The Wedding

**Damiano**

“He fucking grabbed her ass. There is no way they’re related. What kind of fucking sick pervert would do that to their niece?” Giovanni spat out as we made our way to the altar. It was taking everything in me not to empty my gun on her so-called uncle.

“I should have fucking killed him that day.” The only reason I didn’t was that I needed to have this deal go through.

“He’s mine. I’ve waited a long time to end his life after everything he did to Cara. The fucking years of abuse.” Lorenzo stated. It had not been easy to keep him at bay but I promised him, once everything was over, he could do whatever he pleased with Cara’s father for the years of abuse she had been through.

“I want that DNA test done as soon as possible.”

“Is it necessary with a DNA test? Just after what she said is good enough proof to me.” Luca commented.

“It is. Because after tonight, we’re shutting down his organization and ending this once and for all. The DNA test is proof to Althaia. I need to come clean with everything.” I have been gathering proof to show her what has been happening and who had been behind the attacks. I had to come clean with everything I had been hiding from her.

I only told her a small fraction, giving her the impression that I was letting her in on this. It was just enough to feed her curiosity. If she knew what really had been going on, she would want to get involved or do it on her own, knowing how reckless she could be. I couldn’t have that happening.

Althaia wasn’t going to take it easy to learn her entire life has been a lie, and the one she saw as a father has been trying to get rid of her and her mother. Her mother had hidden her true identity and only allowed Althaia to see her as a regular, single mother. Who knew what kind of shit she had been hiding.

I also knew that once coming clean with everything, Althaia was going to be pissed at me. Maybe even hate me for what I have done and kept from her. But this was something I had to do in order to protect her and carry out this plan. If it did come down to that, I would have to live with the fact that she hates me. But at least she would be alive. And that was what mattered to me. To have her alive, safe, and happy.

“Everything is ready and everyone is in position. We’ll be waiting for your signal.” Antonio informed me and I gave a firm nod.

“Good. I want anyone who is vulnerable out of here as soon as I give the signal.” My Nonna and mother were present and I wanted them out of here along with Althaia, Cara, and whoever wasn’t fit to fight and needed protection. Even though I had been training her and she was quite impressive already with her skills and with her creative thinking, this was a different kind of fight and nothing I wanted her to witness.

The plan was to trap them inside the castle. It was easier to have them locked in one place to have complete control over everything. I wasn’t going to play games anymore. My father was right that this has gone on for too long already. We were supposed to take down Gataeno months ago. Quick and easy after gaining his trust and giving a false belief of he could have access to my weaponry.

His organization was growing stronger and more powerful. He was taking over territories after territories, recruiting more people than ever. It had me intrigued and I wanted to know the infrastructure of it all, to know how he operated and then take him down. I couldn’t have him be a threat to my business, and I got rid of anyone before they could become one.

I was even more intrigued when Althaia popped out of the blue when it clearly said she had passed. And while Althaia became the biggest blessing of my life, it did complicate this whole mission.

“Stay alert.” I gave one final order before they went ahead and took their seats. I walked down the aisle with Lorenzo and stopped at the altar with him since I was the best man. I looked around at the seated people, Nonna and our parents sitting in the front of our side, while Gaetano, his wife, his brother, and Carlos were on the other side in the front.

Those bastards were smiling, thinking this was all in their favor, and it took everything in me not to glare in their direction and pull out my gun. Instead, I directed my attention to Lorenzo.

“How you feeling, brother? Nervous?” I gave a teasing smile when he shot me a blank look.

“No.”

“Of course, you’re not. You are Tank Man after all.” That gave an amused reaction from him.

“That wife of yours has a unique way of expressing her thoughts.”

“You don’t say. She calls me The Devil.” I found it funny when she called me that the very first time, and now she just kept calling me that, having me like it. Lorenzo snorted.

“How fitting.”

“Tank Man is quite fitting as well.” I chuckled lightly with him. Lorenzo had worked incredibly hard to get to his impressive form and I didn’t blame Althaia for calling him that.

