“I know it might be hard with Amber being the way she is, but she's not stupid, Draven. She's bright and beautiful, they both are, and they have so much love to give. I just need to know that you'll try to let them into your heart.”
He takes my hand from his face and kisses my knuckles. “I already love them, Marnie. They are a part of the woman I love. How can I not love them?”
I wrap my arms around his neck and climb onto his lap. Straddling his waist, I kiss him softly. He's made it quite clear that he won't sleep with me until the doctor gives me the all clear, and that's not really what I want right now. All I do want is to lie in his arms while I sleep. He loves me, and he loves my girl's, and I don't know how I'll ever be able to thank him for everything he's done for me.
“You have no clue what this means to me.” I kiss his shoulder tenderly. “I love you so much, Draven Vidal.”
“I love you, too.” He whispers in my ear before lifting me as he gets to his feet, all to lay me down and climb into bed next to me, where he holds me in his arms, stroking my hair and whispering his sweet words into the night.
Only time will tell if we can really bring Lydia and Amber home. They know that I'm their mother; they've always been told that I am. I even gave them a picture of myself a couple of years ago so they could keep it in their room. Lydia told me that she and Amber needed to see me every day so they could kiss the picture and tell me they loved me. I held them so close to me that day.
I have a picture of them also, in a private place where no one could find it. I'll show Draven tomorrow, and I'm excited to finally be able to let someone see the little girls who own my heart.
I'm even more excited for Draven to meet them. Lydia talks and talks, but my Amber doesn't say much. She can talk well enough, she knows her own mind, and I won't have anybody thinking she's different from her sister just because she has Down's.
Soon you'll be home with me baby girls. Once you are, Mommy is never going to let you go again. I promise.
Chapter Eighteen
Draven
I'd like to make a toast to the happy couple. So if you'll all raise your glasses?” I wait until everyone in the room has their glass aloft, waiting in anticipation to hear what I have to say about my best friend and his beautiful wife.
I've got to admit that Amy looks beautiful, and the smile on her face has stayed the whole day. I've never seen the girl look so stunning as she does today. It was hard to imagine her in any sort of dress, probably because I've never seen her in one, but she is a vision in white today.
It's nice to see Tony so happy and in love, but I can see him still eyeing the room just in case anything is amiss. His mind is still on work, it never shuts down, just as mine doesn't. However, there are plenty of men to keep watch right now, and I want Tony to relax a little, this is his wedding day!
Tony has a huge family, and every one of them is here today. Amy has a smaller family; her adopted family, all of them are here too. The venue is packed out, so I have to be extra vigilant, especially with Marnie. She's right beside me looking like a million dollars in her blue cocktail dress, looking like the Don's wife.
“As you all know, Tony and I have been friends a long time. It's no secret that Tony is the only man other than my brother whom I trust with my life and the life of my fiancée.” I smile at Marnie, and her smile is so bright it warms my heart. “It's also no secret that I don't allow anyone who works for me to date, let alone marry.”
There's complete silence in the crowd. They don't know if they should laugh or stay silent. It's a damn wedding what do they think I'm going to do, kill them?
“However, when I saw the love between these two,” I point to Amy and Tony. “I knew I couldn't stand in the way. I wish them health and happiness, and many babies.” Laughter fills the room, and Tony's mother blows me a kiss.
I have much respect for that woman. Alessia De Luca was a good friend to my mother, her husband, Armondo was loyal to my uncle, the Don before me until he was assassinated protecting my uncle. Alessia is a strong woman, who is not afraid to kill if needed. She's as loyal as her son to the Vidal family, and I have a lot of time for my surrogate aunt.
“Congratulazioni!” I yell while raising my glass higher.
“Congratulazioni!” Fills the air, and I retake my seat.
One or two others stand to make speeches, but I'm not listening to them, my eyes are firmly on Marnie as she looks out over the room with a smile on her face. She's glowing today, every part of her. She notices me watching as she turns to look at me, and she leans in and kisses me.
