Page 24 of Where Quiet Hearts Scream (Dark Hearts #3)

All too soon, we’re instructed to face each other, so I hand the bouquet to Arrow who, incidentally, looks a little pissed to have to hold a bunch of flowers.

Then I take her left hand too. This time when she lifts her gaze to mine, it’s shy but not terrified.

Not resentful. Just… curious, like she’s trying to figure me out.

I thought I knew what I wanted out of this, but feeling her small hands in mine, her pulse beneath my skin, and seeing her eyes begin to trust a fraction, I lose all recollection.

We say our vows and exchange rings, but it’s all a blur.

The next thing I know, I’m being told I can kiss the bride.

A flash of alarm crosses her face and I gently squeeze her fingers, telling her it’s going to be okay. I bend my neck, bringing my face close to hers, and inhale deeply. Fuck, she even smells perfect. Her beautiful face tilts up toward mine and she blinks nervously.

I can’t close my eyes as I bring my lips down.

I want to remember how she looks the first time I kiss her.

I press my mouth to hers and everything stills.

Her lips are so soft they melt against mine.

They even open slightly, and I inhale a little slice of her breath.

My eyes close against my will and I release her hands so I can slide mine between her shoulder blades to her nape, pulling her body into me.

She’s so warm, so soft, so malleable. Her curves meld against me.

When a small whimper of surprise touches my tongue, shockwaves crash through my bones, heating my veins and pulsing against my skin. This isn’t a kiss. This is a fucking reckoning.

In the distance I hear cheers and claps, but I shut it out, not wanting anything to intrude on this moment. She isn’t pulling away either.

Eventually, I have to release her.

My lids lift lazily. I feel as though I’ve been drugged. Her cheeks are pink, her lips a little swollen. I must have pressed against them hard . Her eyes are wide with surprise, her breasts rising and falling as she regains her breath.

And now I can’t remember what the fuck I’m supposed to do next.

As usual, Arrow comes to my rescue. And as usual, he’s wearing a smirk I’d quite like to wipe off his face with a curled fist. He can tell I’ve momentarily lost my mind over a woman.

He nods toward the back of the church, reminding me that as the married couple we need to head out first and everyone else will follow.

I thread Serafina’s hand through my looped arm and walk her out of the building to more cheers and claps. Benito nods approvingly before darting his hungry gaze back to his girlfriend walking behind us with her sisters.

When we reach the other side of the doors we have only seconds to take each other in before family and guests descend on us.

I want to stare at her, drink in her beauty, maybe even kiss her again, but she can’t even bring herself to look at me.

She turns to face the door and the second Trilby, Tess and Bambi walk through, her hand slips away and she reaches for them.

For comfort, not for celebration.

My heart wants to nosedive into my gut but I remind myself it’s still early days and I will win her around. That kiss was electric . There’s no way she didn’t feel it.

Her silence is deafening as we’re driven to the venue, and my unfulfilled need to feel her skin against mine forces me to clench my fists and breath steadily through my nostrils.

When we arrive at the reception, she disappears quickly in the direction of her family.

“Congratulations brother!” Benito and Arrow approach and take great pleasure in thumping me on the back a little harder than is necessary. Any excuse.

“Time for a toast,” Arrow says, guiding me toward the bar. He orders a round of double measures, then turns to face me with a devious smirk.

“I never thought I’d see the day, boss, but you looked like you actually enjoyed that.”

I chew my lip and turn to Benito. “You next?”

He almost chokes on his tongue but recovers quickly. “If I have my way, yes. Tess thinks she’s too young though. Doesn’t want everyone thinking she’s been knocked up.”

Looking at the way he gazes at her like she’s his last breath, I’m guessing that wouldn’t be such a bad thing. And as I’d be the doting uncle to their offspring, she’d have to at least try to like me.

Cristiano and Trilby approach, offering their congratulations, then Cristiano wastes no time in getting down to business.

“When will you arrive back in Boston?”

“Tomorrow afternoon. Maybe evening.” I’m hoping the evening. I’m hoping I can enjoy more time with Serafina in the morning after our first night together.

“You’ll call?”

“Of course. My capos are ready to welcome your men. They’re champing at the bit to take these gangs down.”

“Will you take a honeymoon?” Benito asks.

My immediate thought is I’ve been honeymooning right up to this point. Now that my marriage to Serafina has solidified my alliance with the Di Santos, I feel like life is just getting started. But I do want to spend time away with Serafina, and I owe it to her.

“My wife and I will have one, but not yet.”

My wife .

Fuck, that punched me hard in the chest. Warmth radiates across my torso and I feel myself getting taller. She’s my wife. I look across at her. Back in the safety of her family, she looks radiant and happy.

For the last few months—hell, years even—my one wish has been to bring the gangs, and my father’s specifically, to their knees. But another wish is now pushing its way to the forefront of my mind. I want to make Serafina Corioni feel as radiant and as happy as she looks now.

I don’t run sprints; I run marathons. And this is one I’m determined to win.