by M. D. Melai
“Anything, you know that.”
“How do you know Dante is the one? How can you marry him knowing that one day he might walk out the door and not come back?”
She smiled at me and took my hands before she spoke. “He just is. He kind of always has been, and that is how I can marry him knowing that. I would rather spend one day being his wife than to spend forty years being married to someone I knew would never leave me. No matter what happens from here on out, at least I can say I married the love of my life, and we loved each other fiercely and passionately every day no matter how long or short the time was.”
Violet paused for a moment, letting her words sink in before she began again. “Lucas and Emilio both work for your family, either one could walk out the door and never come home. Both of them are amazing in their own way, and both will make great husbands one day. The question you need to ask yourself is, which one is your one day?”
“Violet,” Sarah said as she knocked on the door, making both Violet and me jump. “It’s…,” she began before the door flew opened and she took us in. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes,” we both said together before we looked at each other and laughed.
“Well, if everything is okay, then it’s time.”
***
Violet and I were patiently waiting in a small tent next to where the wedding ceremony was about to take place.
The ride down had been interesting. Frank had driven us down in a golf cart that that had been sealed on one side so no one would be able to catch a glimpse of Violet.
“I always knew you would marry into this family.” I smiled at Violet as I took one last look at her. The music had already started and our mothers were both being ushered down the aisle. “You make Dante a better man.”
“Thank you.” She smiled as she squeezed my hand tight. “I can’t believe today is the day, and I’m about to marry him. I’ve dreamed of this day my whole life.”
“I know.”
And I did. She had been following Dante around since the first time she came to my house when she was five. Dante couldn’t stand her, and she thought he was prince charming. Their love had been slow growing, but once it shined, it shined brightly.
“Lily,” Kay said as she entered the tent. “It’s your turn.”
“I love you,” I said as I leaned over and kissed Violet’s cheek. “Now it’s time to make you an official Dapprima. God bless you, because you’re going need it,” I laughed. Violet just shook her head and smiled at me.
I took a deep breath as I grabbed my beautiful bouquet of white, coral, and yellow roses from Kay and placed them in front of me. I loved how the dash of turquoise set the entire arrangement aglow. I took one last look at Violet and gave her thumbs up as my intro started to play.
As I rounded the set of guest and stepped into the center of the aisle, my breath immediately left me.
Emilio was standing there all dressed up, looking so handsome, and staring straight at me. He was genuinely smiling. It was beautiful and rare.
I couldn’t take my eyes off of him as I made my way down the aisle and took my place.
When the wedding march started, we tore our eyes from each other as we watched Violet make her entrance.
Dante’s reaction wasn’t what I had expected. Violet’s, though, was. They both had tears flowing down their faces as they watched each other. Their gaze, never unlocking, was so intimate I almost wanted to look away—it was so personal.
“Who gives this woman to this man?” the priest said, beginning the ceremony.
“Her mother and I do,” Frank said, before giving Violet a small kiss on the cheek.
Throughout the ceremony Emilio and I kept catching glimpses of each other, and I wondered at times what he was thinking.
Other than the few peeps I took at Emilio, I stayed as focused as possible on the ceremony. So when it came to hearing the vows, I was just as engrossed as everyone else.
“Violet Nicole Masterson,” Dante began. “I will never forget the first day that Lily brought you home with her. You had pigtails, and your lips were covered in chocolate—not to mention that you knocked over a coat rack that ended up breaking my mother’s glass coffee table,” he said as he took a glance at our mother. “I should have known then how much I already loved you, but I didn’t. I was only seven at the time, and I thought girls had cooties.
“It took me several more years, and a couple of hints from,” Dante motioned his head towards Emilio, “him before I got the hint.
“You make me want to be the best man I can be, and be it for you. I promise to always catch you when you fall, to make you laugh every chance I can get, to hold you close when you’re having a bad day, and to love you unconditionally for the rest of our lives. I love you, always and forever—my forever.”
It took Violet a moment to compose herself after Dante’s vows. She had to wipe her tears away, so I quickly opened my clutch and handed her a tissue to wipe under her eyes. After she handed it back to me, she started hers.
“Dante Damien Dapprima, I have loved you for as far back as I can remember, even after you pushed me out of the ‘man cave,’ which resulted in you breaking my toe,” she laughed as she thought about the memory. “I loved you even more the day my date to senior prom dumped me right before we were leaving and you stepped up and took me, even though you swore that after you graduated you would never step foot into that school again.
“And I have loved you even more when you showed strength and courage through some really hard times over the last couple of years. I love you more today, than I did yesterday, and I will love you more tomorrow than I do today. I know this, for it is true. I promise to stand beside you, hold your hand, encourage you when needed, and love you fiercely until the day I die. I love you, always and forever—my forever.”
***
The rest of the ceremony was joyous, and now it was time to party.
I had been so wrapped up in the ceremony and other things that I hadn’t had the chance to look for Lucas. It was easy to spot him as I made my way into the area designated for the reception.
