1. You're My Wife Aren't You?

DAPHNE

♡

THE WEDDING MARCH PLAYED, and my uncle turned to me, his usual reassuring smile playing on his lips.

“ Are sure you're ready princess?” He asked, pressing my palm gently, I gave him a subtle nod.

I wasn't scared, I was just nervous. Okay, maybe I was a tad bit scared. It's not like Rico doesn't love me. He does but I just have a feeling in my gut that something is going to go wrong today.

As though sensing my displeasure, my uncle spoke again. “ Are you sure you want to go through with this? We can call off the wedding if you want to…” My face softened at his words but I wasn't going to let him postpone a wedding he worked so hard to plan.

I squeezed his hands tightly, giving him my own reassuring smile. “ It's okay uncle, I'm just a bit nervous.”

He pulled me close and kissed my forehead. “ I'll always be here Princess and you're doing great, your parents would be so proud of you.”

Sadness flickered in his eyes at the mention of my parents. He'd always hated talking about their death but I guess there's always a first time for everything.

“ Just go there and shine like the princess you are.” He added and I nodded once more, my lips heavy with emotion to muster words.

He pushed the door open and when the hall came to the view, I almost gasped. Pews littered left and right, guests filled the said pews, looking at me with bright smiles on their faces. Some were Uncle's business partners while others were Dad's employees.

But my eyes weren't on them. It was on the man who stood at the altar with the brightest smile on his face. His thick brown hair slicked back, his eyes glowing with excitement and happiness, his tux clinging to his skin making him look irresistibly charming. Rico. My husband, my love, my everything.

All the nervousness I'd felt washed away and replaced with this mushy feeling in my chest. After so long, Rico was finally going to mine.

I still remembered the day we met, when my car broke down at Park Avenue. It was a cold night and I wasn't able to reach my mechanic. When I saw him, I thought he was some crook or criminal but he wasn’t. He helped me fix my car and disappeared and now, I was on my way to the altar to not just meet him but to marry him.

Gosh.

I could feel the heat spreading on my cheeks.

My uncle nudged me slightly, breaking me from my trance. His happiness, evident. “ Look at you, already blushing just by looking at him.” He teased and I chuckled at his words.

We reached the altar and Rico stretched his hand. Uncle released me from his hold and ever so slowly, I placed my hand in his, earning a small peck at the back of my hand. I blushed even harder and I didn't even think that was possible.

He helped me up the steps and the priest began. I could barely register the priest's next words because my eyes were on Rico.

“ You look so beautiful.” He mouthed, butterflies swarming in my stomach.

“ Thank you.” I replied and he chuckled, his eyes roaming round my body, drinking me in with a subtle lick to his lower lip and all the butterflies vanished replaced with the heat which scorched my thighs.

“ I can't wait for tonight.” He mouthed again, after devouring me with his eyes.

Were there fans here?

Why did it suddenly become hotter?

Very obscene images scratched the back of my mind but I shut them out immediately but I knew, just from the smirk on his lips, that he was thinking the same thing, or probably something much more darker.

“ Do you Richardo Volkov take Daphne Romano to be your wife, in sickness and in health, in riches and poverty, till death do you part?” The priest's voice came and Rico looked at him then back at me, barely containing a smile. “ I do.” His voice came, for the first time, all morning and I didn't realize how much I missed his voice.

“ Do you Daphne Romano take Richardo Volkov to be your husband in sickness and in health, in riches and in poverty, till death do you part?” He asked me and I nodded slowly, words sliding through my lips.

“ Yes. Yes I do.”

As I said those three words, the air shifted and cold air swept through the hall. Footsteps followed, echoing in the silence.

The strong scent of Tom Ford burned in the air, stealing my breath as the footsteps got louder and louder. Slowly, I turned and there he was, ALEXANDER GAMBINO. In all glory.

“ No she does not.” He stated plainly after he'd successfully reached me. He took my hand and kissed it softly, his eyes washing over me like a lion did its prey. I instantly snatched my hands from him, not letting his warmth linger any longer than it already had.

He faced the priest and Rico. “ She does not accept to be his wife.” He repeated his words with the same confidence as he did before and it made my skin prick with anger.

