Page 155 of Villainous Kingpin

Basilio’s strong hand took mine and without hesitation slipped the ring onto my finger. My heart drummed vigorously under my rib cage but my fingers didn’t tremble. My face was a perfect mask.

In front of a hundred witnesses, our fate was sealed. The unfamiliar faces of New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, New Orleans, and even Washington witnessed the union. The shackles were permanently placed on me.

But none of them knew I accepted those shackles nine months ago because I fell in love with the monster.

My eyes darted to Davina. She had married my uncle. It wasn’t under perfect circumstances and they made it work. They were happy. But they didn’t have the history that the two of our families had.

“You may kiss the bride.” The priest’s words penetrated my thoughts.

I raised my head and met Basilio’s dark, liquid gaze. Those eyes that swept me off my feet from the moment he caught me that night. It seemed ages ago, like it happened to two different people. He wasn’t the same; neither was I.

He bent his towering frame to bridge the distance between us and he took my mouth without hesitation. Our first kiss as husband and wife. Soft. Possessive. Heartbreaking.

My lips parted, the warmth of his lips a welcomed sensation. His tongue brushed over my lower lip and a moan filled the air between us.

I took his lower lip between my teeth and bit hard into it. His body stiffened but he didn’t jerk back. Nothing. He ended the kiss, his tongue sweeping over the sting, as if he relished in the pain.

Our eyes remained locked as he pulled back, something dark and possessive in the depths of his stare. A shudder passed through me, though I wasn’t certain whether it was in anticipation or fear.

He took my hand and a tight smile masked his expression as we walked down the aisle past the guests and towards the exit of the church. Outside, the limo already waited for us and we headed straight for it.

“Wait, I want to ride with-”

“You’re riding with me,” he growled, a warning clear in his voice.

“Shouldn’t we thank the guests?” I rasped. “I barely got to see my family. My mom.”

I still couldn’t believe she was back in New York. It would have been okay if she couldn’t have made it, especially considering how she reacted after seeing Bas and Dante. Uncle hasn’t said much and I hoped they didn’t sedate her to convince her to come.

“We’ll do that at the reception.”

The whole drive to the reception, Basilio’s Hampton beach estate, the air between us was so tense, you could slice it with a knife.

CHAPTER64

Wynter

Basilio and I stood by the archway, his hand holding mine. Like the perfect wedding couple.

His Hampton home was very elaborate. Too elaborate for someone so young; it seemed a bit extravagant. The white marble building could easily house thirty people. There was a line of expensive cars that circled the driveway. They all belonged to Bas.

Dozens of waiters waited outside holding glasses of champagne at the ready, along with small trays of appetizers.

As we stood, waiting for the first guests to arrive, we’d almost appear like happy newlyweds.Almost.

He bent down, his lips brushing my ear and whispered, “Smile, principessa.”

His hot breath sent a delightful shudder down my spine and memory flashed in my mind.

“I found you.” His breath was hot in my ear as our bodies moved together, the slow tunes of his car speakers filling the air. The stars flickered above us and the city lights shone in the distance, but all I felt and saw was him. “I want your lips and your body because you want to give it. Not because you want to repay the debt.”

Those times with him, I was the happiest. I never thought it would bring us here. The memories tasted slightly bitter after everything that had happened but I still wouldn’t trade them for anything. Those were fuel for my heartbeat, regardless of whether it was in pain.

I opened my mouth to assure him, again, that I really wasn’t going to run, when the first guests arrived in front of us. Uncle and Davina, along with their newborn. A handsome baby boy, Aiden.

“You good?” Uncle grumbled, his eyes on me like he expected to find evidence of abuse. I didn’t put it past him to kill Bas and call this whole charade over.

I forced my brightest smile. “Yes, wonderful.” From the corner of my eye, I could see Bas eyeing me suspiciously. Uncle studied me too, and somehow, I doubted either one of them was fooled. “Is Mom okay?”