Chapter 34 - Angela

I was sitting in the high-backed chair next to Marco, right in the center of the large wedding table, tracing my finger along the line of the small cut. They hadn't told me about that ritual during the ceremony; I was completely caught off guard.

"Does it hurt?" Marco's voice brought me back from my thoughts.

"No, I just wasn't expecting something like that. People in the Cosa Nostra don't do this."

"You're not in the Cosa Nostra anymore, love. You're one of us now—you're the boss of this family," he took my hand and kissed the mark. "We'll rule together."

I still couldn't believe how that could work, but Marco liked to remind me whenever he could. At every opportunity, he repeated how it would be the two of us controlling everything from now on.

I smiled back at him and leaned in, kissing the top of his hand. But our bubble was burst by cheers of celebration.

"Viva gli sposi!" Viva the newlyweds—they shouted, raising their glasses and cups of drink. My cheeks burned with embarrassment, but Marco was quicker than me and raised his glass in response before turning it toward me, making me drink from his.

A drop trickled down my chin, making the man in front of me lean in and lick my skin, following it up to my lips and claiming my mouth in a long, lingering kiss.

"We're being watched," I murmured when I finally pulled away for air.

"We'll always be watched, but that doesn't stop us from doing exactly what we want," he placed his hand on my thigh under the table, surprising me. "No one can stop us from anything, my little she-devil."

That new nickname felt strange. Though it suited his reputation better, I feared I was losing my essence and molding myself to him. And in parts, I liked when Marco called me his angel. I'd hated it at first, but I'd gotten used to it. Now, I could only wait to see if I'd get used to the new one.

"I have to find a nickname for you now too," I slid my fingers through his hair, and he squeezed my thigh, making me let out a soft sigh.

"I'll give you some ideas later, but I'll make sure to save 'she-devil' just for our hottest moments..."

"Mr. Falcone." One of his capos approached with his wife, who had a wide smile and carried a box in her hands. "Mrs. Falcone, congratulations on the wedding."

I smiled and nodded, still dazed by the new surname. It would take a long time to get used to that one too.

Marco stood, hugging and kissing the man on both cheeks, while his wife approached and handed me the box.

"Welcome to the family, Mrs. Falcone! May your marriage be long and bring prosperity to the Famiglia," she exclaimed loudly, and as soon as I took the box from her hands, she kissed my cheeks on both sides too.

"Thank you very much," I murmured, still surprised by the whole reception. I hadn't expected this during our wedding.

"Open the box and show everyone, Angel," Marco said beside me, confusing me with the nickname change.

But I did exactly as he said, opening the box to reveal white lingerie and a jar of honey. That made my cheeks burn, but I turned the box toward the people there, who applauded and cheered excitedly.

"I thought the gifts had been sent days ago," I whispered to Marco as he planted a quick kiss on my lips.

"These are different gifts, like offerings of happiness and prosperity for our marriage," he said, holding my hand and pointing to the people moving in front of us. "And get ready because everyone will give one, or it would be seen as an affront to the Don's wedding."

I was definitely going to kill Melissa that night. An endless stream of couples came up to us—the men greeted and congratulated us, kissing Marco's cheeks, and the women handed me the gift, which I had to show to everyone.

Most of them were lingerie, honey, some plants promising joy and prosperity, or virility. I wanted to bury myself in the ground every time I saw one, but everyone seemed to just be having fun.

"Congratulations to the couple. May you be prosperous and bring many children to the Famiglia!" It was Giulia who spoke, handing me the box.

There was no resentment in her eyes, even after the day I called her a traitor. I smiled at her, feeling my heart ache with everything I knew had happened to her, and even more so knowing I'd chosen the same path as her—the path to happiness away from the family we were born into.

I passed the box to Marco's hands and extended my arms over the table, hugging her tightly. It took a moment for her to return it, squeezing me back and letting out a low sob.

That left me awkward; I hadn't expected her to start crying and breaking down right there in front of everyone—people who probably knew her hard journey up close. But she pulled away quickly, smiling and wiping her tears, before being hugged by her husband.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes, I just... I've become a mess of hormones."

"She's pregnant!" her husband exclaimed, placing his hand on her belly and surprising everyone. "Four months—we found out last week."

"Congratulations!" I extended my hands, squeezing hers. "May this child bring even more happiness to you both."

Marco shook his soldier's shoulder and then opened the box, showing everyone the tiny knitted bootie and baby outfit. We sat down, and I couldn't resist picking up the bootie, running my fingers over the delicate, soft knit, smiling as I imagined a little boy with Marco's face wearing one of those.

"Are you anxious to be a mother?" His voice made me lift my eyes to his face, which remained serious.

We hadn't talked about that—about children and a family future. Everything we'd always discussed was about ruling and uniting the Cosa Nostra and Camorra to end the war.

But I'd always dreamed of having a family, of becoming a mother and watching my children grow up in peace, even in the mafia. I just didn't know if that was Marco's thinking.

"I think we can have some time before that happens," I murmured, seeing his wicked gaze roam over my body.

Marco slid his fingers to the nape of my neck, provocatively brushing the tips over my ear.

"How about we leave everyone here and I teach you how babies are made?" I swallowed hard, feeling a heat spread through my body and pool between my legs. "I've been craving that for days!"

"And the guests?" I questioned, looking around, but they no longer seemed focused on us.

"They'll be completely drunk in ten minutes and won't even remember us," his devious smile widened even more, and I swallowed hard. "I want to be able to rip one of those lingeries off your body."

I bit my lower lip, holding back the smile and desire, and leaned against him, letting my mouth hover near his ear.

"But I'm already wearing one I bought especially for you," I whispered so only he could hear, watching his Adam's apple bob as he swallowed hard.

Marco grabbed my wrist and stood, pulling me with him and nearly toppling our chairs. He seemed like a desperate man on a mission, stopping only to grab one of the honey jars before scooping me up in his arms and running away from all our guests.