I'll Do Anything (The Challenge Night Series Book 1)

by K. L Mann

  “What’s wrong?” He questions me, grabbing my hands and looking them over too.

  “I don’t know.” My hands still shake lightly as he holds them. “I’m just nervous, I need a minute, that’s all. I can’t think.” My voice cracks.

  Lorenzo drops my hands but grabs my face again. He isn’t examining me this time. No, he’s pulled my face into his and he’s giving me life with his lips.

  His warm lips brush into my cold ones, warming them with his kiss. My eyes fall shut; the darkness feels safe. My mouth parts, breathing him in. His tongue swipes mine and my body feels hot. The cold chill disappears and my heartbeat slows. My lips move back into his, asking for more. I think I’m starting to feel better when he pulls away.

  My eyes flick open, he’s watching me.

  “Thank you.” I whisper, still close to his face.

  “I have to go now, just keep breathing.” He waits for my understanding.

  All I can do is nod. Lorenzo leaves me, but Arianna returns as he does.

  “Do you want some water?” She looks almost scared.

  “Oh, um. Wine instead? To calm the nerves?”

  “Good idea.” She smiles this time, maybe I look better.

  I check the mirror across me from a distance. The color has returned to my skin.

  Good. My body doesn’t feel cold anymore.

  Arianna hands me a glass of cold white wine.

  Excitement fills my body. I’m myself again. I sip it eagerly and stand up to shake out my limbs. Arianna is watching me, but she seems less concerned now. I definitely am.

  “I’m better.” I reassure her. “Sorry if I scared you.”

  “It’s okay.” She smiles. “Can the hair and makeup staff come in now? It’s almost time.”

  “Of course.” I smile back and take another sip of wine.

  Seconds later, the room is full of women here to make me look flawless. Vito is stationed outside of my door; I see him as everyone makes their way in. Everything moves so quickly, and I finish my wine before I’m thrown into the chaos.

  I’m sitting in a tall comfortable chair, and Arianna is sitting in one beside me. A woman works on her hair, while another woman starts to do my makeup. There are mirrors in front of both of us, with bright bulbs of light attached to them. They’ll switch when they finish.

  “Are you excited?” I ask Arianna.

  “Me? Shouldn’t I be asking you that?” She giggles.

  “Sure, I’m getting married… but you get to walk down the aisle with Gio.” I joke.

  I see her face flush in her mirror and I smile.

  “Yeah, but he’ll probably look pained as he wraps his arm in mine.” She frowns.

  “He’ll give in eventually.” I shrug.

  Arianna’s hair is down and wavy, with pieces braided in the back. Little sparkly pins dance around the crown of her hair and it looks amazing. My makeup artist did pretty normal wedding makeup for me. A sort of brown smokey eye with shimmer on my lids and gloss painted on my lips. My lashes aren’t over the top but wispy and pretty. The bronzer on my skin helps me forget my sickly pale face from earlier.

  The women switch and my hair process begins. She smooths my curls into big waves with a large barreled curling iron. She could leave it the way it is and I would be impressed but she continues. My hair looks like Arianna’s but bigger and with more glittering pins and a few more braids. Arianna’s makeup is simple like mine, but her lips are pinker and her eyeshadow is a blush color.

  The makeup and hair women leave and it’s time to get dressed. Arianna gets into her dress quickly, not bothering to go to the bathroom, she changes right in front of me. I try not to look at her like I am, she’s pretty perfect and I notice. Her dress is a medium shade of blush pink, chiffon, floor length and one shouldered. There is a band of fabric around her waist that makes her figure less hidden.

  “You know you’re smokin’ hot right?” I ask, looking at her completed look.

  “I know.” She flips her hair and giggles.

  “If I weren’t marrying your brother, I’d give Gio a run for his money.” I smirk at her playfully.

  “You might beat him out.” She jokes back. “Okay, time to get that gown on girl.” She claps her hands excitedly.

  “Alright.” I huff.

  I’m not nearly as toned or symmetrical as she is. I’m also wearing some pretty racy lingerie so having to undress in front of her is nerve racking. She’s getting my dress from its hanger while I start to peel off my leggings. My shirt comes off next, I know that I’m hot but I’m still a human woman. I get insecure from time to time.

