Page 152 of Villainous Kingpin

I had no idea who would be part of this wedding since I had no part in planning it. Truthfully, I had no idea who did, and with such a short period for preparation, I expected it to be a small affair.

I heard a soft sound and turned my head in its direction. The wall rug that hung over the east wall shifted and out of it came Juliette and Ivy.

“Jules!” I gasped, scrambling to my feet. “Ivy! What are you doing here?” And then I threw myself into their arms, wrinkling up their beautiful pink bridesmaid dresses. “I am so glad to see you,” I squealed, blinking my eyes hard and scared I’d ruin my makeup.

“Duh, isn’t it obvious?” Juliette retorted. “Saving you.”

I glanced around after she uttered those words, almost expecting someone to barge into the room and for hell to break loose.

“No saving me,” I whispered. Somehow I wasn’t surprised Juliette would come up with a plan to save me. “I don’t want you in trouble.”

If Bas found them here or overheard Juliette’s words, I feared what he’d do. The man I was marrying today was a different man than the one I walked away from. Besides, I promised him I’d stay.

“The DiLustros are nuts,” Juliette announced. “You can’t marry that looney bin that kidnapped you, no matter what Dad says.”

“And what did Uncle say?” I asked, unsure what to do with the two of them.

Ivy waved her hand. “That you have to pay the debt for the four of us stealing that armored truck.”

Well, that kind of summed it up. But it was a lot more than that.

“Wyn, you cannot do this,” Juliette hissed. “I won’t let you sacrifice yourself.”

“It’s not-” She didn’t let me finish.

“And do you know what Dante DiLustro did?” she continued, her voice high-pitched. “He asked Dad for my hand.”

“For your hand?” I asked, confused.

“He asked Dad to fucking marry me,” she spat out. “I should have cut off his balls rather than kicked him in them.”

I blinked, watching her cheeks flush. My cousin never blushed. Fucking ever. But something about Dante DiLustro got Juliette riled up. Every time.

“What did Uncle tell him?” I asked curiously.

“Fuck no,” she said. “That’s what. Thank fuck. Otherwise, I’d use today to kill him rather than saving your ass. Now let’s go before that freak DiLustro shows up. We have only minutes to clear out of this block.”

The door was wrenched open with a loud thud against the wall, the wood frame rattling. Basilio stood there, his expression dark and stormy.

“You’re going nowhere,” Bas growled. “And you’re certainly not taking my bride. Get out!”

All three of us shrank back at his murderous expression.

He knew that Juliette was all talk. Right?

“Bas, they’re my bridesmaids and best friends,” I choked out, flicking a glance at my friends.

Juliette got herself together, masking her initial reaction, and glared at him. Her hands came to her hips and she took a step, like she’d come at him.

“Listen, DiLustro,” she spat out. “It’s fucking wrong to kidnap people. And now dragging her down the aisle. Have you no shame?” Then she snickered as if she remembered something. “Oh, that’s right. None of you DiLustros have any shame. Like your fucking cousin. Bunch of Italians.” Her eyes came to me, satisfied she gave Bas her piece of mind.

Ivy’s eyes darted between all of us, wide with a flicker of uncertainty.

Bas took a step towards Juliette and towered over her, though he didn’t touch her.

“And you, Juliette, do you have no shame?” he deadpanned, narrowing his eyes on her. “After all, it is you that started this shit when you set that house on fire.”

Juliette flinched and for a moment, I thought she’d start crying.