by L A Cotton
in sickness and in health,
to love and to cherish,
till death do us part.
This is my solemn vow.
“Now Arianne...”
I, Arianne Carmen Lina Capizola take thee, Niccolò Luca Marchetti,
to be my wedded husband,
to have and to hold,
from this day forward,
for better, for worse,
for richer, for poorer,
in sickness and in health,
to love and to cherish,
till death do us part.
This is my solemn vow.
“And now the exchanging of the rings.” The officiant called Enzo forward. “The ring is symbolic, it is without beginning and without end. I believe this exchange of rings not only reminds us of the unending love you have for each other, but also reflects the eternal love God has for each of you. May I have the token of the groom’s love for Arianne?” He turned to Enzo who offered up a small velvet pouch.
“Niccolò, repeat after me...”
This ring I give in token and pledge, as a sign of my love and devotion. With this ring, I thee wed.
Nicco slid the band onto my trembling finger, his touch lingering as if he wanted to savor the moment.
“And now may I have the token of the bride’s love for Niccolò?” Enzo handed the officiant Nicco’s wedding band and he offered it to me.
This ring I give in token and pledge, as a sign of my love and devotion. With this ring, I thee wed.
I pushed the plain gold band onto Nicco’s finger. The officiant placed our hands atop of one another’s and took them in his. “Niccolò and Arianne, since you have consented together in holy matrimony, and have pledged yourselves to each other by your solemn vows and by the giving of rings, and have declared your commitment of love before God and these witnesses, I now pronounce you husband and wife in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Those whom God hath joined together, let no man separate.” He smiled. “Niccolò you may kiss your bride.”
Nicco turned to me and moved in, pressing his palm against my cheek. “Ti amo più oggi di ieri ma meno di domani.” His lips brushed mine, but I fisted his jacket, pulling him closer and deepening the kiss.
This man was mine, just as I was his, and I wanted the world to know.
People began to cheer, but it was the officiant who cleared his throat. I buried my face in Nicco’s shoulder.
“It’s okay, my wife.” Nicco coaxed me out. “We have time.” His eyes glittered with promise. And I knew he was right.
We did have time.
We had all the time in the world.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” the officiant’s voice rose over the thud of my heart, “it is my privilege to introduce to you for the very first time, Mr. and Mrs. Marchetti.”
“YOU KNOW, NICCO IS a good guy, but I think you picked the wrong Marchetti.”
“Nice, Dane, real nice.” Enzo approached us. “Don’t let him hear you say that. He already beat your ass once, but he’ll do it again.”
“I can take him,” Dane scoffed.
“Keep telling yourself that, kid. And lay off the liquor before your old man realizes you're drunk.”
“I’m not drunk...” He swayed on his feet. “I’m just happy.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Enzo clapped him on the back and gave him a gentle shove toward where Arabella and Bailey were sitting. “Go hang out at the kiddie table.”
“He’s a sweet kid.”
“He’s trouble.” Enzo smirked. “You okay?”
“I’m good.” I smiled. “Just resting my feet.” I kicked up my dress to reveal my lack of shoes.
“That’s just... weird.” He jammed his hands in his pockets, his eyes fixated on the dance floor.
“You could go dance with her you know?” I said. I didn’t really like the idea of Enzo with my best friend, but the tension between them was undeniable. Only I couldn’t decide if they were harboring sheer hatred or burning lust.
“I don’t dance.”
“Matteo seems to have no problem.” He spun Nora around like a rag doll, the two of them laughing and smiling.
“I’m pretty sure the bride isn’t supposed to be hiding in the shadows, watching as everyone else enjoys her big day.” He cast me a sideways glance.
“I’m not hiding, I’m just... taking a breather.”
The Marchetti family was big. Full of loud characters and overbearing women. Nicco had spent the first hour of the evening introducing me to the people I had yet to meet. Everyone was sweet enough, but it was exhausting, and I needed to catch my breath.
“I spent the last five years of my life locked away on my father’s estate, this is a lot.”
“Welcome to the crazy. And everyone loves Nicco. He really is the Prince of Hearts.”
I could see that, watching as he moved from table to table to greet people and check they had all they needed.
“They already look at him like he’s...” The words died on my lips.
“The boss?” Enzo’s brow went up, and I nodded. “You’re not going to break my boy’s heart, are you? Because you were just starting to grow on me, Ari. I’d hate to have to—”
“I’m growing on you?”
“Yeah, like a bad rash.”
“Hey.” I jabbed him in the ribs.
“Seriously, though. You have nothing to worry about. You’re his Principessa now. And one day, you’ll be Queen. There is a line of Marchetti men who would take a bullet for you.”
There was a time such words would have instilled fear into my heart, but not anymore.
“Including you?”
“Yeah.” His expression turned serious. “Maybe even me.”
A beat passed and then I asked the question that I’d tried so hard to ignore.
“Do you think Scott will come back?”
“If he knows what’s good for him then he’ll stay far far away from Verona County. But if he does rear his ugly fucking head again, we’ll be ready.”