He was talking to a few of the guys and looking just as handsome as ever. Just the sight of him set butterflies fluttering in my stomach.
I sighed as I stood there for moment looking at him. How was it I had a connection with two separate men? Why was I the unlucky person who had to choose between the two?
Neither one of them was making my decision easier on myself.
The reception was amazing. The lights from earlier were beautiful and twinkled like stars against the night sky. The tables were adorned with outrageous centerpieces and beautiful flowers. The dinner was delicious, and Emilio and I entertained the guests with our best man and maid of honor speeches.
Dante and Violet’s first dance was… well something no one will ever forget. It had YouTube sensation written all over it.
I had to admit they got us good. Here they were dancing to this romantic song, when it sounded like the track skipped, and then all of a sudden “Get Low,” by Lil’ Jon and the Ying Yang twins came on. It was epic and totally something that Dante and Violet would do.
I was almost sad to see Dante and Violet cut into their five tiered masterpiece of a cake. I kept my fingers crossed Dante wouldn’t smear it across her face. Thankfully, he didn’t. I would say it was because he was man enough not to do it, but the death glares Violet was sending steered him away from that.
I had spent the last hour being pushed around the dance floor from about every guy in the room, except the men that shared my heart.
I would catch glances of both of them watching me while I twirled around the dance floor. Lucas would smirk at me and mouth that it was his turn soon. Emilio, always so serious, watched me intently.
Lucas was the first one to finally approach me.
“I can’t take it anymore,” he admitted. “Dance with me…”
“Yes,” I laughed as he took my hand. My heart immediately
took off at a sprint the moment he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close.
“I can’t get over how stunning you look tonight,” he said smiling.
“Thank you, you don’t look too bad yourself.”
He pulled me in closer and held my tightly as we danced around the floor. The closeness was enough to let me know that what we had was something special.
As the music started to slow down, so did our pace of dancing. I leaned my forehead on the side of his chin and breathed him in. His scent was something that I had become used to—always making me feel calm and relaxed.
Once again, the song changed and he leaned back and stared straight into my eyes. His blue eyes were entrancing as he started to speak.
“Are we still on for lunch this week?” he asked.
“Definitely,” I replied. “With Violet gone the next two weeks, Elle is bound to drive me insane. She knows I love her, but she’s a lot to take in sometimes. How people got the two of us confused, I seriously don’t know,” I laughed.
“I’m not sure either. She’s no you.”
“Sometimes I feel like I’m not me,” I admitted quietly, hoping he didn’t hear me. It wasn’t something that I’d normally share, but then again, I’ve been telling Lucas things like that our entire relationship.
“I get that. Your whole world has been flipped upside down. I honestly don’t know why you haven’t taken off again. I really thought you would.”
“Trust me, it did cross my mind. But there are more reasons for me to stay than leave. You being one of them.” I smiled at him, and he did the same back before he replied.
“Lily, I’ll keep my promise to you. If at any point you want to leave, then I will go with you. I promised you I’d follow you anywhere, and it’s as true today as it was when I said it to you that night in Paris. I don’t want to be a reason to hold you back—I want to be the strength that helps make you better.”
“I know that,” I responded quickly as I thought about what he said to me. He had been my strength many times.
“I’ll be here for you no matter what.”
“Thank you,” I said as I rose up on my tip toes and kissed Lucas on the cheek.
“I think you have monopolized enough of her time for now Trivelli, don’t you think so?” Emilio’s voice sounded playful, yet held an underlined tone.
I could tell Lucas didn’t want to let me go, but Emilio wasn’t going to move, and we both knew it.
“I’m not sure I agree with that,” Lucas said as he looked down at me with loving eyes. “Another dance later?”
I nodded before Lucas smiled at Emilio, and headed towards the tables.
When I turned to face Emilio, his jaw was clenched, and I could see his muscles tighten under his shirt. I could tell it was taking every ounce of strength he had not to say something to Lucas.
“Are you going to dance with me or make me stand here?” I said, trying to defuse the situation. I thought today was going to be awkward with the two of them around, but it hadn’t been—until this moment.
Emilio softly took my hand and twirled me around before he pulled me in tight.
Just like I always did when I was dancing with Emilio, I laid my head on his shoulder and listened to his heartbeat. It was rapid at first, but the longer we danced the more steady it became.
We stayed like that for a while, and every now and then I would sneak a glance at Dante and Violet dancing. They were so sweet. Violet looked up at one point, and her eyes sparkled like I had never seen before. I couldn’t have been any happier for them. Those two were made for each other.
“I always knew they would end up together,” Emilio said.
“Me too,” I said, looking up at him.
Those stormy gray eyes looked into mine as if he was searching for something, like he was trying to reach into the core of my soul to find it. I was paralyzed in that moment, wondering what it was he was searching for, and what he would find when he found it.
He was the one to break eye contact before he pulled me back in close.
“You look beautiful tonight,” he whispered in my ear before he leaned down, kissed my two scars, and then turned to walk away. Now more than ever, I wondered what he had seen.