I wrap my arms around her for a moment, noticing Alessia watching us. She tips her head, and I nod. It's time I introduced Marnie to Alessia.
“Come with me. There's someone I'd like you to meet.” I help Marnie to her feet.
“Wait! Before you take off with her.” Amy pulls Marnie away from me. I roll my eyes and fold my arms around my chest. “Thank you so much for being here. Today wouldn't have been the same without you.”
“I wouldn't have missed it for the world.” I watch the two of the hug.
Tony bumps my shoulder. I look at him. “It's been a good day.”
“It would be even better if you relaxed enough to really enjoy it. You're off the clock, Tony, you don't need to keep a lookout.”
“I'm never off the clock, Boss.” I knew he would say something like that. “When did we get so lucky, Draven? Men like us; we don't deserve to be as happy as they make us.”
“Speak for yourself.” We both laugh, but he's right, we don't deserve them. “You know, they both might think the same about us.”
“Oh, they do. They've each told me at one time or another.”
I should have known Marnie would confide in Tony. I shouldn't be jealous of something so simple, but I am. I shake it off because this isn't the time to be annoyed; this is Tony's big day. I'm not about to make it all about me.
“I was about to take Marnie to meet your mother, but it seems the girls are deep in conversation.”
“I wonder what the hell women find so fascinating to talk about? Have you ever listened to them talking?”
I shake my head. “I can't say that I have.”
“They literally talk about anything. The damn trees would be a huge talking point for a woman.” I roll my eyes and shake my head. He has no clue. “It's nice to see Amy with a friend she can trust. God knows she finds that shit hard.”
By rights, my employee's should not be getting close to Marnie. They are to be loyal and respectful to her at all times, but my wife is not their friend. Marnie knows this, I've made it clear that she can be as polite as she likes, but she isn't to befriend my workforce. How am I meant to stop Marnie being friends with Amy though when I'm friends with Tony?
Marnie is a friendly person, and people are attracted to her personality, but not everyone can be trusted. Even those who work for me can turn on you with the flick of your finger. Most, especially the older members of the family, believe their loyalty is to me and not my wife. They'll soon learn their lives won't be worth living if they ever turn on Marnie.
Looking at Marnie and the way she's talking happily with Amy, I know I can't force them not to be friends. Everyone needs someone they can talk to. Marnie may have Brooke and the girls of the Snakes Henchmen, but I can't have my wife around those people for any reason other than family events. I won't have Marnie going over to that clubhouse willy nilly either, she is not one of them and never will be. She'll be a Vidal, and as my wife, she'll behave in a manner fit for the Don. No exceptions!
“Draven? Come dance with me.”
“How can I say no to such a beautiful woman?” Tony laughs and takes his wife to the dance floor. I take Marnie's hand and follow them. In my arms, I sway her to the sound of love song with a slow beat. She looks up at me, and I feel her power over me sinking deeper. “I love you.”
Her smiles brightens. “I love you, too. Whenever you say those words to me, my heart fi
lls with more love for you. I never knew I could feel like this, Draven.”
“All of this,” I move my eyes around the room. “Doesn't scare you?”
“There's nothing scary about a wedding.” Marnie laughs. “Although, there is a lot of security and bodyguards here. Will there be as many at our wedding?”
“More. I'm the Don, and you, my beautiful bride,” She smiles at me. “I will keep you safe. No matter what I have to do, even if I order a hundred men and women to cover our wedding, no one will get in or out without me knowing.”
“Anybody would think we were the king and queen of England.” I laugh at Marnie's fake British accent. It was pretty good. “Jokes aside, your lifestyle scares me, I'd be a liar if I said it didn't. That's not to say I won't get used to it in time.” She cups my face, and I can't tear my eyes away from those pools of blue. “You mean the world to me, and I am going to be by your side for the rest of our lives. No matter what life throws at us, we'll face it together. You'll teach me all the ways I can be a good wife,”
“I don't think I need to teach you that, baby.” I have no doubt she'll be my perfect wife.
