Chapter 4

      “Damien is…” Mum began to speak, her long, manicured fingers patting a bonquet of flowers.

“Damien is dangerous. That’s it.” Dad cut into the sentence with a grim look on his face. He was cleaning his gun and shoving it in their respectful spots on his body.

“He’s more than dangerous.” Mum paused for a moment. “He’s ruthless, lethal and really, really powerful. When he came into the hideout where the kidnappers had taken Ethan and I to, they had instantly dropped to their knees, that’s how much he’s feared by people.”

My skin crawled as I listened to my parents talk about how dangerous the person I was going married off to was, as the hair stylist did my hair up in my bedroom.

I was already dressed up in my wedding dress, and my makeup had already been done to perfection by professionals. 

“He’s the most powerful mafia Don ever to walk the earth. Every other mafia here in Italy knows he has the final say.” Dad continued and I felt fear clog my throat once again.

“And you’re getting me married off to someone this… vile and dangerous? You both hate me that much?” I questioned in a raw voice as I felt my eyes start to sting.

“Now, don’t be stupid, child. Damien wouldn’t hurt you.” Mum spoke up this time just as dad cut her off.

“If you do not get on his bad side. If you remain a dutiful and obedient wife, then I’m very sure he won’t have a reason to hurt you.” Dad paused and waved his hand in my face.

“Meanwhile, if you mouth off to him recklessly or go against his rule, that means you want him to show you how dangerous he actually is.” 

I wrinkled my mouth, feeling more scared for my life.

A quick glance in the mirror showed the the stylists working on my hair didn’t look comfortable, but we’re still going about with their duties.

“Don’t look so horrified, Catherine. It’s also an honor for our family that you’re marrying into his family, never forget that.” Dad continued.

“Yes, it really is. A few of my friends vocally expressed their wishes to be in my shoes to me yesterday while I was shopping, because now that Catherine is marrying into the Mafia Don’s family, that would automatically make us into a family.

“Exactly. And, it’s going to fetch me more respect from now on.” Dad added almost immediately.

I grinded my teeth angrily and blinked multiple times to stop myself from bursting into tears in that moment.

My parents never cared about it and it was very obvious. They only care about themselves and no one else.

I really am an unlucky child. Through and through.

~~~~

     Walking down the aisle with my gloved fingers lightly gripping dad’s biceps, while feeling thousands of eyes on me, was overwhelming and horrifying at the same time.

Being this close to Dad didn’t bring me as much anxiety as being this close to my husband to be, I could already tell before dad offered me to him like a wrapped present.

His long fingers closed over mine and I bit my mouth to stop myself from crying out in panic as we both turned towards the priest.

As the priest talked and talked, I was finding it harder to breath and concentrate on the wedding.

Frightened shudders kept sliding down my spine the more the realization that I was getting married to the mafia don kept sinking deeply into me.

When we faced each other and had to exchange rings, my hands were shaking so much and I mistakenly dropped the ring twice.

The ring bearer who was a little girl dressed in pink only smiled as she picked it up the third time and handed it to me. I carefully breathed through my nose as I slid the ring over his long and tattooed fingers.

I was beyond mortified to have embarrassed myself this way before a large crowd, and a part of me was unbelievably scared that he was going to hit me or shoot me for being this clumsy.

He easily slid the ring on my trembling finger, moments later.

When we were pronounced man and wife, a little crack echoed in my chest and two drops of tears roll down my cheeks.

I blindly noticed him lifting up my veil and my heart flew into my throat. I blinked a couple of times to clear my blurry eyes, not wanting him to notice the tears, to avoid settling him off or giving him more reasons to be angry at me.

Long fingers grazed and tipped my chin upwards, and that was when my eyes cleared up a little, leaving me to stare into the most intense eyes I’ve ever seen.

I gulped just as he leaned down and brushed his lips over mine. My heart was thumping hard and I was sure he could hear it. I was trembling hard and a scream almost tore out of my throat when I felt his fingers graze my waist.

The kiss was thankfully over before I could begin to panic, and I was able to breath properly once again.

I turned towards the crowd as loud cheers filled the entire place, feeling like I was about to puke. 

Not only did I just have my first kiss right now, it was more like I just got married to the most dangerous man in Italy.

Yeah, my life is officially doomed.

~~~~~~

    The reception passed by in a blur, and I was nauseous most of the time.

My first dance with my new husband was the most scariest thing I’ve ever participated in, and when he had ordered me to look up at him because I had been staring pointedly at his shirt throughout the dance, I had almost fainted from fear at that moment.

I moved along to the song, counting slowly in my head, as I danced with my elder brother, Ethan. His hold on my waist was tight and he had us glued to each other, but I was sure no one was going to bat an eye since we were blood siblings.

Meanwhile, I was on the verge of getting a panic attack.

“I’m going to miss you, little sister.” He murmured with a smile that made my blood run dry with terror.

I remained silent, willing the song to be over already.

“I’m sure your new husband would take good care of you and… your body the way I had I had managed to do. I’m sure he’d do a greater job that I did.” He continued, and I instantly felt my eyes sting.

“Now now, don’t put up a fight, like I thought you to. It’s easier for you that way. Always keep that in mind.” He continued, and I felt a wayward tear slid down my cheek.

The song chose that moment to come to an end, and I hastily walked off the dance floor with my head downcasted.

Once I stood beside my new husband once again, I felt his eyes on me, and that made me feel more like a prey before a predator.

When we finally left for his house, late into the night, I’ve never hated life like I did in that moment.