  “Holy hell, yeah Gio might lose.” Arianna is staring at me.

  “Wanna run away?” I point my thumb to the door and giggle.

  “They’d catch us.” She sighs and then laughs too.

  Arianna helps me put on the gown and zips me up after. I take myself all in, looking in one of the mirrors. I’ve never looked this way before; so perfectly put together. We both put on our shoes, matching heels in the color of our dresses. We’re ready with ten minutes to spare when someone knocks on the door.

  “Lorenzo if that’s you, I’ll kill you for trying to see her in this dress!” Arianna yells loudly.

  “It’s Luca!”

  Arianna opens the door, but doesn’t let him in.

  “What do you want?” She sasses him, putting a hand on her hip.

  “I’m just delivering the groom’s gift to the bride, brat.” He hands her a shiny white box.

  Luca can’t see me; Arianna is shielding me with her body.

  “Great, thanks. Bye now, jerk.” She shuts the door in his face.

  “You’re welcome, princess!” Luca yells through the door.

  “Not his biggest fan I see.” I can’t help but laugh.

  “He’s an ass.” She rolls her eyes and hands me the box.

  It feels heavy but almost like it’s hollow; like the box weighs more than what’s inside. Arianna watches me, waiting for me to open it. It’s the crown from the auction, but underneath the white velvet fabric it sits on, there is more. A thigh holster, a silver dagger, with diamonds that match the crown and a note.

  Yes, wear them both.

  I show it to Arianna and her mouth parts.

  “Kinky.” She muses.

  We both laugh and I hike up my dress to put my dagger into place. It fits perfectly on my upper thigh. Arianna puts my crown into place.

  “Does it look ridiculous?” I grimace.

  “No, it looks perfect.” She says, turning me around to see myself in the mirror.

  It does look perfect, I look perfect. There’s another knock at the door, lighter this time.

  “It’s time, Mija.” My mother’s voice floats through the door.

  “Okay!” Arianna yells back. “You ready?” She whispers to me.

  I nod.

  Arianna walks out first and I follow her. My mother, Gio, Luca, Marco and Vito are in the hallway. All eyes fly to me.

  “Holy shit.” Marco mutters.

  Luca elbows him in the stomach and I smile at them both.

  “Mija, you look wonderful.” My mother grabs my hands and squeezes them.

  “Thank you, Amá, so do you.” She’s wearing a lighter shade of blush pink in a mother of the bride style dress.

  “Okay. So, Luca and Marco will go down first. Lorenzo is already at the altar, then Gio and I will go and then your mom will walk you down. Got it?” Arianna recaps the plan.

  “Got it.” I nod my head at her.

  “Here.” Gio hands me a bouquet of flowers I didn’t even notice he was holding.

  “Thanks.” I smile, knowing damn well who's catching them later.

  I hear chatter as we move closer to the stairs. Music starts playing and my heart thumps in my chest. Luca and Marco make their way down the double wide set of stairs, they walk at the same pace. They lead right to the aisle and therefore everyone will see me walk down them in a few moments.

 
; Gio holds his arm out for Arianna to take. She smiles up at him and wraps her arm into his. They start walking down the stairs too. My mother takes my arm and gives it a light squeeze, pulling me back into reality. I count down the thirty seconds we talked about and then we make our way down the stairs.

  We walk slowly, in tune with the music and I keep my eyes on each step. When my feet hit the floor, I look up and see all of the guests standing, looking back at me. My heart races, the aisle is in front of me but I can’t make my feet move. Amá squeezes my arm again and my eyes find Lorenzo. He’s looking at me too. My body screams at my brain to move.

  My feet start moving slowly again. The crowd becomes a blur, I’m fixated on him.

  I’m steps away from him before I know it, Amá kisses my cheek and Lorenzo takes my hand. He helps me step up to the altar where a priest stands between us. He lets my hand go, and I wish he wouldn’t have. His touch felt necessary. My eyes take him in as I hear people sitting back down. He’s wearing a classic tuxedo with a black bow tie and everything. His tattoos still peak out of his shirt at his neck and hands. His hair is gelled but not too proper, he’s perfect.