A shudder worked through me. It had been a little over a month since Mike Fascini was arrested and Scott escaped. Antonio’s men had searched high and low for him. After a couple of weeks, they decided he had left. Everyone was still on high alert, but life finally felt like it was returning to normal.
Well, as normal as you could get after marrying into one of the biggest crime families in New England.
“Hogging my wife, E?” Nicco found us. He came around to my side and cupped the back of my neck, kissing me deeply.
“I’m standing right here,” Enzo grumbled.
“I know.” Nicco smirked. “I’m hoping if I make you uncomfortable enough, you’ll leave me alone with my wife.”
“She has a name, you know?”
“I do. Arianne Carmen Lina Marchetti. Mrs. Marchetti.” He kissed the end of my nose. “My wife.”
“You’re drunk.” Curling my hands into his lapels, I leaned in. I could smell the whisky on his breath.
“I had one or two.”
“So long as you don’t end up like you did at your bachelor party.” My eyes shifted to Enzo and he straightened.
“That’s my cue to go.” He left us alone.
“Will you ever forgive me for that?”
“I loved those sneakers.” I pouted.
“And I love you.” Nicco fit his body between my legs, careful not to rumple my dress. “I missed you.”
“I just needed five minutes.”
“You’re not having fun?”
“No, I am. Today has been perfect. Your family are just... intense.”
His brows pinched. “Has someone said some—”
“Everyone has been very welcoming. I just...”
“It’s too much.” Dejection washed over him as his eyes dropped to the floor.
“Nicco, look at me.” I slid my fingers under his jaw. “It’s perfect. I couldn’t have asked for anything more. But you have to understand, I’m not from a big fa
mily. Sometimes I’m going to need space to catch my breath. That’s all it is.”
“You’re sure?”
I nodded. “I love you, Niccolò Luca Marchetti.”
He kissed me, hardly able to contain his grin. “Not as much as I love you, my wife.”
Chapter 31
Nicco
I watched Arianne as she danced with Nora and my sister. Genevieve and Arabella and some of the aunts had formed a circle around them, cheering and whistling.
“She looks good out there.” My father joined me at the bar.
“So does Genevieve.” I gave him a pointed look and he let out a hearty laugh.
“She’s...”
“More than just the housekeeper?”
“Yeah, Son. I think she is.” He dragged a hand over his face. “Do you think it’s too soon after—”
“Everyone deserves a shot at happiness. Just promise me things will be different this time. Alessia loves that woman. If you hurt her, I’m not sure she’ll ever forgive you.”
“Niccolò, I’m not that man anymore.”
I gave him an understanding nod.
“It has been a good day, Son. Arianne is glowing.” He was about to say something else when a figure stepped up to us.
“May I?” Roberto motioned between us.
“I have to say it, I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“You’re not the only one.” Arianne’s father was clearly uncomfortable. “But she’s my daughter, my blood. And I owe her. I owe more than I fear I will ever be able to repay.”
“We all make mistakes, Capizola,” my father grunted. “It’s what makes us human.”
“Thank you.” His lips pursed as if the words pained him. And maybe they did. You didn’t just bury a century's worth of bad blood.
“You protected my daughter where I couldn’t,” Roberto went on. “And you saved my life. I will be forever in your debt.”
My father regarded him. “That girl is special, and I will treat her as if she is one of my own. But it will never change the fact that she is Capizola.” He held out his hand. “I am willing to work for a better future. The future our forefathers wanted us to have.”
Roberto stared at my father’s hand as if it was contagious. But after a beat, he took it. “To the future.” They shared a long look before Arianne’s father blinked as if he couldn’t believe what had just happened.
“Excuse me, I need to find my wife before she embarrasses herself.”
“That was unexpected,” I said to my father as Roberto walked away.
“He’s finally realized some things are more important than business.” He laid a hand on my shoulder and squeezed. “I’m proud of you, Niccolò. Of the boy you were and the man you’ll become.”
And with that, he walked away.
“SO HOW DOES IT FEEL then?” Matteo asked me sometime later when the party was in full swing.
I dragged my eyes away from Arianne. “Huh?”
“Being hitched?”
“Fucking amazing,” I said around a grin.
“Jesus, you’re whipped.” Enzo dropped down into a chair with another glass of liquor. As the night went on, his mood had become increasingly dark. I suspected it had something to do with the fact Nora had spent the last hour dancing with Dane.
“She won’t go there,” I said. “He’s still in high school.”
“I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about,” he grumbled.
“No? So you won’t care that he’s making a mov—”
His head snapped over to the dance floor, murder in his eyes. Matteo bellowed with laughter. “Oh, man. You have it bad.”
“Fuck off. I don’t even like her. She’s... annoying.”
“You just need to get her out of your system.” Matteo smirked.
But there was something in Enzo’s eyes. Something that looked a lot like fear.
“Whatever you do, don’t screw her over. She’s Arianne’s best friend.”
“You can rest easy,” he grumbled. “I’m not going there.”
“Good to know.” I fought a knowing smile.
“Are you worried Fascini might show his face again?” He changed the subject.
