Page 154 of Villainous Kingpin

His father had done this to him. His mother had done this to him when she left him as a boy. I left him. And now that he found me, he believed I’d leave him again.

The moment the guests saw us, a soft murmur spread through the church. There were no sounds of awes and soft gasps. Instead, I was met with shocked gazes and loud murmurs.

The walk down the aisle of the massive church was over too quick. The music played announcing my walk. The white and red rose petals covered my path and I found it ironic that it matched our story. Blood and innocence. Except there were no innocents here.

Unconcerned with anyone else, Bas’ steps were rushed, and he didn’t stop until we stood in front of the altar, a shocked priest staring at us. So did a hundred or so guests. I recognized some; others I didn’t.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Uncle Liam and Killian step forward, furious looks on their faces. My eyes sought out my mother, but she just sat there with a slightly empty look on her face.

Basilio’s groomsmen, dressed in vests and dark dress pants, wore no jackets but holsters were clearly visible. Three groomsmen. Dante DiLustro, Priest, and Killian.

Three bridesmaids. Juliette, Ivy, and Bas’ sister, Emory. My eyes flicked back to Mom, wondering if she saw Priest?

It would seem Killian and Emory were thrown to the wolves, to stand on the wrong side of the fighting ring.

My eyes connected with my best friends’ gazes. Comfort. Support. Love. And of course, their shock.

“What the fuck are you doing, DiLustro?” Uncle snapped angrily. “Get your hands off of her. We agreed on marriage, not to you abusing my niece.”

Bas’ grip on my hand tightened and a small whimper escaped me.

“Get your hands off her, DiLustro,” Sasha warned, showing up out of nowhere and gun already pointed at Bas. “Or I’ll kill you. Right now!”

Sasha’s brothers came to stand behind him, Quinn stood right behind Uncle and Killian, while Dante and Priest came behind Bas. The only ones that seemed unconcerned with this volcano about to erupt were the Ashford brothers. Though they did come to stand behind Bas.

“You go too far, DiLustro,” Sasha growled, his eyes furious on Bas. “For this, you’ll die.”

Oh my God!

There’d be bloodshed in the church. On my wedding day. In front of all the guests. The Ashfords. Nikolaevs. The Morrellis. The fucking world.

I shook my head, unable to utter a single word.

“Try to take her away from me and I’ll kill you,” Bas roared as he shuffled me to his left and pulled out a gun from under his tuxedo. His eyes narrowed on Uncle and Sasha. “You and your entire fucking family.”

The buzzing in my ears drowned out the guests’ murmurs. Blood rushed through my veins.

“He doesn’t mean it,” I breathed, shaking my head. I shoved at Bas and came to stand in the middle. “It was just a misunderstanding,” I told them all, my eyes darting around. “It’s all good. Please for fuck’s sake, put your guns away.”

Whoever planned this wedding should be fired!

CHAPTER63

Wynter

The priest performed the ceremony, shaking like a leaf against the breeze.

The ceremony and words uttered during it were a haze. I focused on my breathing and people that would kill Bas if I lost my shit.

Do. Not. Lose. Your. Shit.

I loved my villain. It was stupidity. Suicide. Except that I couldn’t forget his smiles. How he caught me from the balcony. The way he slipped the shoes onto my bare feet.

That was so damn pathetic even without saying it out loud. He kidnapped me, drugged me, and I loved him. He was psychotic. Maybe I was too.

Bas whispered his vows into my ear, his words a dark promise. “Nobody will separate me from you. Not gods. Not heaven. Not hell. You’ll forever be mine. I’ll have you, and you’ll have me. Until death do us part.”

I couldn’t decide whether it was a romantic vow or just a mad obsessive one.