Chapter 5: The wedding

Lexi's POV.

I stood frozen on the spot as I stared blankly at the only man sitting in the room. But he wasn't the cause of my dazed expression. It was the name Leonardo just mentioned.

Morano.

It immediately pulled my mind back to a certain rich pervert. The same man who wanted to buy me into marrying him. Dad called him Mister Morano.

Are they…

A lump rolled down my throat, swallowing the thought with it. It couldn't be, I can't be that unlucky that I would end up getting married to the family of the same man I ran away from.

Leonardo turned to me with a glare. Apparently, I was not meant to say a word.

I gave an apologetic face and stood upright. Although on the inside, I was praying this all go well.

I would have to somehow ask Leonardo if he was related to Luca. Somehow.

The man turned around on his chair. A sharp gasp escaped my lips as a shiver ran down my body.

A long scar ran down from the man’s left eyebrow to his cheek, just above his lip. A true menacing sight for a man who looked to be in his late fifties.

What sort of dangerous underworld business do these kinds of people really get into?

“And who is that classless scum behind you?” the man asked with a grimace.

My heart palpitated with both fear and anger. Scum? He was not even looking at me. He was pretending as though I was not here while insulting me!

I saw Leonardo lowering his head.

“Forgive her manners, Don. She is quite new to the system.” He murmured- a tone that contradicted his usual bold one.

The man before was obviously to be feared.

“Perhaps you should have taught her some before bringing her into my territory!” The man scolded, still maintaining his hard frown.

“Apologies.” Leonardo muttered.

I decided to follow his lead and lowered my head. But that didn't stop me from peeking at the old man.

He glanced at me with a softened gaze, although it still held his anger.

“Where have you been?” He asked, now facing Leonardo.

“Clearing things up.” Leonardo answered, now with a more confident tone.

“What things?”

Leonardo stood fully upright. “Our new supplies needed more security. I personally guarded the shipments to ensure safe delivery.” He answered. The man sat back in his chair.

“And,” Leonardo spread his hand in my direction. “I brought my fiance.” He said and my heart skipped.

The man glanced at me, quite unimpressed.

“Her name is Lexi Gabe…”

“Gabe? What territory does her family dominate? Here in this city?” The man asked.

“She's not one of ‘the life’ Don.” Leonardo said, returning to his meek tone again.

The silence that followed hinted that that might be a problem. I gulped.

The old man faced me with curious eyes. He sighed and sat up, resting his elbows on his desk.

“Give me one reason why I should allow a square into our family?” He asked.

Leonardo's answer did not come immediately. I thought he was not going to until he said.

“I love her.”

I could not help but face him, my eyebrows raised and my lips slightly parted.

Then I realised the game and quickly adjusted my expression.

The old man sighed, lowered his gaze and glanced at me again. He rested his back and drummed his fingers on his desk.

“Very well son, when do you want the wedding?” He asked.

“Right now.” Leonardo declared and the old man's eyes were thrown wider.

“What the fuck do you mean, son?” He thundered, making me flinch.

“Forgive me, Don. But I want to get married to her as soon as possible…”

“Absolutely not! You know I detest being informed about things at the last minute. Schedule another day!” the old man bellowed, swinging his arm violently.

“Father please,” I cut in abruptly and stepped forward.

Leonardo stared at me and so did the old man.

“I know it is inappropriate to announce a wedding with such short notice. But you have to understand that if we had a choice we would have scheduled another day. Leo mentions your great deeds all the time. Please do this for your son, Father, please.” I pleaded with a lowered head.

I fiddled with my fingernails as I spoke, my heart drumming against my ribcage. I hope he doesn't snap at me.

Tension hung in the air like a water balloon, ready to burst.

The old man hummed. “He is my nephew.” He said and I fisted my hands. Shit.

“But he is like a son to me.” That twist made my nerves relax a little.

“She has wits, son. I’ll let you get married to her.” He said and relief washed over me.

“Thank you, Don.” Leonardo said. He turned to me and although his face was devoid of expressions, I knew he was pleased with what I did.

An hour later, I was in the massive compound of the mansion, walking down the aisle created for the wedding with a veil on my head. I could feel the eyes of many I did not know on me. Eyes of the family I was marrying into, all unknown to me.

My father, who I had asked Leonardo to fetch for me, was standing next to me, his arm interlocked with mine as he walked me down the aisle.

Even though I could not see his face, I knew he was displeased. But I did not care. As long as I was not going to be getting married to that pervert of a man, I did not care what anyone else thought.

We arrived at the altar where Leonardo was standing in his neat black tuxedo.

As I stood before him, I could feel the power oozing from him. He removed my veil and I could see his face clearly.

Nonchalant as he might seem, he still looked breathtaking. He was a living definition of dark allure.

My gaze was on him all through the wedding processions. His sharp jawline, straight nose, arched brows and his impeccable ocean blue eyes. All these details plastered to my brain.

The priest finally said the words that sealed the deal. “You may now kiss the bride.”

My heart instantly began to race. My palms became clampy with nervousness.

But as Leonardo leaned in and brought his face to mine, I somehow felt relaxed. During that moment, I felt comfortable with him.

And when our lips met, I moaned and shut my eyes. I relished the feeling of his lips on mine and his hands on my neck. Goosebumps rose all over my body.

“How dare you!” Just there, a voice disrupted the cheerfulness.

Leonardo and I parted and followed the voice that continued to yell.

“This wedding is a scam!”

Then I saw him. My face grew pale as my eyes landed on Luca.