The wedding was scheduled for late afternoon. I chose a Boho-style dress without pearls or a bodice. The top was knitted with a V-neckline, and the skirt flowed freely around my body, touching the ground in soft waves. My hair was down and fell in untamed curls around my shoulders.
I allowed myself another moment to regard my reflection. This day felt so very different to my last wedding day. Back then I’d been scared of the unknown but determined to do what was expected of me, content to marry a man I hardly knew and definitely wasn’t in love with. Today I was absolutely certain of my love for my future husband. Remo held my heart in an iron grip, and I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.
Love can bloom in the darkest place, and ours did wildly, freely, untamable.
I hadn’t thought it possible to feel that way for someone; occasionally I’d dreamed of it or foolishly hoped for it, but I knew it to be a rare gift in our circles.
I left our bedroom and walked through the silent hallways of the mansion, a place that had become my home and a safe haven for Greta and Nevio. Falcone. A name we all would carry with pride. A name that our kids would always be able to speak with their heads held high.
Adamo waited for me in the game room and smiled when he spotted me. The French windows were open and a gentle breeze carried in, warm and soothing. Adamo was dressed in slacks and a white shirt and had gotten a haircut to tame his wild curls for the occasion. Tears sprang into my eyes, and my chest constricted painfully. This was supposed to be Samuel. I wanted him at my side in one of the most important moments of my life. He was meant to walk me down the aisle. It had always been meant to be him, but he wasn’t here.
Adamo extended his hand and I put mine in it. He squeezed. “One day your family will understand. One day there will be peace.”
I peered up at him, at his kind smile and warm eyes, then lowered my gaze to the burn mark on his forearm, on the healed cuts. Occasionally, I still saw the haunted look in his eyes and I wondered if he hid the worst of his struggle from us. He was barely home anymore. So much pain and suffering in the name of revenge and honor. “You want peace after what my family did to you?”
“You’re going to marry the man who kidnapped you.”
I laughed. He had me there. If someone had told me on the day of my almost wedding to Danilo that I’d ever consider becoming a Falcone, I would have laughed in their face. So much had changed since then. I hardly knew the girl from back then anymore. She had been replaced by someone stronger.
Adamo lightly tugged at my hand and indicated toward the gardens. “Come. They’re all waiting, and you know how Remo is. Patience isn’t his strength.”
No, it wasn’t, but he’d waited for me more than once.
Adamo led me out of the mansion and past the pool toward the small congregation down the lawn.
My bare feet touched the warm grass, and then I spotted Remo at the end of the aisle below a white wood arc, and a sense of rightness filled me. Blood-red roses trailed around the arc, contrasting beautifully with the white. Kiara had arranged everything with Leona’s help.
It wasn’t a big feast with hundreds of guests, most of whom neither of us would have cared about. It was just us, Remo’s brothers, Fabiano, Kiara, Leona, and the twins, and it felt perfect that way. By not inviting every Underboss of the Camorra, Remo had risked insulting a lot of people, but knowing him he didn’t give a damn and his soldiers probably knew better than to voice their displeasure should they feel it.
In his dark slacks, black dress shirt, and blood-red vest, Remo was a sight to behold. Tall and dark and brutally handsome. His eyes scorched me even from afar, and one corner of his mouth pulled up in that twisted smile, always on the verge of darkness, that I’d come to love.
“Ready?” Adamo asked when we arrived at the starting point of the long aisle of white petals. I didn’t even want to know how long Kiara and Leona had spent arranging them neatly in a pathway, but they had insisted on doing it.
“Yes,” I could say it without doubt, without hesitation.
Everyone had gathered to both sides of the arc. Kiara held Greta in her arms and Nino held Nevio. I couldn’t wait for them to be parents as well. And then I caught sight of a blond head off to the side, away from the rest, at the very fringes, and my throat tightened up. My gaze locked with Samuel’s. He stood with his hands shoved inside his pockets, his expression unreadable. For a moment I was completely immobilized by my emotions. Pure joy and a flicker of worry, because there definitely wasn’t peace between the Camorra and the Outfit. I pushed the last sentiment aside, focusing on the fact that my twin, my Samuel was here on one of the most important days of my life.
Adamo and I started walking down the aisle. I still wished Sam was the one walking beside me, but I understood why he couldn’t, why his pride didn’t allow him to hand me over to Remo.
My gaze drew away from Samuel toward the man who had captured my heart with wild abandon. Remo’s dark eyes held mine as I headed toward him. When we arrived in the front, Greta spotted me and gave me a huge grin. A single petal stuck to the corner of her mouth. That was why Kiara had only bought edible flowers. She was just perfect with kids.
