Page 48 of Vincenzo (The DiMaggio Crime Family #3)

VINCENZO

SEVERAL MONTHS LATER

“I can’t believe the day is here,” Izzy says as we stand in the hallway outside of the bridal suite. “I wasn’t totally sure she’d make it down the aisle, to be honest.”

“She hasn’t made it down the aisle yet,” I say with a chuckle.

Izzy swats me in the chest with the back of her hand. “Don’t say that.” She scowls.

I shrug. “Hey, we’re all thinking it.”

“I don’t understand why she’s going through with this,” Teo grumbles. “She’s never wanted to marry into our world, so why now?”

Izzy shrugs and says, “I don’t know,” but her lack of eye contact and fidgeting of her fingers tells me she does. “She likes the guy.”

I scoff and raise a brow at her. “I don’t believe that.”

“He’s really not a bad guy,” she says with a shrug.

“That’s not the point. It still doesn’t negate the fact that she has always been very vocal about not marrying into our world, so why the sudden change of heart?” Teo says.

“Look,” Lux interjects. “I think instead of standing out here questioning her marital choices, we should be inside making sure she’s ready for the biggest day of her life.”

“Aww, that’s really sweet, Lux, but let’s be real,” I say. “This wedding is a sham. She doesn’t even like the dude.”

“Yes, she does,” she defends, but when she looks around the hallway at all of us and sees no one else defending her, she quickly adds, “I mean, she’ll probably grow to like him.”

“Kind of like you and Teo, huh?” I say with a smirk. “Ever so optimistic of you, Lux.”

Rolling her eyes, she says, “Hey, all I’m saying is if things can turn out well for me and Teo, I think she stands a strong chance. I mean look at you and Amalia. You both hated each other, and now you’re newlyweds.”

I glance down at Amalia who’s cradled so damn perfectly into my side. She looks up at me, and I swear she looks even more gorgeous than ever before. How is it possible that every time I look at my wife, it’s like the first time I’m seeing something so incredibly beautiful in my life?

She smiles up at me and says, “Why’re you looking at me like that?”

“How’re you not used to it yet, Little Hellion?” I respond with a smile.

She giggles, and I give her a peck on those crimson lips I’ll never get enough of.

“See,” Lux says with an I told you so smirk on her face. “I really think things will work out for her.”

“Now that’s the kind of attitude we need today,” Izzy says, then holds up a reprimanding finger and waves it between me and Teo. “Don’t ruin this day for her, or I’ll ruin you both.”

“Hey, all I’m saying is it’s a complete one-eighty from what she’s always said,” Teo says, holding up his hand in defense. “Make it make sense.”

“She’s a big girl, Teo. She’s allowed to change her mind,” Izzy says.

He raises a brow at her and says, “Right, but it’s pretty obvious she’s not doing this for love.”

“That’s not for you to dissect, babe,” Lux says. “Izzy’s right, she knows what she’s doing. We just need to be here for her on her big day. Can you both adhere to that?” she asks, looking between my brother and me.

“I’m offended you think I wouldn’t,” I say, shock lacing my tone.

“You and Teo are walking her down the aisle. If I see either of you whispering to her while doing so, I’ll march up that aisle and yank you both by the ear out of the ceremony,” Lux scolds.

What is this? Gang up on Teo and Enzo day?

“I think my sister’s rubbing off on you, Lux, and I’m not sure I like it,” I say.

“Hey, that’s—” Izzy’s jaw drops. “Oh my gosh!” she shrieks, and we all look at her with concern. “The baby just kicked,” she squeals, rubbing her hand over the top of her stomach.

“Seriously?” Lux gasps. “Ours just did too!”

“These two really are practically twins, huh?” Izzy gushes to Lux.

“I still don’t believe you two didn’t plan this shit,” I say, pointing to both of their bellies. “No way you guys are due a week apart and didn’t plan it.”

“We’re actually due five days apart,” Izzy says.

“Yeah, like I said, you two fucking planned it.”

“We really didn’t. It was just meant to be that our girls have each other to grow up with,” Lux says with a smile while she and Teo cradle her swollen belly.

“Did you feel her that time?” she says excitedly to Teo who’s beaming down at her with the biggest smile I’ve ever fucking seen on his face.

“I did.” He places a light kiss on her cheek.

“I need to go find Nicco,” Izzy says excitedly. “He loves feeling her kick, and he texted a little bit ago that he was on his way, so he should be here by now.”

