A Bond by Marriage

Chapter 3

Gia's POV-



My marriage with Dino was fixed for a few days later. And by few, I really meant very few. With less time came a lot of anxiety to get everything arranged on time. Especially invitations even when there was no soul in Famiglia Prescelta in and outside Chicago who didn't know the news. I mean it was enough that the boss was getting married but with an outcast… that tale would be sung for years. So, while my uncle had been busy inviting people, Aldo had gotten taken care of anything and everything required in a marriage. But among all these, everybody seemed to forget about the bride— my wedding dress.

So, I discreetly brought it to my uncle and he quickly set up the designers, turning my room into a fashion show. And though I didn’t regret my decision to remind him, I didn’t wish to have so many dresses to choose from as well. Like, these were a lot… There was no space to walk around among the rows of stands, and I was sure the lady standing beside the dresses was getting tired of smiling so much. Also, it didn’t go unnoticed that they were all a little darker shade than being completely white. I sighed and just then two knocks sounded against my already opened door and I found Riccardo there with a deceiving smile.

“Can I enter ladies?” His question was to me. I looked away and nodded. “I see you are having trouble choosing a dress. Can I be of some help?” Of course, the woman agreed and nobody asked about my agreement. “Come here, Gia.”

I stood beside him as he felt the material of each dress before taking my hand to move onto another hanger rack behind the first. He soon dismissed everything there as well and moved to the third with me, creating distance between the woman and us. I was not even sure if she could see us anymore, but I sure could see Riccardo’s hand inches away from wrapping around my waist.

“Anything that you like, sir?” I had never been so happy to have anyone in my room ever before. Riccardo put his hand on my shoulder instead and instructed her to draw out a dress he chose.

“Wouldn’t you try that now?”

After, trial after trial, the dress I was asked to wear the second time was a backless, low-neckline dress with a lot of work on it from the waist down. I was wearing it the second time, but I knew this one was it. I knew the first time I wore it and saw Riccardo’s face.

“This is it,” he said. “For me, that is,” he added. “How do you like it, Gia?” I could almost hear him daring me to deny it. So, I complied. It was not as painful to comply because I knew or at least hoped that this was my last surrender.

My body stiffened when Riccardo hugged me, his hands on my bareback and his lips touched my ear. “You see? I still make decisions for you.” His answer made it all clear to me. He hadn’t been ignoring me, no. He was just too busy to keep himself sane, to make himself believe that he still controlled me. And as long as he had those photos, the video, I knew he would.

.

Since the day Dino slid the ring on my finger, I had been looking out for Riccardo. I could see the craziness in his eyes, the brewing rage behind his smile and I stayed alert. Every night. It had been three months since he last came to me and I didn’t want to marry Dino with Riccardo as my fresh memory. Because, for once, I was pretending to hope for a better life where no one would bother me. Until then, I needed to stay alert just this one last night.

It wasn’t that hard to stay away from him though, even when I could see him wanting to be near me. I forced myself to stay among the lady workers as much as I could during the day, which was the whole day. I followed them everywhere they went cleaning and I knew they were just as shocked. I had gotten waxed and had had facials, scrubs, manicures, pedicures, and all sorts of things that could possibly keep me busy and surrounded by people. But just as night fell, I locked my door and—

*knock*

“Gia?” It was my uncle, which was very unusual of him. I opened the door and stood in front of him until he raised his eyebrows. I quickly stepped aside. “Were you sleeping?”

“I was about to.” He nodded and didn't say anything as if rehearsing it in his head.

“Gia," he sighed. "You were the first to dare form a relationship with any man outside marriage and you are the first woman to get another chance. Second chances in Famiglia Prescelta are rare even for men, let alone for a woman who did something you did so, don’t f**k this up. I’m frustrated hearing about my incompetence to tame a young girl, and I need this marriage to be a success. Do not taint my name again.”

“I won't, uncle,” I said because not answering would only displease him further.

“Good.” After the only appreciation he could conjure up for me, he left and I gladly welcomed the emptiness of my room once again, for the last time.

Dino’s POV-

“Hey! Do you not know how to knock?” Marco said, glaring at me.

“And why should he?” Vito said and walked past me before sitting on Marco’s bed.

“Because I need privacy? This is why I want locks on my door— hey, you are going to break it!” Marco jumped out of his bed and possessively held his chair. I narrowed my eyes at him but he only frowned deeper before Vito encircled his arms around his waist and sat him back down on the bed beside him. “Hey!”