“I’m not unworried. But our friends down at the local PD have an APB out on him and we’ve got our guys on it too. He’d be a fool to try anything.”
But he was always there, lurking in the back of my mind. Arianne had taken his disappearance better than I anticipated. But if I wasn’t with her, Luis and Jay were. We had eyes on her at all times, and they had eyes on them. That motherfucker wouldn’t get within ten feet of her without me knowing.
“Don’t let that piece of shit ruin your day. You’re married, man.” Matteo raised his glass at me. “It’s a good day.”
He was right. It was a good day.
The best day of my life.
As if she heard my thoughts, Arianne found me across the dance floor and crooked her finger.
“I think your bride wants a dance,” Matteo chuckled. “Go get her, tiger.”
I undid my cuffs and pushed my sleeves up.
“Oh shit, he means business,” Enzo teased and I flipped him off.
The circle of women parted as I made my way towards them. We’d already had our first dance but that was before the drinks had flowed. I wasn’t worried about Allegra’s steely gaze now, unlike earlier when she’d been dead set on giving us the perfectly timed day. The celebration was well under way and I wanted nothing more than to pull Arianne into my arms and claim her in front of everyone.
Which is exactly what I did.
Our lips met in a passionate kiss as I held her body flush to mine.
“Hi,” she breathed, breaking away to look at me.
“Hi yourself.” I leaned over her, kissing her again.
“Nicco, everyone is watching.”
“Let them watch. You’re mine now, Bambolina. Ti amerò per sempre, fino alla morte.” She slid her hands up my chest as I twirled us around to the music. “Have you enjoyed your day?”
Arianne’s lips curved. “It has been perfect.”
“Allegra did us proud.” I ran my nose over hers. I couldn’t get enough of her.
My attraction to Arianne had always been intense, but when I’d seen her appear down the aisle, it was like seeing her for the first time. Her eyes sparkled with so much love and happiness it made my heart stop. And her dress... It was sheer perfection as if it were made to fit her body. But despite how good it looked, I couldn’t wait to peel her out of it later.
The very thought had my blood running hot.
“When do you think we can leave?”
“It’s still early, we can’t just—”
“I want you, Mrs. Marchetti. I need you more than I need my next breath.”
She flushed, staring up at me through hooded eyes. “Soon.”
“Room for a little one?” Nora’s arms went around us both as she wiggled between us.
“Me too,” Alessia called, joining the huddle. Matteo and Dane were next, then Arabella and Bailey. Enzo hovered on the periphery until I beckoned him over and he reluctantly joined the fray.
“Only for you,” he mouthed.
“Thank you.”
Watching them surround us, witnessing their smiles and laughter, the joy radiating from everyone, it was the best feeling.
I’d spent so long at war with myself, with my destiny. But my father was right.
Love didn’t make you weak, it made you strong.
And I had everything I needed right here.
Good friends.
A loving family.
And the other half to my soul.
My wife.
SUNLIGHT STREAMED DOWN on me as I peeked open an eye. Arianne was curled up into my side, snoring gently, the sheet pulled up around her naked body. Hazy memories filled my mind of stripping her out of her dress and making love to her on the bed, and again in the walk-in shower. There wasn’t a single inch of her skin I hadn
’t teased and tasted, branded with my lips.
My dick stirred to life, rubbing against the curve of her ass.
“Hmm,” she murmured. “Is that a gun in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?”
Laughter rumbled in my chest as I hooked my arm around her waist and dragged her body closer. “Good morning, Wife.” I nipped her shoulder.
“Good morning, Husband.” She tilted her head, giving me her mouth. I kissed her, slow lazy licks of my tongue that had me desperate for more.
“How are you feeling?”
We’d barely slept, too lost in one another.
“I feel—”
A loud knock at the door sounded. “If that’s Enzo, I will strangle him.”
“It could be important. You should go see who it is.”
“Okay, but don’t move. I’m going to send them on their way and then come back and finish what we started.”
“We started something?” Her eyes finally opened, heavy lidded with sleep.
“Don’t. Move.”
“So bossy.” Arianne laughed softly as I climbed out of bed and pulled on my dress slacks.
The bridal suite at the Country Club was secreted away at the back of the property. One entrance in and out, with a balcony overlooking the lake and golf course. A balcony I had hoped to enjoy this morning with Arianne, when they delivered us our champagne breakfast.
“What?” I yanked open the door to be met with Enzo’s pale face. “What happened?”
“It’s Nora—”
“Nora?” Arianne gasped and I winced.
“I thought I told you to stay put, Bambolina?” I slipped my arm around Arianne’s shoulder and drew her into my side.
“Did you hurt her?”
“What? No!” Enzo balked. “She’s gone.”
“Gone? What the fuck do you mean, she’s gone?”
“I... we...” He inhaled a ragged breath. “After you called it a night, we stayed up drinking. One thing led to another and I ended up in her room. But when I woke up this morning, she was gone.”
“Maybe she didn’t want to do the awkward morning after?” Enzo wasn’t exactly known for his bedside manner.
“That’s what I thought, but all her shit is still in the room.” He held out a cell phone.