“Okay, not that, but being the wife of a Mafia Don is new to me. There will be things you'll need to teach me, and I will learn with an open mind. I'm not always going to like the things you do, Draven, but I will never embarrass you in front of your men. That's not to say I'll let you get away with things at home.” She playfully scowls, and I can't help but laugh.
“You'll do just fine, Marnie. I have all the faith in the world in you.”
“As I have in you, and this queen loves her king.” I kiss the hell out of her because I can. I don't even care who's watching. “If you're going to kiss me like that, I hope you know as soon as this party is over...”
I kiss her to shut her up. I know what she's going to say, but I'm already semi-hard just kissing her. If she starts talking about us fucking, I'll drag her out of here before I've taken her to meet Alessia. Marnie laughs against my mouth, and I smile. “Don't say it right now, Marnie. It's been days since I touched you, and I'm hanging on by a thread.”
“I know what you mean.”
I straighten my tie and roll my shoulders. “I think it's time you met Alessia.”
“Tony's mom?” I nod my head. “Amy told me that she interrogated her when they first met. I know she thinks a lot of you, so what if she does the same to me? I'm fine holding my own, but I don't want to say anything that would be deemed disrespectful. What if she doesn't like me?”
“Don't worry; she'll love you.”
I take Marnie's hand and lead her off the dance floor. I'm not sure where Alessia is. Lorenzo points me in the direction of Alessia's study through the double doors at the back of the room. I don't knock the door; I walk right in.
Alessia smiles at me from her seat beside the open window. “Draven,” She rises from her seat and kisses my cheek. “I'm sorry I had to sneak out of the party. This house is beautiful, it's why I chose it, but it's not big enough for all these people, I fear. I'm feeling a little claustrophobic.”
I narrow my eyes slightly; this house is not small. In fact, it's bigger than mine. I understand her feeling claustrophobic with this many people here, she hasn't been able to handle it since her husband was killed, but saying her house is too small? That I don't get. “Are you sure you're okay?” She looks a little pale.
She waves me away and smiles at Marnie. “You much be Marnie.”
“It's nice to finally meet you, Mrs. De Luca.”
“Likewise, Marnie, and you may call me Alessia” Alessia kisses Marnie's cheeks. She keeps hold of her hand and smiles widely. “You are stunningly beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
“Won't you please take a seat.” We do on the Victorian style couch Alessia has in this large room.
I still don't know why she insisted Tony and Amy have their wedding reception here. I offered the ballroom at my house, which is much larger, but I suppose she is his mother, and this house of hers is magnificent — a sprawling mansion surrounded by trees and horses that Alessia allows to roam free until the winter.
As beautiful as this house is, I honestly don't think she's been really happy here in a very long time. Although she isn't happy, she hardly ever leaves this place these days. I feel terrible looking at her right now. This woman was a very good friend of my mothers, and my mother would be ashamed that I haven't noticed something is wrong before now.
“Can I get you both some tea?” Tea. Alessia has always got a pot of tea near. Anybody would think she was a hundred years old! Tony swears its the British in her. Alessia's father was Italian, but her mother was English, and Alessia was born there. They moved to America when Alessia was fourteen because my grandfather offered her father a job. Yes, Alessia's family have worked for mine for a long, long time.
“No, thank you.” Marnie answers, I shake my head.
“How are you finding things with this young man, Marnie?” I try to hide the smirk on my lip. Alessia also adopts a very upper-class British accent when in the company of young ladies like Marnie.
“Good.” Marnie looks at me and smiles. “Really good.” I shoot her a wink.
“Draven's mother was one of my best friends. Did you know that?”
“I did. Both Draven and Maria told me.”
Alessia nods her head. “She was my dear, dear friend.” I narrow my eyes, Alessia doesn't show sadness to anyone, yet right now, she seems to be drowning in it. “I hadn't been in this country many years when I met her. When Joseph introduced his new bride, I instantly liked her. I befriended her, and Helen welcomed me into her life so easily. I miss her so very much right now.”