***
Dante and Violet said their goodbyes to everyone as midnight approached. Everyone grabbed their glow sticks to wave goodbye to them as they came down the steps. I had wanted to use sparklers, but Violet was terrified that she and Dante would catch on fire.
Everyone there hugged, kissed, and congratulated them as Dante and Violet made their way down the line of people. When it was my turn, I told them that I hoped they would have a great time in Bora Bora and to enjoy every moment of it.
Violet told me to hold down the fort until she returned and to stay out of trouble. Unfortunately, little did she know, trouble was exactly what I was going to be seeking in her absence.
Chapter 11
“Do you have everything that you need for tomorrow?” Elle asked as we were locking up the office.
I couldn’t believe tomorrow was the day I was going to meet face-to-face with Viktor Heinrich. I had been in contact with Lorenzo and Paolo over the past week getting ready for this day, going over plans, and getting extra training, just in case it was needed.
They had also insisted we have extra back up and promised to be discreet about it. It just made my job a little harder, because I was in charge of making sure Emilio was distracted and that he didn’t realize he was missing a few of his men. They had also told me how bad of an idea they thought this was, but they said they would stick by me anyways. As Paolo put it, “it’s safer if we go with you than to send you in alone.”
I included Elle too. Not because I wanted to, but because I needed her help. She was in charge of keeping Emilio busy for the day. I gave her strict instruction on how to handle any phone calls from him. I didn’t think he would stop by since he knew how busy I was with my family’s and clients’ projects. We had more than we could handle at the moment, and with Violet gone, I was a little overwhelmed. But tomorrow was important to me, and it had to be done.
“Yeah, I think so. I’ve been training with Lorenzo and Paolo, and they have a solid plan just in case something doesn’t go our way. We will all be armed, including me. The only thing I’m not prepared for is what Heinrich wants to discuss with me. Nothing he has to say can be good.”
“I would definitely be freaked out if I were you,” Elle said as she threw her arm over the top of my shoulders. “Just think on the bright side—at least he hasn’t put a hit out on you…yet.” She half hugged me into her side. “See, it could always be worse.”
That didn’t make me feel any better. While I didn’t know if he ever had ordered my death, I did know he had for Elle. If it hadn’t been for Emilio taking the bullet, then she wouldn’t be standing next to me right now.
“I’ll be fine. Paolo and Lorenzo are going with me, and we will have back up.”
“I know. It’s just not something I thought you would ever do.”
“Me neither. But it’s time to find out what we’re up against. I not only want to know his motive, I need to know. We have to get ahead of them somehow. Oh, and don’t forget I will drop my necklace off in the morning.”
“I won’t,” she said as she gave me a hug. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
And with that, she headed towards her car.
I was ready for tomorrow. This whole ordeal had gone on long enough. I was tired of being beaten and bruised, and I refused to lose another family member. It was time for me to stand up to Viktor Heinrich, and I would do it with my head held high, just like my father taught me.
***
“You ready?” Lorenzo asked as we pulled up to our meeting place.
Lorenzo and Paolo had found an old warehouse that used to be a storage place for my family. They scouted it out and said it seemed to be the most plausible of our choices. Our men had arrived hours before to get things set up and
in their positions before Lorenzo, Paolo, and I even arrived.
“I think so,” I said as I took a deep breath.
Lorenzo parked the car, and Paolo came around to my door and opened it.
“They’re already inside,” I heard a man say through my earpiece.
“Are they armed?” Lorenzo asked immediately.
“Yes, from what I can see. He also has three men with him, along with his children.”
Faith and Nikolas are here?
I knew that they had done some work for him, but last I knew he hadn’t included them on anything. At least that was what Nikolas told Lucas when we were in Barcelona. Maybe things had changed.
“Okay, Paolo and I will stick with Lily,” Lorenzo was talking quietly to the air. “Everyone hold your positions and keep us updated if you see any movement. We won’t keep Lily in here for one second longer than she needs to be. As soon as we exit the doors, have the car running. Understood?” Lorenzo ordered.
“Noted,” several other voices said.
I took my first step toward the building, and then the next. I still couldn’t believe that I was doing this. For all I knew, I was walking to my death. But this needed to be done. I needed to know the truth about everything.
Lorenzo took point and Paolo followed closely behind me as we made our way into the building.
As soon as I walked in, I immediately noticed Faith and Nikolas were seated in the middle of the open warehouse at a table on either side of their father. Nikolas looked just like Viktor Heinrich, except his father’s head was shaved, and his eyes were fiercer looking that Nikolas’s.
Viktor had broad shoulders and a hefty build. He looked more like a professional wrestler than the head of an organized crime family.
Behind him stood the three men we had been warned about. Two stood off to the side, and one stood directly behind Heinrich himself.
James.
He still had those familiar haunting blue eyes that chilled me to my core.
“Liliana Dapprima,” Viktor said, dragging out my name. “Allow me to introduce myself, I’m—”