"I know how important a church wedding is to you, Nonna," Christian murmurs, "and my bride was very particular that we say our vows with God as our witness."
What the—! This man, he’s milking the situation for all it’s worth. I’m so going to make him pay for this.
Nonna turns her shrewd gaze on me. "Aurora, is it?" She takes in my features. "You're Doctor Garibaldi's daughter?"
I nod.
Her brow furrows. "Strange that we haven't met before."
Not so strange because I had made sure to stay clear of the Don's family.
"I was away studying medicine in London," I offer.
“Hmm…” Her lips purse. "How long have you known my grandson?"
I blink. Umm… What should I say? That he held me captive, then threatened my family so I’d have no choice but to agree? I open my mouth, but Christian beats me to it.
"Not long, Nonna. It was a colpo di fulmine," he murmurs. A bolt of lightning, as Italians refer to love at first sight.
I shoot him a sideways glance to find him wearing an intent expression on his face. "You know how it is, Nonna. I saw her, and I knew it was her. I wasted no time in asking her to marry me."
She surveys his features for a beat, another. Then, whatever she sees there must convince her, for she nods. "And you, Aurora?" She turns to me. "Was it a colpo di fulmine for you too?"
More like hate at first sight. I swallow down the words that threaten to tumble out of my mouth. "Yes." I nod. "I saw Christian, and I knew nothing would ever be the same again.” Which is true; my life has turned upside down since I met him.
Nonna’s gaze intensifies. "And you want to get married in church?"
"I already told you she does," Christian interjects.
"I want to hear it from Aurora," Nonna says in a sharp voice.
Shit, this woman sure is astute. I’m going to have to be on my toes if I want to make sure that she believes that our marriage is for real. "Yes." I tilt up my chin. "I want to marry Christian in church, in front of our families and God."
"It’s settled then." Christian pulls me close and brushes his lips over my temple. "The second wedding in the family will take place in three days."
"Christian," Michael speaks for the first time since Christian made his announcement. "It’s time you and I had a word, don’t you think?"
Christian kisses my forehead. "Behave," he murmurs. I shoot him a glance, and he chuckles. "Or don't." His grin widens before he leans in to whisper in my ear, "In fact, I rather you don't. I'll take great pleasure in punishing you then."
He pivots on his heel and walks off.
7
Christian
"You are not fooling me," Michael drawls from his position near the bar.
All through the earlier conversation, when Nonna was quizzing me and Aurora, he didn't utter a word. Until the end. Then, as the reception got underway, he pulled me aside. He wanted to speak to me separately and ushered me into his study.
Now, he pours a healthy measure of the Macallan 18 into a glass and offers it to me. I walk over and take it as he cradles his tumbler.
"I have no idea what you mean." I take a sip of my whiskey and savor the warmth.
"That. What you said outside," he murmurs, "doesn’t cut it for me."
"Oh?" I tilt my head. "What I do with my personal life is my issue.
"Until you trespass on mine."