Twisted Pride (The Camorra Chronicles 3)

Remo’s eyes flashed with fierce affection.

Nino did the ceremony since we didn’t want any outsiders around for our special day. He’d gotten the license to do so only recently, which didn’t pose a big problem in Las Vegas.

We kept the ceremony short, foregoing a long-winded traditional speech before we spoke our vows. We each had chosen rings for the other that we hadn’t seen yet.

I took Remo’s hand and slipped the ring on. It was a black tungsten carbide ring with an ebony wood inlay. Remo raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Carbide is twice as strong as steel,” I whispered. “Because you are the strongest man I know.” I smiled at the flicker of adoration in his eyes. “And ebony because wood is enduring and because you gave not only me roots but also our children and your brothers.”

The look on Remo’s face made it clear that I had made the right choice and relief filled me. He took my hand and slipped on a ring in the shape of two entwining wings, one dotted with white diamonds, the other with black gemstones.

“The white wing represents you,” Remo said in a low voice, leaning closer so only I could hear him. “Because you are pure perfection, my angel. And the black wing with the black sapphires represents me, my darkness, that you manage to accept.”

Remo kissed me, his fingers touching the tattoo on my neck.

“You set me free,” I said, my voice thick with emotion.

He shook his head and our lips brushed, his eyes dark and intent. “I was the one who needed to be freed.”

I kissed him fiercely. Free of the shackles of his past. When we pulled away, I realized everyone had taken a few steps back to give us privacy. My eyes were drawn to Samuel whose expression was like stone.

I needed to talk to him, to embrace him. Remo squeezed my hand to show me it was okay.

I headed for Samuel and Remo released my hand, but my fingers clung to him, pulling him along.

“Angel, you had one ruined wedding. Do you want to add a bloody one to your list?”

I glanced at him. “You won’t attack my brother.”

His eyes went past me. “I won’t.”

“And Samuel won’t attack you either,” I said firmly.

Samuel stood tall, expression harsh as it settled on Remo. I finally let go of Remo’s hand, and he stayed a few steps back as I bridged the remaining distance between Sam and me. I stopped right in front of my twin. I peered up at Samuel, and he lowered his gaze to mine, and despite everything I had done, everything he knew, his expression softened with love and tenderness.

I started crying because I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed him, how much I longed for his forgiveness. “You came.”

I wrapped my arms around his middle, and he hugged me back. “I’d do anything for you Fina, even stare into the eyes of the man I want to kill more than anything in this world.” We stayed in each other’s embrace for a few moments, trying to make every second last a lifetime because we knew there would be few chances like this in the future.

I pulled back, searching his blue eyes. “They don’t know you’re here.”

“Nobody knows. If they did … it would be considered betrayal. We’re at war.”

“You’re risking too much for me,” I whispered.

“I didn’t risk enough. That’s why we’re standing here today.” He sighed. “I got all of your messages. I read them and I considered replying so often, but I was an idiot. I was angry and hurt.”

I touched his cheek. “Forgive me.”

“Fina, I’d forgive you of anything. But him…” Samuel indicated Remo “…him I won’t ever forgive for taking you from us, from me. Not in one million years.”

I swallowed. “I love him. He’s the father of my children.”

Samuel kissed my forehead. “That’s why I won’t put a bullet in his head today, even if I considered doing it on the way here.”

Samuel’s love for me stopped him from killing Remo, and Remo’s love for me stopped him from killing my twin. I wished their love could also make them see past the feud, past the old hatred. “Will you be safe?”

“Don’t worry about me, Fina.” He raised his gaze to the man behind me. “I don’t have to ask if you’ll be safe because his eyes tell me all I need to know. He’s a fucking murderous bastard, but a bastard who will kill anyone daring to look at you the wrong way.”

I glanced over my shoulder at Remo, who was regarding us with intent. He looked relaxed to someone who didn’t know him very well, but I caught the subtle tension in his muscles, the vigilance in his eyes. He didn’t trust Samuel. Further down beside the arc, Nino kept throwing evaluating looks our way as well. “Remo will go through fire for me and our children,” I whispered.