Chapter 4

Early on the morning of the wedding, I strapped a pistol to my hip.

The bulletproof lining inside my dark red dress pressed against the old wound on my back, and every step pulled at it.

Downstairs, Matteo was going over the press list for Chloe's art show.

He bent and kissed my forehead. His lips were as soft and warm as ever.

"I'm taking Chloe to the gallery to set up. After the private dinner with the senator, I'll head straight to the ceremony."

My back gave a twinge, and my heart ached a little.

"My wound bled again last night."

Matteo stopped flipping through the list.

He looked up at me, then toward my back beneath the dress. His face hardened.

"Has a doctor looked at it?"

"Yes," I said. "It's nothing serious."

"Every time you say it's nothing, it's something."

He closed the list and turned to the guard behind him. "Get my doctor. I want her checked again before the wedding."

Then he turned back to me. "That's an order."

"What about the ceremony?" I asked. "Won't that hold things up?"

He was quiet for a moment. Then he reached out and pressed his hand gently against the back of my dress, right over my lower back.

"The ceremony can wait," he said, looking me in the eye, his words slow and deliberate. "But you're not toughing this one out."

His hand stayed there, careful and steady. I could feel its warmth through the fabric.

I looked into his eyes, and bitterness rose in me.

Once, that would have made my heart race.

I had just managed a smile when I heard quick, ragged breathing at the door.

"I know today is Celia's wedding," Chloe said, "but every time I think about everything I still have to set up for the show, I can't breathe.

"Matteo, can you come help me?"

Matteo checked his watch, then turned and pressed a backup gun into my palm.

"Keep this on you," he said, fastening the holster for me. "The bullets are custom-made. The safety's already set. If anything happens, protect yourself first. Don't wait for me."

I looked up at him. "And you?"

In the end, he let out a breath. "I'm sorry. I'll be back as soon as I can."

My fingers closed around the cold gun.

I just nodded calmly. "Okay."

So even his own orders meant nothing once Chloe needed him.

Fine. After tonight, I'd be gone from Sicily. I'd never have to wait for him to come back to me again.

In the dressing room, I put on my wedding gown alone, buckled on the holster, and swallowed two painkillers without water.

Nothing about the woman in the mirror said bride. She looked more like she was about to sit down with the Rossetti family.

I smoothed the ivory skirt and let out a long breath. I just had to get through the ceremony. Tonight, I'd finally leave.

By afternoon, the banquet hall was packed with family elders, lawmakers, businessmen, and representatives from various crews.

It was time for the ceremony, but the groom's place at the front was still empty.

Whispers rose from the back rows.

"The groom's still with Chloe?"

"Chloe was supposed to marry him. She said no, so they settled for this one."

"A stand-in is a stand-in."

One of my guys started over to shut them up, but I raised a hand and stopped him.

Then Matteo called.

I answered but said nothing.

"Celia." His voice was rougher than usual. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be late..."

"Don't explain," I cut in. "Just tell me when you'll be here."

He was quiet for a few seconds.

"Ten minutes."

I smiled bitterly. "That's what you said last time."

His breath caught, as if I'd hit a nerve.

"This time is different," he said quietly. "Celia, I promise. I'll be there in ten minutes. Just wait for me."

I thought of the countless times he'd told me to wait, and of that bullet at North Harbor. My chest ached.

Finally, I said what I'd been holding back for so long. "I've been waiting for you for 12 years. I don't want to wait anymore."

After I hung up, I felt lighter than I had in a long time.

I was leaving soon anyway. It didn't matter whether the wedding went ahead.

Michael leaned in. "Give it a little longer. The Don's definitely on his way."

I pulled off my veil and tossed it onto the head table.

"Call it off."

"Then I'll tell everyone it's postponed..."

"Not postponed. The wedding's off. I..."

Suddenly, the glass wall facing the water exploded, showering the hall with shards.

Bullets tore through the white floral arch. The crystal chandeliers rattled and swung. Guests screamed and shoved toward the exits.

"It's the Rossetti family!" someone yelled.

I stumbled, then raised the gun Matteo had given me and shot the gunman.

But a bullet caught me in the shoulder.

Michael tried to get to me, but there were too many bullets flying.

I dropped to one knee, pressing hard on the wound. My vision darkened at the edges.

Matteo isn't here. This is my chance to go!

I slumped against the hallway wall, tore strips from my wedding gown, and packed the wound before wrapping my shoulder. My fingers shook badly.

Once I'd bandaged it as best I could, I slipped out the back door and ran toward the cliffs.

My body felt like lead, but I pushed on until I saw a familiar figure.

When old Jack saw me covered in blood, he went pale. "You need a hospital."

I shook my head and gripped his arm hard.

"Get me on the boat. We'll deal with it once we're out of here."

Dusk deepened as the boat pulled farther from the reef inlet.

My breathing slowly steadied. I looked back at the white building on the shore and finally let myself relax.

Thank God. I'm out.