  We’re perfect.

  The priest starts talking and I don’t take my eyes off of his. I want it to be the kissing part already. The priest says a prayer, some words in Italian and then it’s time for the vows. Normally, men say their vows first, but apparently Lorenzo’s family does it differently.

  So, I need to go first.

  “Lo, Katherine, prendo te, Lorenzo, come mio sposo e prometto di esserti fedele sempre, nella gioia e nel dolore, nella salute e nella malattia, e di amarti e onorarti tutti i giorni della mia vita.” I say my words carefully and slide a silver ring on to his finger.

  I know I’ve gotten them right; I can see Arianna smile out of the corner of my eye. Lorenzo smiles too. I did good so I breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

  Lorenzo is next, he takes my left hand and starts to speak.

  “Yo, Lorenzo, te tomo a ti Katherine, como mi esposa. Prometo serte fiel en lo próspero y en lo adverso, en la salud y en la enfermedad. Amarte y respetarte todos los días de mi vida.”

  My stomach flutters and my heart nearly stops beating. He recited his vows in Spanish, perfectly. I feel a tear fall down my cheek as he slips my wedding band on my finger.

  Why did he do that? Who taught him the vows? Is he going to be in trouble for that?

  “By the power vested in me, by the Holy Catholic Church; I now pronounce you man and wife. You may–”

  I don’t let the priest finish; I know this part. I drop my flowers on the floor.

  My hands grab the sides of Lorenzo’s face and I pull his lips into mine. I feel his mouth curl into a smile and he kisses me back, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me closer. My hand covers the side of our mouths from the crowd and I slip my tongue across his lips before pulling away.

  Applause ends the silence and everyone seated stands up again. Lorenzo takes my hand into his and picks up the bouquet, handing it back to me. Now that it’s all over, I take in the decorations. White chairs, gold accents, white flowers spilled around the floor and some dark pink roses are sprinkled in here and there. I knew what it was going to look like, but looking at everything in place was surreal. Every detail was in place.

  I see his mother and mine, both in tears. Marco, Luca and Gio are standing at Lorenzo’s side, they’re clapping too. They all actually look happy; not a grumpy frown in sight. Arianna is at my side, crying with a huge smile on her face. Caterina is in the front row, clapping and waving to me. I wave back and smile at her. Everyone is happy. I smile at them as Lorenzo starts to walk me back down the aisle and up the stairs.

  Music fills the air when we finally make it to the top.

  I pull his hand to the side, taking us out of view. I crush my lips into his before he can say a word. His lips fight mine and his hand grasps around my neck. He spins me around so my back is pressed against the wall. I want him now. His mouth feels so goddamn right against mine.

  “Fuck me right here.” I beg, through rushed kisses.

  “You want me to fuck you right here? In this hallway, so that anyone who comes up the stairs will see?” Lorenzo taunts me, nibbling at my neck.

  “Yes.” I whimper. “I need it now.” I wrap a leg around his waist and hook it there, pulling him into me as hard as I can. My hands glide down his stomach to his belt. I’m starting to pull it open when I hear footsteps.

  Lorenzo licks up my neck and I moan quietly, unable to hold it back.

  “Jesus.” Gio grumbles as he finds us. “No time for that right now, reception time, Arianna’s orders.” He rolls his eyes.

  “Cunt block.” I grumble at him and let my leg fall down.

  Lorenzo laughs and kisses me one last time, good and hard.

  “How long do we have to stay?” I pout.

  “Just a few hours.” Lorenzo tells me as he whips lip gloss from my chin.

  I nod and he takes my hand.

  “Wait, I’m gonna go to the bathroom really quick, I’ll be down in a minute.” I let go of his grip.

  “I’ll wait here.”

  “No, don’t keep people waiting. I’ll be fast I promise.”

  “I’ll send Vito up.” Gio tells Lorenzo.

  “See? I’m fine. Go ahead.”

  Lorenzo nods and kisses my forehead quickly, then Gio and him head back downstairs. I make my way to the bridal suite, it’s only a few doors down.