My heart overflowed with love for all of them. Nevio stood beside Nino, or rather held onto his leg, but I could tell that he was growing tired of standing still. He’d soon roam the gardens on unsteady legs.
I let go of Adamo and took Remo’s outstretched hand. Smiling up at Remo, I whispered. “How? How did you get Samuel to come?” My eyes darted to my twin for a moment, disbelieving, incredulous, and so impossibly happy.
I looked back up to Remo, trying to hold back my emotions.
Remo ran his thumb over the back of my hand, his dark eyes filled with warmth he didn’t bestow on many.
“I swore he’d be safe if he came. I used your phone to call him. It was a difficult process.”
I swallowed. I could imagine how much time and effort it had cost to convince Samuel to come here, to risk so much. And I knew that Remo would have to let go of some of his pride to make a step toward my brother, the enemy. He’d done it for me. “He tortured you, almost killed you…”
Remo squeezed my hand. “I did worse. I took you from him. If I was him, I wouldn’t forgive me either.”
“Thank you for bringing him here, Remo.” I touched his chest, hoping he could see just how fiercely I loved him.
“Whatever’s in there, it’s yours,” he said with a dark smile.
“And I love every part of it, of you, the good, the bad, the light, the dark, even your blackest corners.”
Remo’s eyes flashed with fierce affection.
Nino did the ceremony since we didn’t want any outsiders around for our special day. He’d gotten the license to do so only recently, which didn’t pose a big problem in Las Vegas.
We kept the ceremony short, foregoing a long-winded traditional speech before we spoke our vows. We each had chosen rings for the other that we hadn’t seen yet.
I took Remo’s hand and slipped the ring on. It was a black tungsten carbide ring with an ebony wood inlay. Remo raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Carbide is twice as strong as steel,” I whispered. “Because you are the strongest man I know.” I smiled at the flicker of adoration in his eyes. “And ebony because wood is enduring and because you gave not only me roots but also our children and your brothers.”
The look on Remo’s face made it clear that I had made the right choice and relief filled me. He took my hand and slipped on a ring in the shape of two entwining wings, one dotted with white diamonds, the other with black gemstones.
“The white wing represents you,” Remo said in a low voice, leaning closer so only I could hear him. “Because you are pure perfection, my angel. And the black wing with the black sapphires represents me, my darkness, that you manage to accept.”
Remo kissed me, his fingers touching the tattoo on my neck.
“You set me free,” I said, my voice thick with emotion.
He shook his head and our lips brushed, his eyes dark and intent. “I was the one who needed to be freed.”
I kissed him fiercely. Free of the shackles of his past. When we pulled away, I realized everyone had taken a few steps back to give us privacy. My eyes were drawn to Samuel whose expression was like stone.
I needed to talk to him, to embrace him. Remo squeezed my hand to show me it was okay.
I headed for Samuel and Remo released my hand, but my fingers clung to him, pulling him along.
“Angel, you had one ruined wedding. Do you want to add a bloody one to your list?”
I glanced at him. “You won’t attack my brother.”
His eyes went past me. “I won’t.”
“And Samuel won’t attack you either,” I said firmly.
Samuel stood tall, expression harsh as it settled on Remo. I finally let go of Remo’s hand, and he stayed a few steps back as I bridged the remaining distance between Sam and me. I stopped right in front of my twin. I peered up at Samuel, and he lowered his gaze to mine, and despite everything I had done, everything he knew, his expression softened with love and tenderness.
I started crying because I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed him, how much I longed for his forgiveness. “You came.”
I wrapped my arms around his middle, and he hugged me back. “I’d do anything for you Fina, even stare into the eyes of the man I want to kill more than anything in this world.” We stayed in each other’s embrace for a few moments, trying to make every second last a lifetime because we knew there would be few chances like this in the future.
I pulled back, searching his blue eyes. “They don’t know you’re here.”
“Nobody knows. If they did … it would be considered betrayal. We’re at war.”
“You’re risking too much for me,” I whispered.
“I didn’t risk enough. That’s why we’re standing here today.” He sighed. “I got all of your messages. I read them and I considered replying so often, but I was an idiot. I was angry and hurt.”
I touched his cheek. “Forgive me.”
“Fina, I’d forgive you of anything. But him…” Samuel indicated Remo “…him I won’t ever forgive for taking you from us, from me. Not in one million years.”
I swallowed. “I love him. He’s the father of my children.”
Samuel kissed my forehead. “That’s why I won’t put a bullet in his head today, even if I considered doing it on the way here.”
