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Isabetta

E verything was perfect.

I had dreamed about this day since I was a little girl, ever since my mother had sat me down at eight-years-old and told me Renzo wasn’t only a friend of the family.

He was the man I was promised to. One day, he was going to be my husband, and the two of us would bring our families together.

It was going to make everyone so happy and proud; create a better life for all of us.

Staring up into his eyes now was the culmination of all those years.

Every single moment. The fights we’d had as teenagers, the tears I’d cried, the memories made, the smiles we’d shared.

It was all worth it to be standing here reciting our vows, as he slid the ring onto my finger.

His wings were tucked tight against his back; the red and gold feathers boldly contrasting against the black of his suit.

My mother sniffled in the front row while the priest spoke, and I darted a glance over at her to give her a small, reassuring smile.

She looked so happy, her halo glowing a soft golden color, as she returned the gesture.

My father watched proudly beside her, sitting straight, his arm and broad white wing circled around his wife to comfort her.

I knew that even though he appeared stoic, he was as happy for me as she was.

My father had always liked Renzo and considered him a son already.

This wedding was the culmination of an arrangement our parents had made when we were toddlers.

To unite our families and making them stronger.

While our families had been allies for a long time, this made it official.

It would no longer be simply words; it would be written in the love we had for each other and our children.

I loved spending time with Renzo when I was a child.

He was only two years older than me. He and the twins—his best friends, who had been fostered by his parents—had always been playing exciting games and going on adventures.

They had been inseparable since the twins had moved to town.

Sure, I had gone through a phase where I had wanted to be Renzo’s best friend instead of them, but I loved the twins too, truly.

They had been as much a part of my life growing up as Renzo, the four of us were thick as thieves.

Today the twins were standing behind Renzo, intense expressions on their faces, like this ceremony was the most solemn, serious event of their lives.

They also looked the cleanest I had ever seen them.

Their dark suits matched the black of their hair.

Milo’s black wings shone in the light like silk, but Havoc’s were hidden as he preferred.

Renzo had insisted on not needing groomsmen, rather he wanted them both as his best men.

No matter how many times our mothers protested it wasn’t tradition, he would smile and work the same charm that had me thoroughly under his spell.

His smile and dimples got me every time, and I felt my cheeks heat just thinking about them.

When I focused my attention back on my almost-husband, I experienced that smile in full force.

His eyes danced with mirth, like he had known I was distracted, lost in thought.

It wasn’t my fault. The priest had a voice which droned, and I was impatient for this to be over.

Not because I wasn’t enjoying it, nor because I didn’t want to bask in this moment.

I just wanted to be Mrs. Renzo Accardi already.

The vows were done, our rings were on, and then finally his hand was cupping my cheek, holding me trapped in his gaze.

The smile from earlier was slightly muted, not because his feelings were less, but because fondness had become his over-riding expression.

His hand slid back further, into the simple chignon that held my hair back, tangling there as he pulled me against him.

Before I could do more than inhale sharply, his lips were pressed to mine, his other hand against the small of my back, supporting me as he dipped me in his embrace.

It was a more dramatic kiss than my mother would have considered proper, especially with the eyes of God looking down into the church.

Yet as I clung to my new husband’s arms, knowing he would support me and not let me fall, I didn’t mind at all.

Then he set me on my feet and we turned as one, looking out at the crowd as they clapped and cheered.

My mother wiped her eyes, my father’s arm still surrounding her, and they both looked happier than I could remember them being.

Flower petals filled the air as we walked out of the church, falling down on us like rain.

I couldn’t keep my laughter contained, shielding myself with one hand as I held Renzo’s hand tightly with the other.

I was hit by the impulse to run and pull him along behind me.

Not because I wanted to get away, but because I was so excited to start the next part of our lives.

Finally, we were in the back of the town car, petals still falling from our hair and clothes as we slid across the seat.

I had expected Renzo to shut the door behind him, but Milo and Havoc slid in behind him, sitting across from us.

Everyone was laughing, so I wasn’t worried, even though I was a little annoyed at not having this moment for just the two of us.

With one arm, Renzo tugged me against his side, using his other to pull his tie loose, then tossing the piece of silk to Havoc.

I smiled as Havoc cut it into pieces. There were so many traditions to keep track of, and I was glad I didn’t have to worry about all of them.

Traditions were important, they were part of what kept our families strong.

Renzo didn’t let my attention waver from him for long. His hand once again slid into the chignon that held back my hair, threatening to loosen the pins and send my curls cascading down my back. “We are going to have so much fun with you, my little tesoro. Just you wait.”

His words were a little confusing, but it was driven out of my mind as he kissed me again, his hand in my hair pulling my head back.

This kiss was slower, deeper, and more intimate than the kiss we had shared in the church.

His tongue didn’t seek permission, it laid claim to my mouth.

He parted my lips with ease, his hand twisting slightly, the tug on my hair making me gasp.

His other hand gripped my hip, lifting me easily off the seat and pulling me onto his lap.

As distracting as his kiss was, I knew we weren’t alone in the car.

The deeper the kiss got, the more heated my cheeks became.

I tried to shift away from him, but he only pulled me closer, his teeth nipping at my lip in admonishment.

I stopped trying to get away, focusing instead on the kiss and my new husband, rather than on our audience.

There was no way I could tell how long this kiss lasted, but it was much longer than the one in the church.

His hand went from gripping my hip to cradling me against his body, making sure I couldn’t escape.

Not that I wanted to, if anything, I wanted more.

However, the back of a town car was not the place I wanted to have sex for the first time.

I had pictured our first night together as many times as I had pictured our wedding, if not more.

Although this was the first time the raven shifter twins had been present.

I hadn’t always planned on waiting for our wedding night.

