Chapter 83 Rags and Ritches 24

Chapter 83 Rags and Ritches 24
Aria

I didn’t know what I was expecting, some kind of stuffy chapel with an equally stuffy priest and hundreds of guests to witness my fall.

It wasn’t this. Just a simple judge standing behind a desk that had been cleared of all paperwork. There was nothing but a small vase on top of the green leather top.

In the doorway I paused. And a dozen sets of eyes turned to me. More than one smiled at my discomfort. 

They were enjoying this. Every single one of them. Locking eyes with them I memorised their faces. I was going to kill then all. 

All of them.

They would die but no one sooner than the man waiting for me in the wheelchair. His frail shoulders slumped and head hanging low. He was so far gone that he couldn’t even turn his head to look at me. 

That was the man I was being forced to marry. I didn’t understand why Dante was so worried. He wouldn’t touch me. Even if he healed he would never be able to-

“I can’t wait for the wedding night.”

I froze again. Swinging me head around to try and find out who had spoken. What did he mean he couldn’t wait. Did the men standing in this room think they were going to- I swallowed hard. My wild eyes finding Dante’s.

Was this what he meant?

That as the old man’s wife I would be passed around his men? That’s what it sounded like. 

Bile rushed up my throat and I had to swallow hard to force it down before I threw up down the puffy lace that enveloped me.

“Heard Dante has been keeping her ready for-“

Next to my groom to be, Dante cleared his throat, his eyes flashing and I knew he had heard what they said. The anger on his face made them fall silent. 

“Miss?”

It was only when I spotted the judge again that I realised he was talking to me. Of course he was, I was the only woman here. 

“Is everything ok? Do you need a moment?” His kindly brown eyes swept up and down me. It was that look that did it. Panic gripped me. Wildly I looked behind me. Begging for my brother to come and rescue me. Or the Judge. Just anyone.

But as always no one came bursting through the doors to save me. It was the literal story of my life.

I was a woman amongst dangerous men, I’d always been that woman and it had made me more dangerous than any of them.

“Aria.” Dante barked but I didn’t jump. 

Gathering the too fluffy skirts in my hands I matched towards them. I wouldn’t walk into the room like a blushing bride. They wanted a mafia princess in their family; they would soon know what that meant. 

Because I was about to be upgraded to queen.

“As your betrothed is having a bad day. Mr Ritches will be saying the important parts for him. Is that suitable to you? The registry has already been signed.”

I shrugged. “Honestly couldn’t care less.”

The judges eyes widened at that.

“Get on with it.”

This time it was Dante himself who looked shocked. I saw a light tremble begin in his hands and it only got worse as we said the words that meant absolutely nothing to me.

Not once did he look at me. Not once did he try to save me from marrying a man three times my age. He just stood there and mumbled in place of his boss.

That’s how much he loved me.

“Is there anything you wish to say, before I announce you as husband and wife.”

Dante’s lips thinned and it might have my imagination but I was sure he was looking at me expectantly. I turned my head away.

“No.” He finally mumbled.

“Then I now pronounce you man and wife.”

And just like that it was done. And my life was sealed to this family.

Only theirs was locked to me now as well. 

Hands still clutching my skirts,I finally closed my fist around the small knife I had squirreled away at the picnic.

“You’re all going to die.” With a flourish I pulled the knife from the overwhelming fabric but before any one could do more than murmur in shock I had it pressed against a throat.

Not my grooms.

My own.

Dante froze mid step.. “What are you doing Aria?” He reached for me and I pressed the sharp edge more firmly against my skin. It cut, a stinging little point that let a trickle of blood flow down my throat. “Aria give me the knife. Now.”

“Why?” I let my eyes drift up to his. There was fear there. “Didn’t you say so yourself that you would rather me dead than be married to him?” 

An uneasy murmur swept around the room.

“I didn’t mean it, Aria.” He said in a hushed whisper. “It was just words. Don’t do this.”

“Why?” I wasn’t stupid I knew I only had a few moments before they swarmed on me. I was quick but I couldn’t fight off a dozen men.

“Because no one here wants anything to -“

I cut him off with a laugh. “Is that right Dante? Or is it because if I die here today my brother will wage all out war on you all. The Family will destroy you all.” I whirled just in time to stop a man who was rushing towards me. “One step closer and I’ll slit my throat from ear to ear. Is that what you want? Do you want my blood staining the floor.”

If the looks on their faces was anything to go by then I wasn’t sure they would mind but right now I had them. They needed me on their side. Or more specifically they needed my Famy. 

“Aria, baby please just put the knife down. No one is going to hurt you. I only said what I said yesterday to scare you.”

Oh I knew that. It had taken me an hour to get into this ridiculous dress but I’d worked it in that time.

Everything Dante did, everything he said was to control me. 

“I know.”

He blinked in surprise, lunging forward but he wasn’t quick enough to stop me. Spinning around , I swung the knife down and away from my own throat and plunged it into the artery of my groom's throat. 

Blood splurted out in a gush, coating my hand and soaking the front of my stupid white dress.

I’d said my vows, I was a married woman.

I grinned up at Dante. Well technically now I was a widow.

And with the death of my husband I was now in charge.

“Gotcha.” I winked.