“That must be your father. Don’t tell him what you just told me.” Mom scanned me once more before she went to the door and opened it. I tensed when Dad stepped in, worried he’d try to talk me out of the wedding. I knew Nevio still wished I’d turn into a runaway bride, and while Dad wasn’t as vocal about his dismay he too wanted me to stay in Vegas. Their love and worry for me were the reason for their reaction but today I didn’t want to hear about it.
Dad’s dark eyes softened when they scanned me from head to toe. Mom whispered something to him, then kissed his cheek before she left.
“Dad?” I slowly walked toward him and peered up at his face. Many people called it cruel and merciless, but for me it had always held warmth and love, and it was no different today.
“Do we get your blessing?”
Dad chuckled in his usual derisive style. “Blessings aren’t my style.” He cupped my cheek. “But I respect your choice, Mia Cara. You aren’t a little girl anymore. I want you to find happiness in New York, but never forget that a loving home is always waiting for you in Las Vegas if you ever choose to return.”
I hugged him briefly, knowing this was Dad’s version of a blessing and I was so relieved.
Dad and Remo sat across from each other on the sofas in the backroom of church. I wasn’t sure why Mom had thought it a good idea to have them with me before the ceremony. They weren’t the best moral support.
The only one who’d been somewhat tolerable was Matteo who’d cracked a few jokes that had lifted the tension. Valerio had already rushed off, probably to flirt with Camorra girls he had no business being close to.
“It’s almost time,” I reminded them, hoping they’d take the cue and leave. Remo got up but he walked over to me. He handed me a couple of printed out photos. I cocked an eyebrow when I scanned them. They showed a blood-splattered room. The bed in the center was an even worse mess. It looked as if they’d slaughtered a pig on it. But it wasn’t an animal carcass that lay sprawled on the bed.
If Remo thought he could intimidate me with these images, he forgot what my last name was. I’d pummeled a biker to a bloody pulp with a hammer as a teen when we’d saved Marcella.
“When you’re thinking about creating bloody sheets tonight, remember what Nino and I did to Kiara’s uncle at the last big wedding between the Camorra and the Famiglia.”
Dad got up too and shook his head. “You took photos of the fucking mess you created back then? It took weeks to renovate the room. You acted like barbarians.”
“Thanks for the pleasant images before the happiest day in my life.”
Remo narrowed his eyes at Dad. “Many would call it barbaric to get off on virgin blood covered sheets.”
I gritted my teeth and sought Matteo’s eyes in the mirror, trying to give him a silent sign to remove those two from the room, or at least Remo.
Dad smirked. “I’m half tempted to call Dante so he can tell us how kindly he took your presentation of the sheets of your first night with Serafina.”
“At least I presented real sheets.”
“Enough.” Matteo shook his head and handed them both flasks. “Take a few gulps of this special concoction. It’ll lift your mood.”
“What about me? The groom usually gets a flask.”
Matteo winked. “You need your wits about you. Tonight’s a special night, I don’t want you to pass out too soon.”
Dad sniffed at the flask, then narrowed his eyes at Matteo. “What is it? The scent is familiar.”
“It takes plenty of poison to kill me,” Remo said with a twisted grin at Matteo.
“We’ll see.”
Holding Matteo’s gaze, Remo took a tiny gulp, then his lips curled.
“It’s Cannabis moonshine. Gianna and I brewed it as an experiment a while back and took a shine on it.” He winked again. I had a feeling he’d gotten a head start on the cannabis moonshine already. If that made sure he wouldn’t kill Alessio, Massimo or Nevio today, I didn’t care if he smoked a few bongs too.
“Fuck it. We don’t consume our own product!” Dad growled.
“It’s not our stuff. Gianna bought it at a Russian dealer. She says their ware is superior and cheaper, which is something we need to work on, by the way.”
Remo closed the lid of his flask and shoved it at me. “I’ll let you to your discussions about the dismal state of your drug production and go to my daughter.”
I knew he would threaten me a few more times today. I would probably have been disappointed if he didn’t. Greta deserved to be treated like a queen.
Dad stepped up behind me and our eyes met in the mirror. “Don’t drink that stuff. You should have your wits about you tonight.”