  It’s so quiet up here, I only hear the sound of my footsteps against the bathroom tiles. Peeing in a wedding dress isn’t exactly an easy task, but I figure it out. I rub some more lip gloss off my cheek when I look in the mirror. My crown is somehow still in place.

  I need to get back before Lorenzo freaks out that I’m taking too long. These shoes hurt… I’m taking them off. No one can see my feet anyways.

  I kick off my heels as I leave the bathroom.

  “White is a little dishonest don’t you think?” Nicole is standing a few feet away from me, her face is still slightly bruised.

  She’s in formal attire, was she invited?

  “What the hell are you doing here?” I start to move closer but someone grabs my arms.

  There's a prick in my neck that burns and then the world goes black.

  Chapter 23: Master Plan

  Holy fuck my head hurts. Why is it dark?

  I hear something spinning, like a fan or maybe an air conditioner?

  I’m cold, my hands feel frozen. I can’t move them… where are they?

  “You’ve gotta be fucking kidding me.” I mumble, realizing my hands are locked in place tightly behind my back. I’m tied to something but I don’t know what. Whatever it is, it’s supporting my back. I must be sitting up.

  “There she is…” A man’s voice saunters darkly.

  I can’t see him. It’s too dark. Shit, my eyes are closed. Open them, Katherine!

  “You’re a hard woman to get alone, Kitty Kat.”

  Chills run up my spine. My palms twitch in their binds.

  “No, no, no.” I whisper desperately.

  “Oh yes.” The voice moves closer. “It’s been a while baby; did you miss me?”

  My eyes finally open and my heart sinks, Gustavo is crouching down in front of me. He’s holding a silver 1911 casually. His brown hair is longer than I remember and it looks almost wet, falling around his face chaotically.

  “Gus.” I gasp, all other words escape me.

  “Now baby…” The gun brushes a piece of hair from my face. “You know how this works. Surely you haven’t forgotten… when I ask you a question, you answer it.”

  “I don’t know which answer you want.” I pant as the cool metal grazes my skin.

  I don’t know if yes or no is the answer he wants. No is rude, but yes could make him mad too. Gustavo is specific and easily made angry.

  “See, look at that.” He tells someone in the room I can’t see. “Eight years and she still kno
ws exactly how to behave.”

  The gun caresses my face again. He seems different in some way.

  “If you don’t know what answer I want, don’t give me the wrong one. You’ll regret it.” I repeat the words he’s told me hundreds of times.

  “Music to my ears, kitty.” Gustavo smirks at me.

  “You didn’t have to kidnap me to talk to me sir. I only stayed away because you said I couldn’t come back.” I try to lie, it’s only partly a lie. I would kill him if he approached me, but I did only stay away for fear of execution.

  “Oh, you know me better than that, mi amor. I’ve always had a flair for the dramatic.”

  “Of course.” I murmur, trying to rack my brain. “What do you need me to do?” I ask, trying to stay calm.

  “My god, I could kiss you right now Kat. Just like old times.” Now his empty hand caresses my cheek, his hand is as cold as stone. His face leans into mine and his lips touch my cheek. “See how she didn’t ask ‘where am I?’ or ‘why are you doing this?’ She knows just how she’s supposed to act, it’s fucking beautiful.” He asks the person I can only see a shadow of.

  My body vibrates with a sick feeling but I keep still. My eyes start to feel less clouded, and I take in more of the room. I’m not in the bridal suite anymore. The room is small, there’s only one window and one door and it’s nearly empty.

  “Well trained, like a dog.” It’s a woman’s voice coming from the shadows.

  Gustavo doesn’t like her comment, he rolls his eyes and turns to her. That’s when the puzzle falls into place. Nicole is behind him.

  Dumb fucking bitch. I’m going to kill her. I’m going to enjoy killing her.

  “Don’t talk out of turn.” Gustavo and I say this at the same time.

  His eyes shoot back to mine, I see his face shape in lust.

  “It’s like I made you in a fucking computer.” He looks so pleased.

  No, you made me with corporal punishment and trauma. Trust me, if you didn’t have me bound and at a complete disadvantage, I wouldn’t be so well behaved. I’d carve your heart out.

  “What do I need to do for you, Gus?” I ask again, keeping my anger at bay.