Page 13 of Wicked Throne

Goddamn it, how hadn't I seen this coming?

Chapter 7

Thierry

"Don't you know it's bad luck to see the bride before your nuptials?" Enzo asked.

I glared at my little brother. He was only younger by a year and a half and he took his role as the younger sibling seriously. I had rescued him a time or two in the past but he had started to come into his own.

"You don't know Diamond," I growled over the glass of whiskey the bartender had poured.

I surveyed the room and took in the high society crowd of Atlanta. Men and women were dressed in all of their fineries. There was no doubt in my mind that this was going to be one of the most talked-about events of the year in this part of the country. My blood pulsed at the thought of how much money was in this room. This was a place to make connections but I didn't want to do business on my wedding day.

Then my eyes landed on Detective Nathan West.

He was related to Diamond through her mother and I knew for a fact that they were lovers. Even though he was married to Elana West and had three children with her, he had been fucking his cousin for several years. Stepping away from Enzo, I decided that it was just about time me and my bride's lover finally had an interaction. It was a shame that it was going to be in front of his wife who was doting on him at the moment and smiling at him lovingly.

Ignorance was bliss....until it wasn't.

There was no way in hell Diamond was going to have a relationship with another man, not while she was married to me. In a matter of minutes, she was going to be walking down the aisle and joined in matrimony with me. I would own her and all she held dear.

Nathan West was not going to be in the picture much longer.

"And you must be, Nathan," I stuck out my hand. "We haven't had the chance to meet but Diamond has told me so much about you. Nearly everything."

Nathan's shiny grin faltered when his gaze landed on me.

Yeah motherfucker, I know,I thought.

Nathan downed the champagne in his glass and looked at my hand which he didn't shake. "She hasn't told me much about you, I'm afraid."

I sensed he was challenging me. The air had turned electric. "And you must be Elana West...Diamond has told me about you as well. I'm excited that you two could come and witness our wedding."

Gently Elena stuck out her hand and smiled all while hunching her husband. "You're being rude babe. Mr. Scarpetta thank you for having us. It was nice to finally get out of the house for the night."

I gave a slight smile. "No, Mr. West is just being a cautious man. After all, I'm marrying his favorite cousin."

"Those two are as thick as thieves," Elana spoke again. "I am certainly hoping that you and Diamond will be stopping by after your honeymoon. I cook a decent meal every once in a while."

"I would love that," I nodded. "If you'll excuse me, now. Detective West, it was good to make your acquaintance finally and Mrs. West, yours as well."

Their faces became a blur. I turned and headed straight for the bar. Of course, after an interaction like that, I wanted more liquor. Guest were milling around and the air seemed to have become thick and perfumed. I wanted to cough.

I wanted to run.

Duty, I thought.

Diamond's father and my father had struck this deal. The Scarpettas would emerge victorious in this sham, all I had to do was marry the southern belle from hell and everything would be mine. Her father's drug empire would blend with the dwindling Scarpetta Cosa Nostra and replenish their ranks and money would flow in.

I was so assured of success that I was meeting with five old-world Sicilian families in just a few days.

Success was assured, the thought came into my mind just as the bartender slammed a glass down with dark liquor in front of me. There was a block of ice inside the glass surrounded by the liquid. It seemed to take up most of the glass. I felt a hand clap my back and turned to find my father standing there.

"My boy, are you ready?" He asked.

Damn!

Vito could just pop up at the moments when I just wanted a little peace.