The moment we sat down, the redheaded troublemaker took her seat beside Aria. I hoped she wouldn’t make a scene. On the other hand, perhaps it would distract from the scene Matteo would undoubtedly make.
My brother took a large sip of wine before he leaned over to me. “All through church, I couldn’t think about anything but to stick my knife into a few Outfit fuckers. A bloody wedding would be so much more interesting than this farce. And I don’t mean our fucking bloody sheets tradition. At least you get to spill some blood tonight.”
Matteo laughed and I fell in but then sobered again. I had been at a few presentations of the sheets over the years. Matteo and I had always made fun of them. My eyes found Aria, who was listening to something her sister whispered in her ear. Aria was my wife now. She was mine to protect. I hated the idea of presenting sheets with her blood in the morning. She’d be fucking embarrassed, that was for sure.
“You got a strange look on your face, Luca. Worried she won’t bleed?”
I narrowed my eyes at Matteo. “I hope you’re not insinuating that Aria isn’t honorable.”
Matteo snorted. “Oh please, it’s obvious she’s never even been close to a man, the way she acts around them, and you.” He grinned. “But perhaps you can’t go through with it.”
I gave him a disbelieving look. “Really? You think anything or anyone could stop me from taking my wife tonight?”
Matteo smirked. “No, not a single man in this room could stop you, and probably not even all of them. But perhaps she will.” He nodded toward Aria, who was holding her sister’s hand, looking pale and small.
“You’ve lost your fucking mind, Matteo. You should know me better than that. I will fuck her.”
Matteo shrugged. “Perhaps.”
Matteo rose from his chair after everyone had settled down and clinked his knife against the champagne glass to silence the crowd. I sent him a warning look, which only made him grin. I’d kill him one day. “Ladies and gentlemen, old and new friends, we’ve come here today to celebrate the wedding of my brother Luca and his stunningly beautiful wife, Aria…” Matteo made an exaggerated bow in her direction.
Aria smiled tensely and Gianna sent her best death glare my brother’s way. As if that would discourage him. “To uncharted grounds. Nothing better than to tread on fresh snow, leaving the first marks.” He winked at me, then Aria, before he turned to the crowd. “I’m sure everyone here agrees! To uncharted grounds!
The men laughed and threw his words back at me, lifting their glasses in my direction.
I shook my head with a smile. Matteo was a fucking nuisance. My smile died when I saw Aria. She’d put her brave face on, but her skin was bright red from embarrassment and her eyes reflected anxiety. Gianna was clutching one of her hands, but the other was curled into a fist on her pure white dress. For some reason, I wanted to reach out and unfurl her fingers, link them with my own. It was a ridiculous notion I would never follow, especially not in a room with my enemies and my soldiers.
I was glad when my father and Scuderi were done with their toasts and the food was finally served. Not only was I starving, but I was tired of their bullshit talk.
The servers began piling the tables with antipasti.
“I wanted to make a toast as your bridesmaid, but Father forbade it. He seemed worried I would say something to embarrass our family,” Gianna said loudly.
I looked her way then rolled my eyes and filled my plate with antipasti. Aria took a big gulp from her wine and lifted the glass for another. I stopped her with my hand on hers.
“You should eat.” Her plate was empty, and she hadn’t touched any of the appetizers during the champagne reception. Her lips thinned, but she picked up a piece of bread and took a bite before she dropped it on her plate. She didn’t eat much more when the main course was served, and I had to hold back my frustration, especially when she drank more wine. Maybe she thought I didn’t notice because my father and the Cavallaros dragged me into a conversation about the Bratva, but I wasn’t blind.
When it was time for our dance, I rose and held out my hand. Of course the crowd requested another kiss the second Aria stood beside me. I pulled her against me, tightening my grip when she swayed. Her gaze wasn’t as focused as it should be. She’d definitely had too much alcohol.
I had to steer her over the dance floor in a tight grip to keep her upright and stop her from stumbling, all the while fighting my anger.