Samuel’s love for me stopped him from killing Remo, and Remo’s love for me stopped him from killing my twin. I wished their love could also make them see past the feud, past the old hatred. “Will you be safe?”
“Don’t worry about me, Fina.” He raised his gaze to the man behind me. “I don’t have to ask if you’ll be safe because his eyes tell me all I need to know. He’s a fucking murderous bastard, but a bastard who will kill anyone daring to look at you the wrong way.”
I glanced over my shoulder at Remo, who was regarding us with intent. He looked relaxed to someone who didn’t know him very well, but I caught the subtle tension in his muscles, the vigilance in his eyes. He didn’t trust Samuel. Further down beside the arc, Nino kept throwing evaluating looks our way as well. “Remo will go through fire for me and our children,” I whispered.
Samuel nodded. I could tell that he needed to go. He was surrounded by his enemies, and even if I knew he was safe because Remo had declared him as such, he felt uncomfortable.
“Will I see you again? I can’t lose you, Sam.”
Samuel rested his forehead against mine. “You won’t lose me. I don’t know how, but I’ll try to talk to you on the phone and reply to your messages. But I can’t come here again. And you can’t come to Outfit territory.”
“Thank you for being here.”
He kissed my forehead again. Then with another hard look toward Remo, he walked away, sideways, never fully turning his back because he didn’t trust Remo’s promise. When he finally disappeared from view, I released a sharp breath. A bittersweet happiness filled me.
Remo came up behind me, his arms wrapping around my chest, pulling me against him. “You’ll see him again. He won’t give you up. He’s as stubborn as you.”
I gave him an indignant look. “I’m not stubborn.”
“Of course not.” He kissed my shoulder blade then lightly bit down on the crook of my neck, making me shiver with desire. I couldn’t wait to be alone with him.
REMO
Serafina was practically shaking with arousal as I led her to our bedroom after the wedding feast. She was a beautiful bride, free and untamed and glowing with happiness. She was everything she was meant to be.
When we arrived in our bedroom, she pushed me against the door, shutting it in the process. Standing on her tiptoes, she pressed her body against mine, her fingers raking through my hair as her mouth tasted mine. Fuck. I met her tongue with hunger and need as my hands cupped her ass through her dress, squeezing hard. She moaned into my mouth, rubbing her breasts against my chest. One of her hands slid down my chest and closed over my cock, which was already painfully hard.
I rocked my hips, driving myself against her palm.
Snatching up Serafina’s hand, I turned us around, trapping her between the door and my body, her arm raised above her head, pressed into the wood. “So dominant,” she teased, and I silenced her with a harsher kiss, thrusting against her to show her what awaited her. I gathered her long skirt. “Hold it up, Angel,” I ordered.
She bit her lip, stifling a smile. Her fingers curled over the fabric, and she held it up, revealing a flimsy lace thong.
I got down on one knee, smiling darkly as I slid the thin piece of clothing down her legs, laying her pussy bare to me. “Remember the first time I tasted your pussy?”
She widened her stance slightly, making a small impatient rocking motion with her pelvis. “How could I ever forget? It was the best thing I’d ever felt.” Her voice was heavy with arousal.
“I’m going to make today even better,” I promised.
“Please, Remo, just taste me already.”
I hooked my palm under her knee and opened her up as I pressed her leg up against the door. Finally, I leaned forward and took a long lick. Pulling back, I rasped. “Oh, Angel, you’re already so fucking ready for my cock.”
Her eyes narrowed. “I don’t care. I want your tongue first. Now stop talking.”
I chuckled, ridiculously turned on by her desire and bossiness. Thrusting two fingers into her, I began sucking her clit. She cried out, one of her hands clutching my head as I alternated between sucking her nub and her soft lips while my fingers worked her deeply. Her wetness and the heady scent of her arousal drove me insane with desire, my cock close to combusting. I just wanted to fuck her, but she’d get what she wanted first. Her moans and whimpers turned more desperate as I drove her close to the brink only to release her clit and suckle the inside of her thigh, my fingers stilling.
“Remo,” she said, half angry, half desperate.
I closed my mouth over her clit as I slammed my fingers into her, and Serafina arched up, crying out my name as her release shook her body. I kept thrusting and suckling until she began jerking, overwhelmed by the sensation. Sliding my fingers out of her channel, I dipped my tongue in, causing her to let out another low moan. I pushed to my feet, shoving down my pants and crashing my lips down against hers so she could taste herself. “Ready to be fucked now?” I growled.
“Oh yes,” she groaned, her marble cheeks flushed with desire.