I am absolutely gobsmacked to see her subtly wipe a tear from her eye. What the hell is going on? If anyone has hurt her, I'll kill them!
“Helen would have loved you, Marnie. You have a kind heart, I can feel it. That's how I know you are just the woman Helen would have wanted for Draven. Helen was such a beautiful woman with a warm and generous soul. I am so very happy I no longer have to keep her secret.”
The secret of my mother’s identical twin sister, Hillary, Hammer and Tank's mother. I had no idea Alessia even knew that fact until Jessica was born. She was acting oddly while holding Maria, kissing her head and saying she was sorry.
Tony told me that he thought his mother was keeping something important from me, and he was worried. In fact, he was scared for her; I could see it. He knows better than anyone that I don't like secrets, especially when it comes to the family. His loyalty to me meant he felt compelled to tell me about his mother regardless of who she was to him.
If Alessia had been anyone else and they'd refused to tell me what they knew the way she did, I would have tortured them for the information. However, Alessia broke down and begged me for forgiveness, that she only did what she did because she loved my mother so much and couldn't break her promise even in death.
Alessia finally admitted that she'd known all along about Hillary and Sam, and how she longed to help my mother reunite with her sister. I should have killed Alessia then and there for not telling me what she knew sooner. She knew how desperate I wanted to know if Sam was really my brother, yet she said nothing!
Obviously, I didn't kill her because I knew Alessia was merely being loyal to my mother. She also wanted to protect my brother from Joseph the way my mother had tried all these years. Besides, the woman had been punished enough when she lost not only her husband but her young daughter.
I watch her now holding Marnie's hand, smiling, and telling her all about my mother, I know something more is wrong, but I won't bring it up with her until I can get her alone. I won't leave it too long though. I promised my mother when I visited her grave last week that I would take care of everyone she loved, including Alessia. I make her the same promise each time I go there, but I haven't done a very good job of late where Alessia is concerned.
“We were like sisters, and our sons were like brothers
. Draven was Helen's pride and joy, and she fought so hard to keep him. I watched her beg Vinny literally on her knees not to let the elders take Draven from her. No one else had ever done that before, not even Vinny's mother. Vinny was so impressed with Helen and how far she was willing to go for her baby. Helen, even though she didn't love Joseph, was so in love with her unborn son.”
No one else would get away with talking so freely about family business like this. I know Alessia wouldn't be either if it were not Marnie she was speaking to. She did warn me beforehand that she'd be talking about my mother; Christ knows what else she's going to say.
“You are going to be a wonderful father, Draven. I know this because you have your mothers heart. You always do what's necessary as the Don, but your heart is good. Can you believe I'm going to be a grandmother, Draven?”
“I can, and you'll be amazing.”
Alessia nods sadly. She shouldn't be sad, and I have a damn knot in my stomach thinking something could be seriously wrong with her. “I know about your little girls, Marnie.”
Marnie shifts in her seat uncomfortably. No one else knows anything yet because I'm working on finding the girls and making sure they are recognized as my daughter's. However, Alessia knows because I asked her advice yesterday on how to go about things. If anyone knows how to forge documents, it's this woman.
“Oh, my darling,” Alessia scoots forward in her chair and takes both of Marnie's hands in her own. “Don't feel bad. What happened was not your fault. Not everyone can have perfect parents, ones who will love and cherish us. Some people are born to monsters who revel in the misery of their children. You were born to those people, and they hurt you, but I know you tried to keep those little girls. I also know you don't fully believe they will ever be found.”
I close my eyes when a tear slips from Marnie's eye. I wish I could make her believe me when I tell her that I won't stop until I've found Lydia and Amber, but it's not easy. It's not that she doubts me, but Marnie doesn't think we'll find the girls because there is nothing to say they even exist. There is always a way.
Vidal!: Snakes Henchmen MC Page 18