Ruined in Vows (Marchetti Family #3)

51. Allegra

Chapter 51

Allegra

S taring blankly out of the hotel window, my gaze takes in the small dots of people and traffic down below.

My eyes burn with unshed tears, threatening to spill over. Emotion tightens my throat, hands trembling uncontrollably in my lap as my nerves get the best of me. So much for being strong. I feel like I might pass out at any second.

Truthfully, right now, this all feels like a fever dream. As if it’s not real. Like I stepped outside of my own body, and I am looking at a stranger. If it weren’t for the low murmur of Nico’s voice as he issues orders to Matteo, and Mamma’s heavy stare never leaving my face, keeping me grounded in this moment, then I might believe that it was a hallucination.

But it’s wishful thinking.

This is very much a nightmare – one of my own doing.

We are in the city for my wedding to Riccardo Romano.

Despite willingly putting myself in this position, I am now regretting it more with every second that passes. At the time, I thought I was doing the right thing. Believed I was being brave, by fulfilling my duty to my family and protecting them. But now I realize how na?ve I was. Some people might even call me a martyr. And they would be right. Because now I find myself deep in this situation, with no way out.

Furthermore, and probably the worst part of this fucked up wedding, is that not only will I destroy myself in the process, but more importantly, the man I love.

Dante, who after fucking me, quickly dressed and hastily left my room, locking himself away in his own bedroom before the hair and make-up people arrived. It was a dagger to my heart and I know he is hurting – but I am too.

What he doesn’t seem to understand is this is killing me as much as it is him. It’s no coincidence that my heart is slowing down, dulling with every minute that passes.

My throat closes, pulse kicking up to an unnatural rhythm, when I remember what is happening today. Panic heats my blood and I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to steady my heart rate. I want nothing more than to break down, but I cannot, and will not, show weakness.

“Honey?” Mamma calls, no doubt sensing my turmoil.

My eyes flutter open, gaze shifting to a stoic looking Alessio in the chair beside her before moving to Mamma. Tears fill her eyes, concern and worry written all over her pretty face.

Shooting her a weak, watery smile, I croak out. “I’m okay.”

“ Mia figlia ,” she cries, her tears spilling over, streaming down her face.

I swallow. And though I want to tell her to stop crying, that everything will work out, I can’t bring myself to lie. Not able to look at her tears any longer - because if I do, I’m likely to throw myself off the suite’s balcony - I turn to look at my brother when he calls my name. Tension radiates from every inch of him and I’m not sure if it’s because of the impending wedding or the fact that he has left his heavily pregnant wife and son at home, due to Ocean being sick.

Moving toward me, he drops to his haunches, taking my hand, and giving a gentle squeeze. I’m sure he thinks it’s comforting and honestly, I appreciate the gesture, but really nothing is going to help me right now. Well, not unless he tells me we can go to the roof where the chopper is grounded and head back to The Hamptons.

“I promise you that everything is going to be okay, Leg,” he murmurs, his eyes intense as he watches me. There is something in his blue orbs, begging me to believe him. But–

“How can you say that?” I screech, flying out of the armchair, finally losing all sense of calm and freaking out. “I’m about to marry a monster. All the while the man that I love is back home, so pissed with me, I don’t know if he will ever forgive me or want anything to do with me again.” My voice wobbles with my outburst, the tears I was so desperate to hold in, now pouring down my face and ruining my makeup. Good thing Mamma had the foresight to bring both the stylist and make-up artist into the city with us. They are currently on the floor below ours waiting to do any touch-ups I may need. “I made a mistake agreeing to this. We should have fought. I believed Dante was dead and wanted to save my family. Back then, I didn’t realize it would be at the expense of losing myself and Dante.” I collapse in a heap on the floor, my chest heaving at my outburst.

Mamma rushes over, wrapping her arms around my body. She whispers words of comfort in my ear, trying to console me. Again, I appreciate the sentiment, but it’s not helping my current hysteria.

Strong arms wrap around me, lifting and settling me on the couch. Nico drops down on one side of me, with Mamma on the other side. Both Matteo and Alessio make themselves scarce in the kitchenette. No doubt they will be appointing Nico’s guards to their relevant positions shortly. The wedding will begin in just under two hours in the Catholic church down the street. It was a mutual decision from both families to use a church in what is considered neutral territory. Every one of the two hundred guests will have to walk through a metal detector and no weapons will be allowed inside. And soldiers from both the Riccardo and Marchetti organizations will be positioned all around the building. Not only is it for the safety of all the guests, but there will be a whole lot of high-profile people with targets on their heads. Including the other outfits that make up the five families and the commission. It’s laughable really, though not amusing at all, considering this farce of a wedding. The fact I will be able to count on my hands how many of our guests I personally know, is also overwhelming.

All little girls daydream about their wedding day. From whom they will marry, to the dress they will wear, down to the venue and even the colors they will choose. I know I did. Many times. And I never imagined anything like this. My idea of the perfect day was my nearest and dearest witnessing as I met Dante at the end of the aisle. The reality of what I am actually going to be walking into makes me physically sick.

“Allegra, listen to me,” Nico demands. Swiping the tears from under my eyes, I pin my stare on my brother, waiting for him to continue. “I will never allow anything to happen to you. You are my family, my sister, and I need you to trust me.” I frown, letting his words soak in. There is an underlying current to his tone, but my head is so fuzzy, I struggle to comprehend what he is saying to me. He takes my hand, squeezing. “Dante will be fine. You will be fine.”

“I don’t understand,” I whisper.

Nico smiles knowingly. “Just trust me, little sister.”

“You have said that twice now,” I point out.

“Let me ask you this. Have I ever let anything bad happen to you? I have always protected you, Allegra. Focus on that. Remember that.”

My brows furrow in confusion. Gaze locked on Nico, I search his face, but still, I can’t absorb anything he just said. Yet somehow, I feel a little lighter.

“Okay,” I finally murmur.

Nico smiles. “Okay,” he repeats, rising to stand. “Now why don’t you finish getting dressed. I need to go talk to Matteo about some things.”

Nodding my agreement, I exhale a calming breath, preparing myself for every possible outcome today. Surely, Nico wouldn’t be this calm if he truly believed this marriage was going to happen. Nothing makes sense. But the vehemence of his words, his relaxed posture… it's got to mean something. Right?

Though I can’t be sure of anything right now, I choose to focus on my brother’s words, allowing the small bit of hope blooming inside me to take root and grow.

My brother shoots me an indecipherable look, leaving me stupefied once more. Then he turns on his heel, disregarding me and striding toward his second in command.

Rising from the couch, Mamma stands beside me, taking me in her arms and hugging me tightly.

“I love you, mia figlia, ” she tells me softly.

“I love you, Mamma,” I reply, only to startle when the penthouse door is thrown open.

The men in the room draw their guns, ready to fire, only to lower them when they take in the man causing the commotion.

With a heaving chest, and a crazed look in his dark eyes, he looks positively feral.

But I am just relieved to see him.

The man who has my whole heart.

Dante has arrived.