The Mafia Manipulation: A Ryker Group Book

by S. M. Dapelo

  “I’ll need to get his security detail names. Everyone whoever worked with him.” He took out his phone, shook his head, then put it away. “Go change. You were out for a bit, and we’ll be landing in about a half hour. Your dress is in the bathroom.”

  “Where are we going?” I asked.

  “Where else?” He gave an enormous smile. “Vegas baby.”

  15

  “So, do you want Elvis or one of the Kiss guys to marry us?” Marc asked as he scrolled through his phone in the back of the limo.

  I stared at him with my mouth open. “Neither. I just came to grips with marrying Luca, and now I’m supposed to marry you? I don’t think so.”

  “What did your father say?” he sang. I growled at him, causing him to chuckle. “I’m trying to find the tackiest wedding chapel in town. Which is worse?” He showed me two different pictures.

  “Why would I want tacky?”

  “Fun,” he shrugged. “If we have to do this, might as well make a joke out of it.” I rubbed my forehead. “I’m kidding,” he nudged my shoulder. “You get the best. I already had everything ordered before we headed out here.”

  “You confuse me,” I admitted. “One minute you’re this cold-blooded guy drugging me and the next you’re being sweet and funny. Which is it?”

  “Both. You should be used to it from your father. That said, I’m still praying Luc makes it here in time. It’s the reason we’re taking the long way to the chapel.” He looked out the window, “You ever been here before?”’

  I shook my head, “No. Dad never brought me, and Mom wasn’t interested in visiting. Gambling holds no appeal to me.” But boy, was this place bright. Neon lights sparkled and themed hotels lined up on the road. And the traffic, oh my God.

  “This is one of Luca’s favorite places,” he shrugged. “He’s a pretty good poker player, and he loves the shows. Comes at least once a year.”

  “What about you?”

  He shrugged, “There’s not much for me here. If I show up and it doesn’t include a meeting, wedding, or funeral, the other families might think I’m up to no good. I’m hoping we’re in and out quickly.” He reached over and grabbed my hand, “I’m sure he’ll make it in time.”

  “And if he doesn’t,” I bit at a nail on my other hand.

  “I’ll make a good husband,” he shrugged like it was no big deal, but I could see the sweat on his forehead. “Contrary to what I let on; I won’t cheat. I can give up other women.” He paused, “I’m almost positive.” He turned to me, “How do you feel about threesomes. I’m pretty sure it’s not cheating if you’re involved.” I rolled my eyes.

  “You don’t want to do this, it’s obvious. Let’s just call Luca now. I know you’re worried.”

  His face went to stone. “No. I made a call and your father, and I agreed on this. If Luca’s not there, I’m marrying you.” Neither of us spoke the rest of the trip which was extraordinarily long. I swear we went by the Eiffel Tower four times. Finally, we pulled up in front of a white and gold chapel, with flowers and a gazebo in the side yard and six white limos parked in front. “Well, we’re here,” Marc stated, not making a move to leave the car.

  “Are we staying the night in Vegas?”

  He stared at the building, “Yeah, but we’re leaving for the airport about six a.m. I got a couple suites at the Vdaro.”

  “I haven’t heard of that hotel?” We were dragging this out.

  “It’s in Aria. It’s a hotel within a hotel. Kind of like Nobu at Caesars.”

  “Why do you need a hotel within a hotel?” I asked.

  He blinked for a second. “Good question. I have no idea.” He stared at the building again. “Guess we should go in.” He didn’t move to open the door.

  I bit my lip, “We don’t have to. Can’t we just lie to everyone?”

  “No,” he sighed. “I said I’d do something, so I have to follow though. It’s part of who I am.”

  The door on my side yanked open. “Are you two coming in?” Luca stood there in a black suit, with a black shirt and white tie, holding a garment bag. I breathed out a sigh of relief.

  “Thank you, Jesus,” Marc yelled. I turned and glared at him. “Not that you’d be a bad wife, you’re exactly what I should be looking for,” he quickly tried to cover. “But…”

  “You see me as a little sister,” I helped him out.

  He pointed at me, “Exactly.”

