mine and pointedly looked at our son.
“Yes. He looks so happy,” she said as she grinned with teary eyes.
“Here,” I whispered as I handed her my handkerchief.
“Grazie,” she murmured as she wiped her tears of joy.
Chapter 8
I was beaming like a fool, but hell if I could help it. I was marrying the woman who made me lose my mind and heart. Her beauty captured me before my guys captured her. I wanted her love, no matter how long it took to get it. She looked breathtaking and really nervous walking up to me. The thing that got me pissed was that she spotted Enzo.
I told the fucker to hide where she couldn’t see him, but no, he went and sat with his parents and wife. The fucking prick. I had to invite him because if I didn’t, it would show there was a rift in the family. And any sign of weakness, and others will try to take over. Fuck that noise. I already had a problem with the Russians, which I was working on. I didn’t have time to think of that shit. I had my bride to think about.
The ceremony was too long, and all I wanted to do was snatch her up and carry her back to our room and love her all night long. We still had guests to entertain. I was tempted to take her in a fucking closet, but I couldn’t do that. She was Mrs. Luciano Rossi now, and I couldn’t do her for the first time as husband and wife in a closet, but fuck, I couldn’t say I wouldn’t ever try it.
“You look ravishing, Signora Rossi. May I have this dance?”
“Si, grazie, Signore Rossi.” I walked my bride to the dance floor where our first dance as husband and wife began.
“You are trying to learn, my wife. Good. I want our children to speak both languages.” As the music played, I swayed her gently in my arms. She moved gracefully. I wanted this moment to last. I was a fucking sap all of the sudden.
“Luciano, that’s all I’ve learned for now.” I couldn’t stop myself from kissing her. I pulled away just enough to look her in the eyes, and I uttered the words I was afraid to say, hoping she wouldn’t understand.
I was caught up in the moment and what I was feeling in my heart for her. “Amber, ti amo, amoré mio.”
“What does that mean?” She looked confused.
I didn’t know how to answer, but my father rescued me as he interrupted us to dance with Amber. Apparently the last song ended while I had been confessing my love, so I took my mother for our special dance.
“Mama, you look beautiful.” I twirled her around, thankful that she made Amber part of her family without a lot of grief. My mama was a tough woman. She had to be since she was always with my father. I was afraid that she would outright hate her just because I was going to marry her so soon, and she wasn’t a good Italian girl.
“Thank you, Luciano, though I am sure all you can see is your bride. Do not worry, your father will not steal her away.” She caught me glancing at my dad and Amber dancing. Watching Amber dance and laugh with someone else, even my dad, wasn’t easy.
“Is it that obvious?”
“Yes, my son. I like her. She cares for you deeply, but you must be careful. If I can see your jealousy, so can others, and you know she has already become a target with you as her husband. If they know she is your weakness, then it will give them room to act accordingly.”
“Mother, you sound like father. I’ll take your advice.” Her words were felt and understood. My love for Amber would always be a danger to her, damn it.
For the last hour, I was talking to most of the guests and avoiding my bride most of the time. I even flirted a little with a widow at one of the tables to make it seem that I didn’t see my wife as the treasure she was. The night was finally over and I could enjoy my bride.
“Amber, did I tell you how beautiful you looked tonight?”
“Yes, you did.” I could sense the harshness in her tone, and I didn’t like that shit one bit. I pinned her to the wall and took her lips in a rough kiss that she
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