Chapter 4

ALESSIA

My mask was off, now the world could see through me. They’d know I was not as strong as I claimed to be.

The guests all seated, waiting patiently for our union. This wedding would benefit each and every single person present here, everyone but me.

I’d give anything to get away from this. Anything at all.

The officiant had said a lot in the last four minutes, but not a single word did I hear. Just when I was starting to get bored, he asked very loudly if I was willing to take Salvatore as my lawfully wedded husband.

My parents watched anxiously from their seats. So did everyone present. Everyone who knew what this union would result to.

“No. I do not accept Salvatore as my husband.”

The crowd gasped in disbelief. Who would have thought I’d say such a thing? My father’s jaw was this close to hitting the floor.

I just blew their peace treaty. Shattered it in fact.

For someone who just got rejected publicly before hundreds of people, he seemed very cool and unshaken. Maybe because he knew he would get me with or without my consent.

“ I take Alessia as my lawfully wedded wife. Whatever she says doesn’t matter to me? Can you wrap this up, I have somewhere to be urgently.”

What an arrogant bastard.

Whatever this man offered or has over my parents, it better be worth it. They can’t put me through this for a minor promise or threat.

“ Can we just exchange the rings, skip the vows or are we past that? Skip the kissing also and just call it a day? I need to get some rest.”

If father was offended by my words, he didn’t show it. After all, I was doing him a very big favour agreeing to do something like this. It’s not like I have a choice though.

“ You heard the lady, be quick with it. Don’t say her name, I already know it. Where’s the rings?”

Someone scurried forward with our wedding rings. In no time, we had exchanged rings. The wedding band he had chosen was beyond beautiful. It was the type I’d gush over if it came from the right person. Coming from Salvatore, it could only signify one thing; Slavery. Or bondage perhaps?

“ Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Mr. and Mrs Berlusconi.”

The crowd cheered. My father was indeed pleased, but I could not say the same for mother who stood abruptly, her tiny frame disappearing into the frantic crowd. If they so wanted peace, why couldn’t they offer their daughters to Salvatore instead? Yet here they are excited about the slavery I had just been forced into.

I left Salvatore after we stood together for a couple of ‘happy’ pictures. I forced my smile so hard my cheeks ached.

“ A glass of Whiskey or whatever strong drink you have. Anything at all. I just need to quench this thirst.”

After downing three glasses of whatever it was this waiter gave me, I still was not satisfied. I needed something else. Freedom perhaps. A nice stroll in the streets of some country faraway from my Father and supposed husband.

“ Can I have some..”

Two loud gunshots disrupted my speech. More gunshots followed and a state of panic erupted. Tables were turned upside down, glasses shattered and people made for every available exit. In all of this chaos, Salvatore sat near the mini bar stand taking everything in and nursing his glass of alcohol.

The guts of this man.

He wasn’t even troubled.

I caught sight of mother rushing to safety. Father was shaken but stood tall, with his guns in both hands.

The people who dared do this were no other than the Giuseppe’s. Matteo’s father was not involved but I caught a glimpse of the man I had been betrothed to. He was the one leading his dogs, they turned the once clean and well arranged venue to a pile of shattered glasses and wasted food.

“ Matteo.”

My husband called out, still seated. He signaled to the shaky figure attending to him to refill his glass. Somewhere in between this small war, I see Cesare. Daggers drawn and pistol well loaded with a look to kill. He looked even more furious than the groom whose wedding was tore down.

“ Let me handle this, Brother. Why not ask my good sire to get you more drinks while I take our friends on a quick ride to meet the devil.”

Before the words barely left his mouth, he gunned down two of Matteo’s men. The men who had tagged along with Salvatore to the wedding all looked as cool as my husband. They found some chairs and made their selves comfortable.

It was 10 against 1. And yet none of them offered to help Cesare. That must mean one thing. This nice brother-in-law of mine might just be more dangerous than my husband.

“ Hold on little brother. We don’t treat our friends like enemies. Why not offer Matteo a seat and a glass of wine?” Turning in Matteo’s direction, he raised a glass. “ One hell of a performance you put out there. A dramatic entrance. I like it.”

The ‘friendly’ looks this two exchanged made my heart race faster. They were not planning to draw blood on my wedding day, were they?

“ Zakai, help my bride to a chair. She looks like she’s about to pass out. I can’t have her dying on me when we haven’t even made love yet. Back to you, Giuseppe. What made you decide to carry out this foolish stunt of yours?”

His tone got even more.. icy.

He was loosing his cool despite how calm he looks.

Now where was father when you needed him? Ran off like a coward after putting us in this situation. Promising your daughter to another, marrying her off to someone else.

“ You’ve got something that belongs to me, Salvatore. I’m here to take it back.”

I’m sorry did he just refer to me as ‘it’?

Me?

“ I have nothing of yours, little boy. Maybe I should kill you right now for claiming what belongs to me.”

Dear God, please not today. Not today.

“ Only a coward steals a man’s wife and then denies it. Are you a coward, Salvatore?”

Trying to enrage a raging bull isn’t going to help matters.

“ Cesare, I’d like his tongue. Or maybe his head. Whichever you’d like to serve to the dogs tonight.”

Oh no.

His men surrounded Cesare. Zakai sat beside me eager for this quick round of entertainment.

“ What would you like to drink, luv?”

Seriously? Right now?

He winked mischievously and offered me his glass.

I was in for it.