“Uhh, what about the bride?” I ask.

“Oh, hush, I’ll be right back. The bride is all ready. We just need to give her a shot of tequila.”

Teo raises a brow at Izzy.

“What?” she says with a shrug. “It’s to calm the pre-wedding jitters. Everyone does it.”

“Did you do it when you married Nicco?” he asks.

“Well, no, but that’s different.”

“Exactly,” Teo says. “She needs a shot because she doesn’t want to go through with this, so I’d really appreciate it if one of you”—he looks between Lux and Izzy—“tells us what’s going on.”

The girls exchange a look, and I glance down at Amalia whose lips fall into a straight line, and she gives me a shrug.

“Wait a second, do you know what’s going on too?” I ask.

“I mean, I am a bridesmaid.”

“Amalia, you’ve been quiet this entire time.”

“Look, Lux and Izzy are right. She needs all of our support today. Can we please just rally behind her and make this day as enjoyable as possible for her?” she says, and I think those are the words Teo and I needed to hear to finally let this go.

She’s a strong, independent, successful woman.

She could have anyone she wants. I know there’s an underlying reason that Teo and I don’t know about when it comes to this wedding, but she’s smart.

She doesn’t deserve to have this day ruined by us, so if letting it go is what we have to do, then fuck … we’ll let it go.

Teo lets out a sigh, and I know he’s thinking the same thing I’m thinking. “Fine,” he says. “We won’t ruin this day for her?—”

“Thank you,” Izzy says, jumping the gun because I know Teo’s about to follow up his submission with a threat.

“But I swear if I?—”

The door behind Izzy swings open, drawing all our surprised attention to Liana who’s fully dressed—hair and makeup done—for her wedding. “You know I can hear you guys, right?”

“Oh, Liana, I’m so sorry,” Izzy says, whipping around to face her.

“You have nothing to be sorry about,” she says. “I know my girls have my back.” She glances around at Amalia, Lux, and Izzy.

I should’ve known Amalia knew the truth behind this wedding. Izzy, Lux, and Liana were quick to welcome her into their trio, but I assumed if she knew something I would’ve been the first to know.

I can’t lie and say I’m not a little fucking salty she didn’t tell me, but also, something about it has me giddy as fuck knowing she’s made a family within my own. That she has a solid fucking group of friends here after leaving her home in Miami.

Ignoring what the girls told me to do, I say, “Liana, I gotta ask—” Amalia shoves her elbow deep into my ribs, and I cough, trying to cover up the sharp pain while Teo chuckles off to the side.

After I regain my composure, Liana says, “What were you going to ask?”

I glance down at Amalia, and her glare is sharp on mine. Fuck me and those honey-colored eyes.

Bringing my attention back up to Liana, I say, “Just wanted to see if you’re ready for the most romantic wedding of the season,” I say enthusiastically. Well, if that isn’t déjà vu. That shit brings me right back to when Teo ambushed Lux with their wedding.

Liana gives us a small smile while she looks around at all of us—the only family she’s been left with in this world—and says, “Yeah, I am. I know we might’ve started off on the wrong foot, but I’m really happy about this decision.”

“ Really happy? You don’t exactly sound like a woman in lo?—”

Amalia shoves her elbow into my ribs again. The same fucking spot.

“I mean—” I cough. “I’m so fucking happy for you.” Cough .

Liana laughs and shakes her head, ignoring the scene me and Amalia are so blatantly making at this point.

Once I’ve gathered my composure from Amalia’s second assault, I lean down, breathing in her vanilla scent, and say, “You’re lucky I’m so fucking in love with you, Little Hellion.”

She gazes up at me with a twinkle in her eye and a quirk in her brow. “I know. I love you too, baby. Now, you and Teo go and meet Nicco downstairs. The ceremony’s about to start.”

“Alright, alright, alright. But I’m going to tell you I told you so when this charade blows up in everyone’s faces,” I whisper to her.

Amalia looks at Liana who’s standing by the table watching Izzy pour her a shot. “I don’t know,” she says looking back at me. “I have a good feeling about those two. Besides, everyone’s right. If we can make it, I think they can too.”

I chuckle. “We’ll see.” Leaning down, I give her a kiss and say, “Save me a dance tonight, will you?”

“Always,” she responds, and I keep that gorgeous fucking smile in my head as I walk away knowing I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in my life.

THE END