When we were teenagers dating in high school, I tried to convince Renzo a few times I was ready.

Yet each time he had held back, insisting he wanted it to be special.

That he wanted to wait until I was his completely.

Each time I let him convince me, but I was tired of waiting.

My hands slid down his chest and my fingers tugged the buttons of his jacket free, when a throat cleared behind us. I pulled back, fighting against Renzo’s hand in my hair to do so. Not wanting to look at the twins, I buried my face against his chest, my cheeks on fire.

“You have a couple of phone calls waiting, Renzo. People want to pass on their congratulations, and some miffed they weren’t invited. The usual shit.” I heard Havoc’s words over the frustration rumbling through my husband’s chest, and I reached out, gently stroking his arm to ease his mood.

“It’s the day of my wedding. They can all wait till I get back. Isn’t this what you two are around for, to keep this shit from getting to me?” I could hear the annoyance in his voice, so out of place on this blissful day.

“We’ll take care of it.” Milo’s voice cut in. He was always the more charismatic of the pair, and the one who was better at heading off issues before they became arguments or fights. “The plane is on standby. As soon as you’re ready to leave the reception, we’ll be off.”

That got my attention, and I looked up at Renzo, blinking. “We’re leaving for the honeymoon tonight? But … It will be so late. Don’t you want to stay at the hotel, and we can leave in the morning?” I could already feel my plans for tonight slip through my fingers, and I didn’t know what to do.

Renzo soothed all my worries with another soft kiss.

“I want to relax, tesoro. We’re going to an island where no one will bother us.

There you can wear a pretty bathing suit for me, if you have time to wear anything at all.

” His wicked grin told me it wasn’t likely, but I wasn’t unhappy, I did like the sound of going somewhere warm.

This was the first time Renzo had hinted at where we were going for our honeymoon, as he had insisted he wanted to surprise me.

He hadn’t even let me pack, instead he had told my mother where he was taking me so she could prepare a suitcase.

I hoped she had picked out a nice bathing suit.

I didn’t want to embarrass myself or my new husband.

“If you have to take care of some business before we get to the reception, I understand.” We needed to wait for everyone else to get there first, anyway.

It’s why the driver was taking us on a scenic route around the city, not that I was looking at any of it.

I understood Renzo was a busy man, since his father was handing the family business over to him.

It wouldn’t be the first time he would need to work when I wanted him to do something else.

“We’re going to toast each other, cut the cake, and dance, tesoro.

Business will still be here when we get back.

Besides, people should know better than to be bothering me right now.

Havoc is sorry he brought it up. Aren’t you?

” The last bit was directed over my head, and I could hear the mumbled apology from behind me.

Satisfied his opinion had been made clear, this time when Renzo slid his hand into my hair, he let it snag on the pins, pulling them free. “I much prefer you with your hair down. It looks so pretty that way, you shouldn’t tie it up.”

Reaching up, I helped him free it, letting the pins fall to the floor as the curls brushed down my back.

I would never wear my hair up again, especially not when he rewarded me with another deep kiss. This time, he gathered my hair in his hand, using it to tug my head back and plunder my mouth.

Suddenly, I was brought back to where we’d left off, my hands itching to undo his jacket.

I gave it a few seconds before I risked it, and his tongue pressed deeper into mine, seeming to urge me on.

It was only seconds before my fingers slid over his shirt, exploring the hard planes of muscle beneath.

Though I had seen them many times and tried to touch, I’d been thwarted in every effort.

Just like I was this time.

After only a minute of kissing, Renzo pulled back. My hands had explored only a fraction of what they wanted, and he stopped me before I could reach bare skin. He was breathing harder, and it stoked my ego to see his eyes now bright with desire.

“We’re here, little tesoro. Let’s show our families our joy, before the real fun begins, hmm?”

The real fun. Our lives together.

It was everything I wanted, but I needed to straighten myself up before I headed inside. Luckily, I wasn’t too mussed up. My dress was easily fixed, and I swept my hair over one shoulder, the curls making it look tussled and sexy.

Renzo’s hand was nestled in the small of my back for our entire walk inside, guiding me along.

We entered to the cheers of our families, their glasses lifted in a toast. Milo and Havoc were behind us, splitting up once we were inside.

Havoc still had the pieces of Renzo’s tie and moved among the tables with them while Milo disappeared into the kitchen.

I didn’t let my mind dwell on their presence, instead focusing on my husband as we went from table to table, thanking everyone who had come to celebrate with us.

The rest of the night was a blur, filled with speeches, dancing, food, and laughter.

I was given a lot of advice that made me blush, Renzo smirking each time he noticed.

There were many wishes of happiness and blessings for healthy sons and daughters.

I didn’t want children too quickly, and it was something to discuss with Renzo when we were far from here, and the excitement had died down.

We had the rest of our lives to have a family, but I wanted some time with only the two of us first.

We danced a few times, and those little pockets of peace were all the sweeter for the rarity. When the crowd and even the music faded away, and the only things which mattered were Renzo’s hand on my back, and my head on his shoulder.

I felt like I had spoken to thousands of people by the time we were ready to leave.

I had barely had time to sit and eat; there was always another cousin or aunt and uncle who wanted to offer their congratulations.

I was grateful all of them had come, but I just wanted to take my heels off and relax.

By the end of the night, I was swaying slightly on my feet, and Renzo had to help me to the car.

It was well after midnight, if his watch was to be believed.

Again, we weren’t alone. Milo and Havoc sat across from us, but I was too tired to care.

We had barely left the reception when I fell asleep, waking only briefly when I felt someone pick me up, their muscular arms carrying me.

I didn’t even hear the plane take off; I was so tired.

Weddings were exhausting.