neck bodice that revealed plenty of cleavage, with thin straps that connected to a low scoop back.

Ruching at the hips gave it a fitted shape that flattered my figure.

There was a slit up to my hip which made me scared of the attention, but it was an engagement party.

No one should’ve gotten handsy, and if they did, I would hope that Caterina’s men would handle them.

At least, I hoped she cared enough to want to protect me from slimy men.

“You look beautiful,” Elizabeth said as she finished the final touches on my hair.

I ran my fingers up my bare arms. “I feel exposed, and my back…my scars. I don’t know why I wanted to wear this dress.”

“You wanted to feel beautiful. I have a black sheer wrap that will go with it. You can cover your back. You look beautiful, Harlow. Everyone knows you are with Caterina, and?—”

“I’m not really with her, Lizzy. It’s fake. It’s a sham.”

She brushed my hair out of my face. “Okay? In that room with those strangers, you will be with Cat. She will keep you safe.”

“Do you really think I look nice? Even with my scars and how my body looks?”

“Yes. Even with all these flaws you see, you look breathtaking. You’re beautiful, Harlow. There’s life coming back to those beautiful brown eyes, sweet girl. You aren’t the same broken girl I held in my arms as I cried.”

I gave her a forced smile. “D-Do you think anyone would want me? You know, after this is over?”I didn’t know why I was worried about a future relationship when I could barely have anyone touch me, but I wanted someone to reassure me that my life wasn’t fully destroyed and that there was hope.

“Yes. I don’t care what he told you. You aren’t damaged goods.

You aren’t a whore. You are a survivor. A warrior.

A phoenix. You’re so strong, Harlow.” She beamed as I forced back tears.

“When you do meet the right person, they will love you regardless. They will love you and cherish every part of you. They will help you fight your demons and burn the world for you.”

“I’m really glad you have Luca.”

“Me too. Now, let's get you down there.”

A month ago, I never thought I would be in a house like this or in a beautiful dress with a diamond ring that didn’t belong to Vincenzo.

I never thought I would be free—well, freer than I was with Vincenzo.

Caterina didn’t hold me against my will, but I knew the moment I left without her protection, I’d be taken again.

Even with her safety, I could be taken again.

Vincenzo was a desperate man. He wanted me.

He allowed horrible things to be done to me and called me…

It didn’t matter now, but it was hard trying to get out of that headspace.

Lizzy took my hand and walked me to the ballroom where we were having this party.

Caterina’s house was magnificent, and now that it was decorated with white and champagne accents, it was even more magical.

I felt like I was in a storybook. Maybe I could pretend this was my fairytale ending, when in reality I was just a broken Cinderella never meeting her fairy godmother.

Coming downstairs, I felt all eyes on me.

I pushed back the bile burning my throat and cascaded downstairs like a princess.

I just needed to keep on a facade that everything was okay and hope I didn’t tumble down the stairs and embarrass myself.

Waiting at the bottom of the staircase was Caterina.

I expected her to be in a suit, but to my surprise, she was in a beautiful scarlet dress that hugged her gorgeous body like a second skin.

The strapless, corset bodice made her breasts look magnificent, but also if she moved, I was sure everyone would get a free show.

The corset was sheer with sequin embellishments, and a fitted mermaid skirt that hugged her hips and ass.

Her makeup was light. A simple cat eye with a bold red lip that matched the dress, and her hair was curled and pinned on one side while the rest of her hair cascaded down her back and left side.

She was looking at me like I was the only person in the room, and right now, I was not sure if it was pretend or real.

I took her hand, and she pulled me into her. “ Sei bellissima, principessa .” You look beautiful, princess.

“You know I don’t speak Italian.”

“You look beautiful.”

My cheeks flushed. “T-Thank you. I was…I am nervous about this dress and people looking at me.”

She pushed the stray curl behind my ear. “Don’t worry about them. No one can hurt you here.”

“It’s not them hurting me that I’m worried about,” I admitted. “I have scars, and I’m not that pretty, Caterina. You’re…gorgeous and I’m…I’m damaged. You should b?—”

Caterina gently caressed my face, silencing me momentarily before she leaned into me.

“May I kiss you?” It was a whisper, but she was asking for my consent.

Something elementary shouldn’t have made my heart flutter like it did, but for years, things as simple as kisses were stolen from me.

It was a simple request, but she didn’t realize the magnitude of it.

I should have said no, but I nodded, speechless.

Her lips were soft against mine as I melted into her.

This was for show, but I was still freaking out.

We were in a room full of strangers, and I was failing at pretending.

It was a show, and my acting wouldn’t win me any Oscars.

A kiss meant nothing, but this kiss felt…

My God, how could I describe this kiss? I was drowning in the taste of her, and suddenly, it felt like I could breathe for the first time.

And that was when I knew this kiss would be my downfall, because falling for her wasn’t in the picture.

“You talk too much. You are beautiful, Harlow, and if anyone has a problem or says anything to you, I will deal with them.”

All I did was nod. I couldn’t process words as she pulled me deeper into the crowd of people.