  Luca rolled his eyes, “Whatever. Do you honestly think I’d let you marry her?” Now I glared at him. His face softened as he looked at me. “You’re mine. I’m not giving you up.” He gave a soft smile which stopped the evil thoughts starting in my head. “Plus, I brought your dress.”

  “I have one,” I looked down at the white mid-sleeved dress, which had a skirt that flared around my knees along with a pair of white stilettos.

  “And it’s beautiful. You can change into it for the small reception we’re having after. Feddi arranged for us to stay at a residence outside of town. It safer and more secure. Marc never thinks of security. He probably booked a suite at Aria,” he helped me out. “This is why I missed the flight. I got your wedding dress. The one you chose.”

  “You snuck into the Amato compound,” Marc got out of the limo, his face livid.

  “No, I got someone else to do it,” Luc jerked his thumb behind him. A tall thin girl in her late teens, maybe early twenties, stood there. She had straight dark hair that hung to mid-back, olive skin, and her eyes were duel colored, one brown and the other a deep green. She was wearing a high-low slip dress in a soft lavender color. “This is Ronnie. She’s Feddi’s,” he made a face as said the last word, “girlfriend.”

  “And Luca’s goddaughter,” she said with a wide smile, holding out her hand. “I’m so happy to meet you. If you need anything, let me know. I can get it.” I smiled at her. She seemed nice, if a little overly happy.

  “You brought your goddaughter in?” Marc stared at Luc, his jaw ticking.

  “If he didn’t none of us would have heard the end of it,” Feddi sauntered over and wrapped an arm around her. “We’ll go inside and make sure the musician is ready to go.”

  Marc frowned, “Musician?”

  “I was able to pull strings,” Feddi said as he walked away with the girl. “You two might not have pull in Vegas, but I do.”

  Marc shook his head. “I pulled these out of the vault. They’re already sized.” He handed a box to Luc, who flipped the top open. Inside were two white metal bands.

  Luc’s jaw ticked, “Is mine titanium?”

  “Of course. You’d destroy anything else.” Marc smiled at me, “Yours is platinum.”

  “Great,” I tried to breathe. I couldn’t stop picking at one of my cuticles.

  “You’re good, right?” Marc looked at Luc.

  “Oh, now you’re asking?” Luc raised a brow.

  “You have a brother who cares about you,” I snapped. “Be grateful.”

  “Hey.” Marc grabbed my hand, “You do too. I made a promise to Dom years ago, and he made the same promise to me.”

  “Which was?”

  “If anything happened, I’d take care of you, just like you were my own sister. That’s why the idea of marrying you was so icky,” he shuddered. I raised a brow. A mob boss saying ‘icky’ was a little out of my comfort zone. Of course, so was getting married tonight.

  “I don’t like the idea my mother can’t see this,” I tried to argue.

  “Already took care of it,” Luca smirked. “The whole wedding is going to be live-streamed and recorded. Your mom, dad, and Elena are watching it back in KC. Tomorrow, we’ll show up at a meeting Cos called. Everyone’s expecting a declaration of war, but what they’ll find is us, already married.”

  Marc looked at us a minute, “It’s going to be fine. Dom planned this years ago, and when was he ever wrong about anything?”

  “He married a woman who didn’t love him,” I glanced at him. “My brother was wonderful, but he wasn’t om
nipotent.”

  Luc kissed my knuckles. “We’re going to be fine, Alessandra,” Luc smiled.

  “And we stop a war,” I forced myself to smile.

  “We do,” he nodded. “But it’s more than that. I know it’s scary, but we’ll work out. I can feel it.” He walked me into the chapel and pointed at a room. “Go change in there. Ronnie will help with anything you need. I have a few items I need to discuss with the priest.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I was hoping Ronnie could be your maid-of-honor? I mean, you can always have Marc or Feddi if you want,” he rushed to say.

  “If I’m maid-of-honor I want the big bouquet,” Marc sang. Luc glared at him and I laughed.

  “He’s a lot happier now that you’re here,” I said. “Ronnie’s fine. If she’s your goddaughter, she should be involved. Why wasn’t she at the dress fitting?” I think I would have remembered her.

  “Because she had school,” Luc shrugged.

  “Oh, which college does she go to?”

