Ruthless Prince (Dark Syndicate 1)

I see him now. I see Dad. There he is in the front pew. Like everyone else, he’s been looking at me. Our eyes connect. The remorse and defeat in his eyes grip me. He wears the face of a helpless man who’s watching his only child marry his enemy.

His eyes follow me as I walk by, and I swear I see a tear slide down his cheek. I look back and realize I’m right. He wipes it away quickly, though, with the heel of his hand.

I turn back to face Massimo and find him gazing at Dad with that stern expression I hate.

I reach him on those shaky legs, and that’s when he focuses his attention back on me.

Father De Lucca begins with a welcome to our guests and jumps right into a blessing on us. Nerves fill me, and I find myself switching to autopilot. I haven’t been to many weddings, but I know ours will be quick.

When the priest finishes the blessing on our marriage and I know it’s time to say our vows, the gravity of what I’m doing hits me full force.

I’m getting married. Me. I’m getting married to this man who’s turned my world every way except the way it was supposed to be.

We’re getting married. I’ll be his wife, and he’ll be my husband.

Even if I manage to escape, those things will never change until death do us part.

“When you’re ready, you may say your vows,” Father De Lucca says, slicing through my thoughts. He looks to Massimo first, who straightens and starts to recite his vows.

"I, Massimo D’Agostino, take you, Emelia Balesteri, to be my wife. I promise to be true to you in good times, in bad, in sickness and in health. I will honor you all the days of my life."

I pull in a little breath and focus on what I’m supposed to say. "I, Emelia Balesteri, take you, Massimo D’Agostino, to be my husband. I promise to be true to you in good times, in sickness and in health. I will honor you all the days of my life."

Father De Lucca smiles and switches his focus to Massimo. "Do you, Massimo D’Agostino, take Emelia D’Agostino to be your lawful wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do you part?"

“I do,” Massimo says. I wonder if he means to keep that vow to me. I wonder how many women he’ll have. Will he still be with Gabriella? At least she’s not here.

"Do you, Emelia Balesteri, take Massimo to be your lawful husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do you part?"

“I do,” I say. There’s a moment when Massimo and I stare at each other.

Don’t…

That one word comes back to haunt me, and my heart squeezes.

Don’t love him. Don’t fall for him. There was no mention of love in our vows. That was done on purpose, by him.

The sting of that realization makes me hate him so much right now, I wish I could run through that door and make my escape.

Tristan steps forward with the rings. Father De Lucca blesses mine and hands it to Massimo.

Massimo takes my hand and says, "I take this ring as a sign of our union and faithfulness in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit."

He places the ring on my finger. I do the same to him when Father De Lucca gives me his ring.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife,” Father De Lucca declares. I look at him as if I can’t believe what he’s saying. Just like that, I’ve become Emelia D’Agostino. “You may now kiss the bride.”

Massimo leans forward and kisses me. His kisses always feel real to me, like it’s us, like he truly wants to kiss me. This kiss, though, is supposed to be the one that matters, yet I feel nothing. I can’t feel him anywhere. Even his lips are cold.

He pulls away and takes my hand to lead me away as everyone stands and applauds.

A shout from the back suddenly catches my attention. It’s near the door. There’s a commotion. I look ahead to see what’s happening.

“I object!” comes a strangled cry from a voice I recognize.

Jacob?

Massimo and I stop in our tracks as Jacob comes into view, fighting against the guards. He’s shouting the same two words over and over again.