Cara's pov
"You look absolutely stunning!" I gushed with awe as I stared at my stepsister.
It was my first time seeing her in her wedding dress and her beauty stole my breath away. The dress hugged at her curves then billowed elegantly around her feet, her shimmery train trailing behind her.
Gina twirled around, the train reflecting the early morning sunlight streaming through the large windows on the side of her bedroom. Louis had outdone himself as promised. The dress was indeed one from a dream.
The rest of her accentuated the bridal apparel; her shiny dark brown hair was curled up in a beautiful up-do adorned with diamond stones. Her makeup was the perfect balance between minimal and powerful.
She was ethereal.
She flushed at the compliment, giving me a shy smile but her eyes sparkled with knowing.
"Mamma mia!" My mother exclaimed as she breezed in, her hands clasped together as she gazed at Gina with watery eyes. "You look so beautiful, stellina."
Gina's smile was cordial and I knew the two would get along, at least for today. It was a special day anyway.
My mother filed out, obviously off to some representative mother of the bride business.
Gina's happy look gradually faded into a nervous one and I could see the tension tightening into her muscles. I took her hand.
"Breathe, Gina." I cooed. "There's no need to worry, today is supposed to be a blissful day."
Her frantic gaze flickered over to mine and I tried to lighten her anxiety with a joke. "Don't tell me you're worried about what comes after the whole shebang."
I was rewarded with a tiny gleam of amusement cracking through her unease and I continued, my voice dropping to a teasing whisper. "Or didn't my good mother give you 'the talk?'"
This time a laugh left her, it sounded nervous and breathy but a win's a win. "Oh don't remind me. She had tried last night but I shut it down as soon as the awkwardness threatened to choke me."
I laughed. "I'm sure you got a string of reprimands."
She surprised me by saying. "I didn't. She uncharacteristically let it go. I'm sure she was just as uncomfortable as I was."
It was indeed very uncharacteristic of the woman.
I adjusted the hem of my dress and Gina's eyes roved over it.
"You look so beautiful."
I grinned at her. "Thank you."
The dress was a silky coral color that stood out from the rest of the bridesmaids dresses. It hugged my curves and flowed around my feet like Gina's but the design was less intricate than hers.
I'd fallen in love with it the moment I first tried it on.
A maid strode in and announced our ride had arrived.
Gina's hand in mine grew more tense as her nerves started spiraling again.
Her anxiety was perfectly understandable. Marriage was a big thing, a life changing experience.
I flashed her a reassuring smile. "It's all good darling."
"All good?" She asked in a shaky whisper.
"All good." I said and just like I had done on the day of her engagement, I accompanied her out of her bedroom and the two of us made our way for the waiting limo.
***
The wedding ceremony was being held at a church, shocking as it may seem but most members of the Costra Nostra were devout Catholics. It was something I would always find ironic considering they broke basically all ten commandments of the Lord.
Gina had been reluctant to let go of my hand as soon as we arrived at the large stone walls of the Victorian style building but I had managed to convince her to.
My own nerves made a rather surprising appearance as I walked into the church and down the aisle. I began to rethink this chief bridesmaid business. I took my spot at the altar, willing myself not to turn around and seek Luca out.
It was crazy how I knew he was present without looking, all thanks to the blast of heat radiating from the very first pew on the left of the auditorium.
Thankfully, I had to face the altar all through the ceremony, so I didn't have to look at him…
It took only sixty seconds before I turned my neck to the side. And I instantly regretted it.
Valentina was sitting beside him, too closely beside him and I didn't miss the condescending and smug look on her beautiful face when she inched even closer.
Luca on the other hand was boring me with his eyes, his gaze unwavering and heated. I looked straight ahead, fighting off a shudder that was a result of a messy mix of arousal and jealousy.
He told me there was nothing going on, I should believe him.
Dante Fierro arrived, looking sharp and clean. He clapped his best man on the back and acknowledged me with a small bow of his head. The subtle yet readable happiness in his expression made some of my nervousness fade away. I was yet to know just how much he cared about Gina but as it appeared to be more than I credited him.
Love was an almost impossible concept for made men and I had been half scared that Gina was getting herself into an unrequited love union.
The wedding march began to play and Gina came into view, accompanied by a proud Manuel Salvatore. I couldn't help the sting of tears at the back of my eyes. I remembered the day she came to me, scared about this very day. She had come so far and I was genuinely happy for her.
Manuel handed her to her groom and the priest began the ceremony.
I tried to focus on it but I couldn't. My mind was fixed on the mafia don sitting a couple of feets away from where I stood.
I glanced at his direction to find him conversing with Valentina. Every muscle in my body tensed. I returned my attention to the task at hand, trying to appear unconcerned and indifferent even though an internal scream was coursing through my body, the bitter taste of jealousy filling my mouth.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." The priest announced and Dante drew Gina in for a soft kiss.
The guests erupted into cheers, rising to their feets as the newlyweds walked back the aisle, together this time. I and Dante's best man slowly followed behind and it took all of my willpower not to look at Luca as I passed his pew, his gaze tangible on my skin like a caress.
Everyone huddled around the couple to render their well wishes and Luca finally took his eyes off me to clap Dante on the back and kiss his sister's cheek.
I wondered if he was trying to tell the whole church that we were sleeping together. As the Fierros and the Salvatores interacted, along with some other families, Valentina found me where I stood on the side.
"It sucks doesn't it." She said, folding her arms in front of her as she stared at the interacting families.
My sigh showed my reluctance to engage in any conversation, especially an underlying mocking one with her. But I asked anyway. "What sucks?"
She faced me, her smile deceptively friendly. "Being an outsider."
My fingers dug into my palm but I tried not to show an obvious reaction. "Not really, there are actually a lot of perks."
Her smile grew tighter. "Like what."
I looked at her irritatingly pretty face. "I get to do who I want for one."
She blanched, appalled and I allowed myself a smug smirk at the horrified look in her eyes.
"You're just as crass as I expected. I am not surprised." She said, her accent wrapping around the word "crass".
I snorted, turning back to the conversation still going on between the mafia families. "Don't lie now, you're practically clutching your pearls."
She glared at me with unrestrained hostility but the feeling was masked so fast I almost thought I imagined it.
She moved closer and one perfectly manicured hand reached out for the silver necklace Gina had gotten me. It was my first luxury jewelry but it was nowhere as luxurious as the diamond on her neck.
Valentina fixed the crooked necklace. "That is no privilege sweetie," she stared meaningfully at Luca then looked back at me. "It's all meaningless if it's not with the one."
Something gloomy settled into my belly like a bag of bricks as I instantly got her secret message.
Her eyes returned to mine, glinting with superiority. "There's no honor in being a passed around whore."
She left me with that scathing line and I felt my lungs tightening up. It was clear what she meant, it didn't need a genius to figure it out.
I desperately tried to call it bullshit but it clawed at me, persistent and unrelenting.
Her and Luca were sleeping together and theirs was just more than a spontaneous fuck.