Twisted Hearts (The Camorra Chronicles 5)

We sank down on the sofa and she regarded me with a quiet scrutiny that made me nervous. “Are you still sure about marrying me in six weeks?”

I laughed. “Kiara’s already halfway done with the planning. She’d have my balls if I canceled the thing now.”

Gemma didn’t crack a smile. “I’m being serious.”

Sighing, I took her hand. “I’m sure about marrying you. I’ll probably be a lousy husband, but I’ll do my best.”

She swallowed. “I want you to be faithful to me. I want you to be only mine like I’m only yours.”

“I will be faithful.”

“You will be. So, until our wedding, you’re going to keep seeing other girls?”

I released a breath. “I haven’t been with another girl in two weeks.” Since I almost lost her and realized I couldn’t bear the thought.

“Congrats,” she said, her lips thinning.

“What do you want to hear, Gem? It’s the longest I’ve gone without sex since I lost my V-card at thirteen.”

“And the wait is going to be even longer, are you sure your bull can handle it?”

I hid a smile at her feistiness. I preferred it to her grief. “He’ll be fine. Six weeks will pass in no time.” It would be hard, of course, especially my poor dick. Just the thought of only having my hand for relief, nearly brought tears to my eyes.

“Six weeks?” Gemma echoed.

“Until our wedding, or did you reconsider the waiting until marriage thing?” I had to tease her, I couldn’t help it.

“Definitely not,” she said with a strange smile.

Our house had become horribly empty and quiet. I even missed Nonna’s disapproving cluck. I shoved the thought aside before grief could overwhelm me again. Four weeks had passed since their death, but sometimes it still felt like yesterday. Carlotta was still in the hospital after her surgery, but she was recovering quickly and would most likely be able to attend the wedding at the end of August.

It was still strange thinking that I’d really marry Savio in four weeks. For a while, I hadn’t been sure that would happen at all. Toni picked Mom and me up in her car because neither of us had a license. Now that Dad wasn’t there anymore, Mom had decided to learn how to drive, but so far, she’d been busy taking care of Carlotta. I, too, would start driving lessons after my wedding. There was still too much to do until then. Not to mention that I already had a license, thanks to my affiliation to a certain Falcone clan. No police officer in their right mind would give me a ticket once my last name was Falcone, but I still wanted to actually learn how to steer a car.

When Toni, Mom, and I stepped into the most expensive bridal store of Las Vegas, my heart seemed to be torn in two. On the one hand, I was excited to choose my wedding dress, something I’d dreamed of since I was a little girl, on the other hand, I felt horrible every time I saw Mom’s heartbroken expression. She tried to hide it but occasionally it broke through.

I chose a few dresses to put on and walked into the changing room. Mom came inside with me. She touched my arm. “Gemma, I want you to be happy. I want you to enjoy this day. It’s a special day, and I’m so happy for you. Dad and Nonna would have wanted you to enjoy it, so we will, do you hear me?”

I swallowed and nodded. The first two dresses I tried on were beautiful and I felt like a princess in them, but it was the third dress that completely stole my breath. When I stepped out of the dressing room, I could see on Mom’s and Toni’s face that they felt the same way.

“That’s you,” Toni whispered.

Mom nodded, blowing her nose with a teary smile.

It was me, and it was the dress I’d marry Savio Falcone in.

I’d gotten ready for the wedding in our house. It still felt surreal that I’d spent my last night there. Tonight, I’d move into the Falcone mansion—share a wing and bed with Savio.

A car with a driver picked Toni and me up, and drove us to church. We entered through a back entrance and hid in one of the back rooms until it was time. A couple minutes later, Mom stepped in. She’d helped Kiara arrange the flowers in church.

“I’ll see if I can help with preparations,” Toni said, kissing my cheek before she dashed off.

Mom closed the door and took me in. “You’re so very beautiful, Gemma. Savio won’t know what hit him.”

Tears glistened in Mom’s eyes. She swallowed hard, fighting the tears and losing her battle. A few droplets trailed down her cheeks. She blew out air. “I promised myself not to cry before church.”