Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 93203 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 466(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93203 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 466(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
“You could not wait one night?” she asked.
I was honest. “No. I rest better beside her.”
She nodded. “I assumed that would happen.” She sat back. “She is good for you, Roman.”
“I am glad you approve, Nonna.”
“I think she will be the catalyst for change that is needed.” She took a sip of coffee. “If you allow that change.”
“Did Luca talk to you?”
She nodded. “I am thrilled about all his news.” She set down her cup. “Your mother hated what your father did, but she loved him. He was a good husband and father until she died. It was as if the goodness she brought out in him died with her. I hated how he treated you boys, as if you were things to mold and order around. How he pitted you against each other. Your mother had always hoped you would have different paths. Perhaps now, you can.” She drew in a deep breath. “I want you to live. To love. To have what your grandfather and I had.” She grasped my hand. “Open yourself up to Effie, Roman. Show her the man you are. Give her the life she deserves. The one you deserve. Whether you stay in this life or create another, put her first. Put yourself first.”
I met her eyes. She knew there was more to the story of Effie and me than I had told her. But she trusted me enough to stay quiet. To know I was doing what I had to do.
“I am thinking about it all, Nonna. And I put Effie and her safety first.”
She sat back. “That is good.”
I stood, bending to kiss her cheek. “I will see you later.”
I began to leave when she spoke again.
“Roman, piccolino,” she murmured.
I turned.
“Try to put your heart first. You will find great rewards when you do.”
I had no words to respond.
CHAPTER 23
ROMAN
Itugged on my sleeves, tense and agitated. My body was tight with nerves, and I told myself it was because of the faces in the room in front of me. Heads of families, business associates, legal and otherwise, important people in my world. Some more important than I was, others less. I reminded myself they were all here on my turf, but it didn’t quell the jackhammers in my stomach. I glanced around, keeping my expression aloof and stern, meeting the eyes of a few people and nodding. I offered a warmer expression to Effie’s few friends, who all looked a little out of their depth in the room, but I was glad she had some familiar faces in the small crowd.
Beside me, Aldo chuckled, pressing his hand on my shoulder. “You might want to smile. You’re getting married, not facing a firing squad.”
I inhaled, letting it out slowly, and I loosened my shoulders. I took in the room, the flowers and candles everywhere. The lovely tables spread out and the large dance floor for later. The sun was high in the sky, and by the time the ceremony and dinner were done, the room would be glowing with candlelight and music. Six o’clock had taken forever to come. It was as if there was nothing I could do to speed up time. The hotel and casino ran like clockwork today with no problems to distract me. The paperwork that seemed to be endless was caught up. I was ready to explode when Aldo arrived, and we headed to the gym to work off my excess energy. I couldn’t even sneak in a visit to Effie since she was in another suite getting ready, and Nonna had firmly denied me any more access.
I hoped Effie liked the room. I’d told Judith to give her anything she asked. I made all the arrangements I needed to and left the details to them. I didn’t care about the colors or the flowers as long as Effie was happy. It was the least I could do since I hadn’t really given her a choice about marrying me.
The music changed, and Luca appeared at the end of the aisle, Nonna on his arm. She wore a pale mint-colored dress, and she looked happy as he escorted her to her seat in the front row. She stopped before sitting down, and I went to her, kissing her cheeks. She cupped my face and smiled, whispering words of love to me. Once she was seated beside Justine, whom Luca had sat a few moments prior, he looked at me with a wide grin. “Wait until you see your bride,” he murmured.
A moment later, Vi walked down the aisle, self-assured and lovely. Her green dress hugged her curves, and she threw a saucy wink at Aldo as she went past. “Later, big boy,” she intoned, making him chuckle. She looked at me. “Brace yourself,” she warned, waggling her eyebrows.
I squared my shoulders, folding my hands in front of me and focusing my attention to the end of the aisle. Nothing prepared me for the vision of my bride.