I hoisted her up against the door, her dress bunched between our bodies as Serafina wrapped her legs around my hips. Locking gazes, I drove into her in one hard thrust. Her walls clamped down around my cock, and she tilted her head back with a gasp, baring that perfect throat. I marked her unblemished skin, my fingers digging into her soft thighs as I slammed into her again and again. She clung to my shoulders, her lips parted, lids hooded with pleasure. Her grip turned painful as she got closer, her heels digging into my ass. I groaned, my balls tightening, but I kept thrusting into her, pushing her up against the wall, and then she froze with a beautiful cry. It took all my fucking self-control not to be swept away with her. Grunting, I kept rocking my hips until she softened, and her head fell forward for an uncoordinated kiss.
“Don’t get too comfortable. I’m not done with you,” I said roughly.
She smiled against my mouth, her blond hair sticking to her and my forehead as I carried her over to our bed. I dropped her down on the mattress, and she let out an indignant huff, her legs already parting in invitation.
I shook my head with a dark smile. “On your knees.”
She rolled over, presenting her round ass cheeks then knelt on the bed. The sight of her waiting for me like that made my cock twitch. I leaned over her and bit her ass cheek before I pulled her toward my waiting cock. I caught the slight tensing of her muscles, the way she braced herself but she loosened, turned soft when I slid into her pussy not her ass.
We’d tried it a few times. It had always been my favorite before her, but I could tell Serafina only did it for me. She didn’t enjoy it and in turn it had lost its appeal to me. I wanted Serafina crazy with lust not tense with discomfort.
I established a hard, fast rhythm, my balls slapping against her pussy. Serafina reached under her body and began stroking her clit, brushing my dick with her nails in the process, driving me completely crazy. Leaning forward, I brushed her hair aside so I could see her inked wings. I had already been close, and as I slammed into Serafina deeper than before, I finally let loose. Serafina got caught by my climax as well and bucked up, her arms giving out as her own release hit her. I kept pumping into her until I was completely spent. I gave her ass a clap before I pulled out and dropped down beside her. She snuggled against me, our breathing ragged, bodies slick with sweat. We shared a slow, lingering kiss.
I wrapped an arm around her shoulder, and Serafina linked our hands, holding them up. The winged ring with the diamonds and black sapphires looked perfect on her long finger. I had it made for her, and it had taken the jeweler several tries to get it exactly how I wanted it. His forehead was always slick with perspiration the moment I’d paid him a visit.
Serafina had caught me by surprise with her choice for me, but she couldn’t have chosen better. The black carbide with the ebony center didn’t feel foreign on my hand like I’d feared it would. I’d never worn any kind of jewelry, and I had thought I never would. Marriage had been out of the question. I’d never understood its appeal. I had companionship with my brothers, and I had enough women at my disposal for sex.
I’d never cared for any woman, except for Kiara maybe, but that was a different kind of caring. And then came Serafina, my angel, the woman meant to be my greatest triumph, and she was—only not in the way I’d thought she’d be.
“What are you thinking?” Serafina murmured, her voice slow and relaxed.
“That you are my greatest triumph.”
She peered up at me. “I’m the queen. You are the king. And you used me to put the Outfit in checkmate.”
Her voice was soft and teasing because she knew I didn’t mean it like that, not anymore.
“If anyone’s been checkmated, then it’s me,” I murmured. “You knocked me over, wiped away my resolve, captured my cruel black heart.”
She raised her head. “Neither of us has been checkmated. We both won the game. We got each other. We got Nevio and Greta.”
“You had to lose something to win.”
She nodded but her eyes weren’t sad. “I did. But losing something makes you appreciate the things you have so much more. I don’t regret a thing because it brought me here. I love you with every fiber of my being.”
I pulled her in for a kiss, still stunned that she could ever love me after what I’d done. I lightly traced the almost invisible scar on her forearm. “And I love you,” I murmured harshly. I never thought I’d utter those words to anyone, even though I’d admitted my feelings to Serafina before. “Because you brave my darkness every day, because you should run but you don’t, because you gave me the greatest gift of all, our children and yourself.”
“I brave your darkness gladly because your light shines all the brighter against it,” she said. I kissed her fiercely.
This woman had my cruel heart. She’d always have it.
I was cruel.
I was beyond redemption, but I didn’t care as long as Serafina … as long as Nevio and Greta saw something redeeming when they looked at me. I’d make sure I’d never betray their love and trust. And if anyone ever dared to take them away from me, I’d show those unfortunate bastards what I was to those I didn’t give a fuck about: the cruelest man of the west.