  “You two can gossip later,” Feddi smiled as he pushed me toward his girlfriend standing at the door. “Right now, we’re on a timetable.”

  “I can’t wait to see your dress,” she smiled as Feddi handed it to her.

  “We can do a double tonight,” he smirked at her.

  “Out,” she pointed at the door. “Be happy I’m wearing the ring.”

  “He seems much more confident now,” I murmured as he winked and shut the door.

  “I don’t think I’ve ever seen him not confident,” Ronnie rolled her eyes. I had to wonder if we were talking about the same guy. “So how did you and,” she stopped for a moment as she unzipped the bag, “Luca meet?”

  “He kidnapped me,” I quipped.

  She stopped and stared, then rolled her eyes. “Of course, he did. God help us if any of these men act normal.” Huh, she believed me. I didn’t think anyone would believe me.

  “So where do you go to school?” I asked as I changed.

  “In San Francisco,” she smiled.

  “It has to be hard to be in a relationship with Feddi in Missouri,” I said, standing still as she slipped the dress over my head. “Is your family from there?”

  “No, I’m originally from New York. I used to dance in the ballet, but my guardian decided I needed a normal life,” she said. “He moved me to San Francisco, put me in with…” she grimaced, “Feddi’s family and the rest is history. Now I just need to worry about what my major should be in College. What did you major in?”

  “Commercial art, but I went to the art institute,” I bit my lip. “Why don’t you live with your family?”

  Her smile was gone. “You seem nice. How much do you know about Luca?” she bit out his name.

  “Not much,” I admitted, turning my back to her. “But I know he’s sweet, kind, and a bit overprotective. I know he’s hunting my brother’s killer and I know he found me when no one else could, so he’s smart and compassionate.” I felt her place the veil in my hair. It was a simple one, only attached by a comb.

  “Then why marry him?”

  I turned to see her frowning. “I know your protective of him,” I started, “but this will stop a mob war. I feel an attraction to him, heck I like both him and Marc. But Marc more as a brother.” I shrugged, “This isn’t an ideal beginning, but it has to happen.”

  Her eyes narrowed, “I’m not concerned about him.” She turned and walked out the door, slamming into Feddi. “Where is he?” she growled at him. I expected him to back down, but he only raised a brow.

  “Stay out of it, princess. He’s a grown man and can make his own decisions,” he said coolly.

  “Because he knows all the facts,” she said. “Now, where is he?”

  “Out by the gazebo. Just a warning, he’s always been sweet with you, but he’ll put you in your place on this one.”

  “We’ll see,” she stormed toward the doors.

  He looked at me and smiled, “You look beautiful Alley.”

  I ignored him, “Your girlfriend is intense.”

  “She is when she feels strongly about something,” he agreed, staring after her. “When she decides someone is worth it, she’ll move heaven and earth for them. It’s one of the reasons I love her.” He looked up at me, “Don’t tell her. She doesn’t need that kind of power over me.”

  “So, you’re from San Francisco?” He looked at me in shock.

  “I am,” he said slowly. “But my father has a few investments in Vegas, so I’m able to pull strings here. Luca’s one of my godfathers as well as Ronnie’s.”

  “Is that how you met?” I asked.

  “I met her at her father’s funeral and have loved her since then,” he smiled. “Ours has been a long engagement, so the whirlwind you and Luca have experienced has probably confused her.”

  “So, you guys have been engaged a year or so?”

  “Or so,” he kept his smile. He handed me a bouquet of white roses and blue irises. “This is your something blue and this.” He held up a ring usually seen on my father’s hand, “Is your something old and borrowed. Your dad said to give it to Luca after the wedding.” I stared at it and nodded. “Let’s get the two of you married so we can rest before heading back.” He tucked my arm into his and walked me toward the outside. “We arranged for the wedding to be in the garden. I think you’ll like it.”

  We walked toward the door and I could see Ronnie arguing with Luca. “She hates me,” I muttered.

  “No,” Feddi shook his head. “It takes a lot for Ronnie to hate someone. But she is worried because this is so fast. She’s a bit naïve about mob politics and doesn’t understand why. I shouldn’t have brought her in, but I was worried if she were left out of this, I’d never hear the end of it.” He smiled at me, “She’ll adjust. Just like you will.”