“It is actually, and Cara is definitely not complaining.” He smirked and it was my turn to give him a blank look.

“Not interested in hearing about that. I’ve already seen your ass, and I’m not in the mood to be more traumatized.”

“My ears were bleeding when I heard you fucking in the bathroom. Besides, I blessed your eyes with my pretty ass.”

“There’s nothing pretty about your ass. I bet you were almost wanking at the sound of me fucking.

“…That’s fucking disgusting.” We both stared at each other before we cracked a smile. It was obvious to hear just how much their personalities had rubbed on us.

The chatter died down when the music started to play and I went to take my place behind Lorenzo. All attention was directed toward the large double doors when they opened. I found myself smiling when Althaia walked out as the first one, being the maid of honor. She was looking heavenly in her dress that fitted her body so well as she walked down the aisle with a small bouquet of flowers in her hands.

She smiled beautifully, her green eyes sparkling majestically and having me feel pride that I could call her my wife. Her eyes met mine when I couldn’t stop looking at her, giving me her shy smile as her cheeks started to get a rosy color. I watched her until she came to a stop, and my eyes trailed down her body, shamelessly checking her out. That dress complimented her tanned skin so well and hugged her figure deliciously.

I definitely wanted to rip that dress off her and touch her silk-like skin.

The change of the music helped me not take those thoughts any further as everyone once again directed their attention to the doors. Cara in her big wedding dress and veil-covered face started to slowly walk down the aisle. I looked at Lorenzo, smiling a little as I watched his reaction. A reaction I knew all too well from experiencing it many times with Althaia.

He looked at her completely mesmerized, trapped under her spell as she walked towards him. He went to her, took her hand, and together stood before the priest for him to begin the rites and prayer.

As the priest began, my eyes found their way back to Althaia, watching her cheerful face as looked at Cara and Lorenzo. I got lost in my thoughts as I lost myself to the sight of her, imagining her in a white wedding dress. I never cared about marriages or even thinking of starting a family of my own… It was unexplainable how she made me want it all with her. And with her only.

Althaia bit down on her lip as if she was trying to prevent herself from laughing while raising a brow at me. That was when it dawned on me they were waiting for me to give the priest the rings for him to bless.

"…Take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit." Cheerful applause erupted when Cara and Lorenzo sealed the beginning of their marriage with a kiss.

֎֎֎

“Have you seen Michael anywhere? I can’t believe he is not attending the wedding …” Her brows dipped as we entered the reception banquet. She looked around but Michael was nowhere to be found.

“I haven’t.” I had noticed he wasn’t present which was unlikely for Gaetano not to have him around wherever he was as he was his right hand. Althaia let out a sigh.

“Why are you looking for him?”

“I just want to talk to him. I forgot to call him back and thought I would hear him out…”

“He didn’t try to call you again?” I questioned.

“No… Which I don’t get now that I think about it. He asked if I was okay and needed to talk to me.” My brow slightly raised at the information. Now, that was interesting.

“Don’t worry about it now, he’ll probably show up later.” I said to keep her from overthinking and ask around for him.

“I guess. Well, I gotta go say hi to my dad. I haven’t talked to him yet.” She let out a small embarrassed chuckle and headed in the direction of Gaetano. He was standing with his wife and a few of his men, smiling as Althaia got close to him and hugged him.

I faced away from them as I looked around before I pressed a small button on the inside of my collar where a microphone was.

“Keep an eye out for Michael. He might be lurking around.” I ordered before I walked up to Althaia, not wanting her to be alone in their presence.

“Damiano! I see you snatched my little girl.” I stared at him blankly, watching him smile unusually at me as he raised his glass.

“May this bring our family closer and more powerful.”

____

Hiyaaa, sorry for the small hiatus, I had to finish my thesis! :D

Let me know in the comments what you think will happen! <3

PS. My facebook page, Author Mariam, has all the visuals you need *wink wink* ;)