“ You have no right to speak for me!” I snapped and he faced me, a smirk playing on his face.

“ Believe me Cara Mio, I have every right to speak for you.” He inched closer, his intoxicating scent burning through my nostrils. “ You're my wife aren't you?”

The question lingered and more gasps filtered from the crowd, mumblings filled the air as suspicious and disgusting eyes burned through my skin. “ What do you mean your wife? I will never be your wife!”

“ Don't say things you don't mean.” His voice rose slightly, I flinched and he calmed, loving the control he seemed to have over me. “ Now, come with me, let me take you home.”

Rico smacked his hand away and hid me behind him. “ Don't you dare touch her, she said she isn't your wife so get the fuck out of here!” He snapped, his eyes red with unfiltered rage.

“ Get away from my wife if you don't want your head served to your family on a platter.” He graveled, his jaw tightening.

My uncle jumped from his seat, sensing the intensity of the matter. He rushed to Alexander and tapped him gently. “ I believe there has been a misunderstanding, my niece isn't your wife, my son, maybe it's someone else.” He reasoned and I prayed that Alex would listen to him but he smiled.

“ Uncle!” He chimed, his voice like a son who saw his father after a long time. “ There has not been any misunderstanding, she is my wife and I'm here to take her.”

“ I am not your wife!” I yelled from behind Rico, who was visibly fuming.

It was understandable since he'd been waiting for his day for a very long time. “ Like I said before Cara Mio. Don't say things that you don't mean.”

Rico stepped forward and threw a punch at Alex's face. His hair flew to the side, spit spilling from his lips.

I should be happy that Rico did that but I wasn't because I knew who Alexander was: the Pakhan of the Gambino Clan he dealt with murder, blood and brutality and I was sure he wasn't going to take things lightly on Rico.

At that moment men— his men— spilled through the opened doors, their fingers at the trigger as they all aimed for Rico’s head. Red beams of light scattered over his face.

No, I couldn't lose Rico.

I rushed to Alex and fell to the ground. “ Please tell your men to stop, don't kill Rico.”

He looked down at me, his eyes glimmering with something I couldn't decipher. Lust? Anger? Couldn't tell. “ Get up!” He ordered and I shook my head.

“ I won't get up if you don't call your men away.” I stood my ground, hoping he would at least listen to me.

“ If you don't get up, I'll make sure he gets shot and tortured while I make you watch.” He leaned down. “ Would you like that, Cara Mio? A perfect wedding gift.”

I picked myself from the ground, my legs shaking, fear coursing through my veins.

Rico charged at one of the men and snapped the gun out of his fingers, pointing it at Alex. “ Get away from her or I'll shoot!” He threatened but I guess threats didn't work on Alex.

“ Please gentlemen, let's calm down and resolve this.” My uncle coaxed but all I wanted was for him to get out of here before something bad happened.

Alex ignored Uncle and walked to Rico, the gun fixed right in his forehead. “ Go ahead Rico, shoot me.”

“ No no no no no no don't do Rico, I beg of you.” I cried. I didn't know what implications came from killing a mafia don but I knew they were dangerous and I was sure Rico would survive it. “ Rico please, let me go with him.”

Rico's eyes moved to me, tears damping his orbs. “ I can't lose you…” he whispered, his voice breaking.

“ I can't lose you either…” I took a small breath, calming the tears which threatened to roll down my cheeks. “ So please put the gun down.”

Slowly, he retracted, his hands falling to the ground. Alex sighed. “ I thought you had guts.” Then he turned and took my hand. “ Shall we?”

I nodded as I looked at him with all the hatred I could muster. I thought those rumors weren't true, but they were and this man was evil, a devil in human flesh.

He took my hand and slowly we walked out of the hall. The guests? Too stunned to react, my wedding day? Ruined but at least Rico was safe. I would find a way to escape and get to him.

*Bang*

A bullet pierced through Alex's arm making him pull away from me. It was then all hell broke loose. His men aimed their guns at Rico, shooting him and bullets… all nine of them hit him, knocking him to the ground.

His body crashed against the tile floor, in a loud thud.

“ RICO!!!!!!”