  Luca had a finger in her face and her arms were crossed. Before we reached them, I heard him say, “You need to trust me on this.” She gave a small nod and bit her lip.

  “No shit from you when Ron and I get married,” Feddi smirked at him. He growled at his younger counterpart, but his face softened when he looked at me.

  “You look beautiful button,” he smiled. Ronnie stared at him a moment, then nodded.

  “Feddi,” she rolled her eyes. “Walk me down the aisle and let the musician know to start.” She went on tiptoe and kissed Luca’s cheek. “I’m watching you,” she pointed at him.

  “As long as you learn, I don’t care,” Luca shrugged. Feddi took her arm and walked her to the gazebo. “I hope you don’t mind, me walking you out,” he said, bringing a hand up to cup my cheek. I shook my head.

  “Have you met this musician?” I asked him.

  “Yeah, he’s not half bad,” Luc smiled as he tucked my arm in his and walked me to the gazebo. The musician had silver hair in a spiky do, with a pierced lip and eyebrow. He sat, playing an acoustic version of 4AM by Bastille. His voice was beautiful.

  “Does he look familiar?” I asked.

  “Yeah,” Luc shrugged. “He’s a friend of Feddi’s and one of my other godsons, so I’ve known him since he was a kid.” I shrugged.

  They somehow convinced a local priest to do the ceremony. One of Marc’s men gave one of the first reading, Marc gave the second. Luc looked into my eyes as he said his vows, I stuttered during mine. I figured I was the only nervous one until I saw Luc’s hand shake slightly as he put the ring on my finger. His kiss was simple, yet intense. “We’re going to be fine,” he whispered against my lips as pulled back.

  After we got back in the cars, I turned to Luc. “Daddy said I was supposed to give this to you,” I handed him the ring. “It was my something borrowed.” He stared at the ring a moment, then nodded and put it on his pinky finger.

  “No matter what anyone tells you, I didn’t marry you for this,” he stared at me.

  “Right, you did it because I’m stunning,” I rolled my eyes.

  He crushed his lips to mine, capturing and plundering my mouth. He pulled away only e
nough to stare into my eyes, “Do you think I would have gone through with this if I didn’t feel something? If I thought this relationship wouldn’t work. Don’t fool yourself button. I wanted you, first. Everything else is just extra. You’re mine and I’m keeping you. Don’t ever say I never warned you.”

  “There’s no way you could…”

  “I watched you grow up, even though you never noticed anyone who hung out with your brother. I bought a painting of yours from some student gala the art institute had, and your father gave me another. You’re my favorite artist. I followed you around Colorado for a month. I spent time completely alone with you in a cabin in the woods. I know you,” he cupped my cheek.

  I bit my lip, “So what’s next?”

  “We find out who took a shot at me tonight. If we’re lucky, it’s the same person who shot at us earlier. And the same person who hurt Dom.” He smiled, “Then we get on with our lives.”

  I swallowed, “And what does that entail?”

  “Well,” he threaded his fingers through mine, “a big party your step-mother planned, helping your mom out as she goes through whatever treatment she does, and I’m thinking,” he put his head closer to mine and whispered, “a lot of play and exploration.” I felt my face turn hot again as he gave a deep chuckle.

  “Let’s get to the house,” Feddi slipped into the car, Marc and Ronnie following. “The guys have the party set up.”

  Luc frowned, “Party?”

  “Reception,” Feddi explained.

  “You didn’t think we’d let this go unnoticed,” smiled Ronnie. “Oh, and Luca,” she bit out his name again. He narrowed his eyes at her. “If you hurt her, I’ll kick her ass. And you know I can.”

  He made a face and gave a one shoulder shrug. “I don’t know that,” he leaned back in the seat, his arm going around me. “But you have my permission if I do.” She nodded and stared out the window as the car went down the strip.

  ◆◆◆

  The house was… wow. My father had a huge compound, but it was mostly built for security with some added things Elena had insisted on. This was built for pure luxury. We went through a private gate and drove up a winding drive until a modern three-story home of white stone came into view. “You bought this?” Luc was staring at Feddi, while Marc pinched his nose.