Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 70225 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 351(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70225 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 351(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
Lion slapped the boy on the back with pride.
This was it.
The job was done.
They both knew it.
And from that day forward, she was always going to belong to him, even if she never knew it herself.
Chapter One
Present - WEDDING DAY
It’s done.
I am married.
The bells are chiming and the doves I begged Toni for fly past our newlywed heads. Everyone stands on the sidelines, smiling and cheering for us, celebrating our unity. Celebrating us on the Gulf of Mexico. Veracruz, Mexico that is.
Antonio has become my husband, and I, his wife, and I don’t think I could be any happier.
Antonio’s mom stands to my left with a broad grin and watery eyes. She did this wedding well.
With the lavender and white color scheme and everyone, from the groomsmen to the stunning bride, looking spectacular, I couldn’t have asked for a more gorgeous wedding.
I smile at her, but I so badly want to cry when I look into her sad eyes. I know why she’s so upset. She wishes things were different for me. She wishes my parents were here to see me off.
Though they can’t be, I know they are smiling down at us from heaven. I know they are present—that they wouldn’t miss this moment for the world.
Their only daughter being married.
Their beautiful girl, budding into a real woman.
Mom used to tell me that getting married younger than twenty-eight was a risk. I am twenty-six. I’m certain she still wouldn’t believe that I was ready, but I would have disagreed with her.
It’s not about me being married too young, or being too naïve, or anything of that nature.
Her biggest concern was that I wanted to be married to a man who just so happens to be one of the most ruthless men alive.
The man I’ve married works in the Italian mafia. He can be crazy and rude and downright nasty, but he is also compassionate and he treats me like nothing short of a queen.
He has the power that I long for in a man. He is strong and smart and exudes confidence.
My sweet, handsome Antonio.
Antonio is my life, and he has been since I was twenty years old. When I first saw him during one of Dad’s meetings, I became a victim to his charisma.
He has eyes as blue and clear as exotic water, and thick black hair that is cropped short around the ears and slicked back.
When we met, I noticed he often wore a smirk on his lips, but there was something in his eyes…gentleness only a woman could catch. There was a glint in the depth of those irises when he first saw me. And when he did, his smirk slowly transformed into a full smile.
And it was that smile that instantly hooked me.
Antonio is ten years older than me. Daddy didn’t want any of his men messing with his daughter, so we had to be very discreet about our affairs…until the day we got caught by Daddy. And boy, was that bad.
“You alright, baby?” Antonio’s thick, Jersey accent pulls me out of my memories, and I look over at him, smiling way too hard.
“Of course I am, babe. I’m great. Never better.”
“Good ‘cause I can’t have my Gia baby being sad or any of that shit on our wedding day. This is your day, baby, and I want you to be happy and nothing less.” He leans closer to me, stroking the apple of my cheek.
For all of the things Antonio does with these hands, they are always so soft. I love them on my body—on my skin. His hands have warmth that can’t be matched to another man’s. I would know the difference, even if I were blind. These hands love to touch me.
I nod quickly, feeling heat rise on my face. “I am happy. I swear.”
He leans in and kisses me on the lips. “That’s a good girl. That’s what I like to hear.”
I study my husband. He looks amazing in his tux. Instead of wearing a tie like the groomsmen, he wanted to wear a bowtie. It’s lavender, complimenting his tan skin.
“You look fucking amazing by the way, Gia. Fucking stunning, baby.” I blush harder, grabbing his hand as his eyes run up and down the length of me.
The dress I’m wearing can’t be beat. I feel so amazing wearing it, and when I first saw myself in it, I knew this was the one. His mom and I searched high and low for the perfect gown. Antonio said the price didn’t matter, so we went all out.
It is June 28th, a perfect summer day for this beauty. A strapless, beaded gown made with yard after yard of ivory silk. It gathers into a diagonal pleat of tulle on the bodice. The waistband is made of embroidered gold, and swimming around my feet are ivory ruffles that resemble the look of soft, ivory rose petals.