Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 110103 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 551(@200wpm)___ 440(@250wpm)___ 367(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110103 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 551(@200wpm)___ 440(@250wpm)___ 367(@300wpm)
“This is a mistake. I can feel it.”
Dante raised one eyebrow. “Val, you suggested a bond with the Clarks, and I think it’s a good move.”
I nodded slowly, because back then I’d been convinced of it, and I still considered a connection to the political elite of Chicago an advantageous move, but I couldn’t see Anna in a bond with Clifford.
“Did Anna say anything? Doesn’t she want to go through with the bond?”
“No, no, she didn’t say anything.”
I wished she had. We wouldn’t have forced her if she’d ever opposed the marriage.
Dante took my hand. “You should return to your seat, Val.”
He probably thought I was being emotional because today marked the day I’d really have to let Anna go, accept that she was grown up and no longer our little girl, but it wasn’t that, at least not only that.
“Do you want me to accompany you back to your seat?”
I huffed. “I’m fine. I’m not sick, only worried and emotional.”
Dante kissed my lips, something he would have never done if we were in public. We protected something that was too precious to share it with people, who in great parts, weren’t friends. “Go ahead.”
I headed back toward the church where I sank down beside Bea and Leonas. The latter raised his eyebrows in silent question. He reminded me more of Dante every day, even if their personalities were different, albeit not as different as Leonas liked to pretend. Soon after, the music began playing.
Clifford waited at the front, a pleasant expression on his face. He, like men in our world, had been raised to keep a mask in public, albeit for different reasons, and his was less hostile. As a politician, he wanted to appear approachable, not foreboding like Made Man, but despite this, I could sense the high barriers he’d built around himself. Anna had mentioned it once, that she feared he’d never lower them for her either because in his family nobody did. We considered our family our safe place, but Clifford didn’t.
When Anna walked down the aisle toward Clifford with the public smile I detested my worry only increased. Clifford and Anna’s eyes briefly met when Dante handed her over to him. The public smiles never wavered.
I rubbed my wedding ring as I listened to the priest, feeling more and more uneasy. Anna’s face didn’t give anything away. She looked stunning and her smile was what everyone expected from a bride on her wedding day, but I knew her too well. True happiness didn’t reflect in her eyes.
I tried to catch Anna’s eyes, to once again let her know with my expression that I was fine with whatever she decided. But she didn’t look my way, maybe because she knew what she’d see and didn’t want to be weakened in her resolve.
Clifford didn’t hesitate when the priest asked him. His yes carried conviction. I didn’t know him well enough to gauge the truth behind his demeanor. When it was Anna’s turn to pick up Clifford’s ring, I wanted to speak up, to stop this bond, but this was Anna’s decision, and I’d support her no matter what.
When Mom and Dad left, I took a moment to gather myself. Mom’s words circled in my brain. She wanted me to be happy. I’d never doubted it, even when Mom and Dad had decided to promise me to Clifford many years ago.
Would I be happy with Clifford?
Maybe.
Maybe I could have been happy with him if I hadn’t been stupid enough to think I could keep emotions out of the mix when I slept with Santino.
Forgetting Santino? Right this second, I couldn’t see that ever happening. Maybe the memories would eventually fade. Or they’d be magnified by the frustrations of my daily life with Clifford.
“Get a grip,” I growled.
This was for the Outfit and my family.
Canceling the wedding now? A scandal of ridiculous proportions would ensue. And how could I possibly explain that I’d waited this long to change my mind. There was no going back now.
I took a deep breath and forced myself to leave the room. Dad was waiting for me at the end of the narrow hallway. He smiled when I walked toward him. I could see pride in his expression, something I’d always aspired for no matter my age.
I arrived by his side and smiled in turn. He bent down to kiss my temple. “You are very gorgeous. You know I’m always only a call away if you need help.”
I chuckled. “I don’t think you’ll have to worry about Clifford being the abusive type. He and I will figure out a mutual understanding to live in peace.”
Dad’s brows drew together. “Your mother would say that’s something I could have said before I married her.”
“And it still worked out.”
“It did,” Dad agreed quietly. His eyes searched mine before he asked. “Ready?”