Page 142 of Vows of a Mobster

“I like them too. It’s just-” She searched for words, and I waited. It wasn’t easy for her to open her feelings and thoughts. “It’s been a while since I had a family so it feels a bit awkward for me. I think the last time there was so much commotion with family around the table was before my mother left Dad.”

I shifted slightly so I could see her face. “Didn’t your stepdad have a family?”

“He was an only child and his parents didn’t like my mom so we never saw them.” Her gaze traveled to our family, buzzing with life. Emma felt at home with them, running from one person to the next one. “Not that I could blame them. She is not very likeable.”

That is an understatement.

“Brianna.” Her deep brown eyes met my gaze. There was so much vulnerability and softness in them, I could stare in her eyes and drown. “Do you want your mom to be at the wedding?”

I didn’t want her here but wanted it to be Brianna’s choice. If she wanted her mother here, I would make it happen but would have her watched every single second and keep ten men around my wife to be. I would even order one of my people to pat her down to ensure she wasn’t armed.

“No.” She didn’t hesitate. “I never want to see her or talk to her again.”

Good.

“I’m fine with it,” I told her.More than fine.“I wanted you to have a choice.”

She took a deep breath. “She wouldn’t come anyhow. I called her before I took the job at your company. I asked her-” I watched her carefully. There was undertone of hurt in her voice but her face portrayed none of it. This was the daughter that hid it all from a young age. “I told her Emma was sick and needed a matching donor. She cut me off and told me never to call her again.”

“She doesn’t matter,” I said. “And you will never be alone again. We will find a donor for Emma.”

She looked at her hands resting against my chest and I set mine over hers. She raised her head to lock her gaze with mine.

“Dr. Guzman called earlier. It was the reason I wasn’t dressed when you came up,” her voice was soft. “He thinks he has a good match. I’m just scared to believe it.”

“Believe it, amore. And when Emma is recovered, we’ll go to Italy and spend all summer at my villa by the sea.”

They have become my world, and I want to give them the world.

Fifty

Brianna

“Ican’t believe this is happening,” I repeated the words to my reflection in the mirror.

Emma ran circles around me, eager to get started. As crazy as it sounded, it was her that kept me from completely freaking out - or chickening out.

“I’m getting married,” I muttered under my breath. And there wasn’t a single family member here with me. Not that there was anyone left to invite. I meant what I told Mateo last night. As far as I was concerned, my mother wasn’t my family. She turned her back on me a long time ago; it just took a long time to come to terms with it.

We were getting married in the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, ironically located in the South End neighborhood, which was considered the Irish neighborhood. Of course, I didn’t know that but Daphne explained it to me on our way to the church. It was the reason why Mateo had a small army surrounding the church and securing every street that led back to his place. It was another element that kept me on edge. It was like I was getting married in a war zone, which looked like the city of Boston. Apparently, Mateo was a large contributor, which was the reason the bishop accommodated him so willingly for a speedy wedding.

The cathedral was magnificent, styled in the Gothic Revival style.

The ceremony was about to start. The Cathedral of the Holy Cross was completely packed. The last two days were a haze, everything happening with Marissa’s and Daphne’s arrangement. I was hopeless when it came to organization; I had no idea what to do. The wedding dress was my one and only task and it was pulled off only thanks to Marissa. She threw around Mateo’s name like it was the golden candy and the seamstress along with her team worked for two days and two nights to make it happen.

The wedding dress was custom made and took my breath away. It was a form-fitting, long sleeved ball gown with a low cut back and delicately embellished sheer tulle bodice and organza skirt with floral pattern and sequins, ending with the train that flared out. The veil matched the sheer of the gown.

“You look like a princess, Mommy.” I teared up, kneeling down and hugging my daughter. This was a new start, a better start for us. I knew it. I truly felt like a princess. Somehow, Mateo had swept me off my feet and became my prince.

“You are my princess,” I spoke softly, pressing a kiss against her cheek. “You are my life, baby.”

She wrapped her chubby hands around my neck and I hugged her tightly. My life had changed so much from the moment I found out I was pregnant. But I wouldn’t change any of it. I just wished I could be the one to bear the illness instead of my precious baby.

“Brie,” Marissa’s soft voice came behind me and I almost collapsed in relief. I gave one more hug to my daughter then straightened out. I turned around and was shocked to see Declan there with Marissa.

“I was scared you wouldn’t come,” I said, my eyes darting between the two of them.

“Hello, Brianna,” Declan smiled, his eyes traveling down my body. “You look stunning.” Then he looked at Emma and added, “And you, my princess. We’ll have to make sure no boys come around.”