“You are twelve, what f*****g privacy do you need? And Dino paid for that chair, so calm your horses,” Vito lightly smacked Marco’s head.

“I don’t care if he paid for it, it was bought for me, it’s mine!”

“Enough,” I said. This boy tested my patience every single damn second.

“Get up from my chair,” he said defiantly.

“Marco, I do not have time to entertain you. I’ll leave. I’m only here to tell you that if you are not ready on time in the morning, I will drag you out into the car, and you will leave in whichever state I find you.” I said.

“Alright, mate? Better get ready on time. Or you’ll attend your brother’s wedding in your pyjamas or naked, in case he catches you in the middle of shower,” Vito smirked.

“I don’t even want—”

“Your say does not matter, Marco. You will leave with me tomorrow. And that’s an order,” I said, forgetting that I was supposed to talk to him nicely. Marco didn’t understand nice. And an order got the work done faster.

“C’mon buddy, your brother won’t get married every day and I’m not getting married ever,” Vito said, patting his shoulder before kissing his head. Marco rolled on his bed and fell on his stomach, tucking his head under the pillow. I left the room with Vito.

“You need to stop ordering him. He is just gonna dislike you more and he is growing up, fast must I say, and I can see the rebel,” Vito said.

“His ears are deaf to my words unless it’s an order.”

“You need to make him listen. Spend some time—”

“Well, you don’t order him. And yet I don’t see him following you in anything.”

“At least he doesn’t fear me.”

“Marco doesn’t fear me, Vito. Or are you blind to his behaviour?”

“If he didn’t fear you, he wouldn’t abide by your orders.”

“Is there any other way?” I raised my eyebrows at him.

“Umm… with him… I don’t know.” Exactly. Marco didn’t understand anything unless it was an order from me. And if fear was the way, then so be it. For now, because Vito was right. He was growing and his fear could turn into hate, which would further turn him into a rebel. And I couldn’t let that happen. I couldn’t let my brother, my blood go against me.

Gia's POV-

The last time I visited this church was years ago. I used to visit as often as I could, mourning my parents’ loss, but then it all stopped. I tried many times in the past to muster up the bravery and ask my uncle about my church visits, but I would back down just as the thought would crawl up my mind.

Today, I was here though. After years and lingering behind the doors with my uncle beside me, ready to give me over to my husband. I had already rubbed the sweat off my palms numerous times and yet I could feel them get clammy. There were so many things to fret about. The people around me, my expressions, my words, and the man I was going to wed.

“Look casual, Gia.” My uncle said just as the doors started retreating into the shadows, exposing me. So I stayed calm, even when I lost my balance on the very first step I took. The music resonated in my ears and I didn’t even dare wager a glance around me. I just walked, toughening my back as if that would hide the nakedness of it. It wasn’t until my uncle placed my hand in Dino’s did I lift my head for the first time. He didn’t look any different from the day I saw him last time. Once again, he was in a suit, his hair and beard set well, and eyes all icy. Uncle and Dino didn’t exchange any words and the priest started his long sermon along with the vows which we both recounted. Dino said everything the same way I had heard him speak until now. Reciting the vows felt like a necessary chore.

“You may kiss the bride now.”

I rigorously kept my eyes on the knot of his tie as he leaned in and placed a peck on my lips. Just a light peck and even that had my heart leaping. I pressed my lips together as if I could feel the mere trace of his lips still lingering there. The priest announced us, man and wife before we received congratulations from everyone around us. Vito and Marco stood beside Dino, while Riccardo and Aldo stood beside me. But unlike Vito, they weren’t whispering things in my ear and keeping me company. To stand there was an assignment for them as well.

People came and I heard curses disguised as blessings. I couldn’t even look anyone in the eyes, everyone I looked at was looking at Dino and not to forget this dress and my bareness with it. My shoulder blades were starting to ache with how much I was working them out and my neck was starting to debilitate with how much I was looking behind me, inspecting if anyone was glimpsing at my back. But suddenly, as the last guest, Dino's uncle slipped before us.

“Gia, now that you are married to Dino, you are a family and your well-being will be considered before all. Hope you have a lovely married life,” he said and nodded.

“The sweetest marriage blessing ever. Tell me uncle, how many hours did it take for you to come up with those utterly informal words,” Vittorio snickered, but ignoring him, he turned to Dino and informed him that the car to take us back home for the reception was ready. Just as he did, two hands came around my waist. One of Dino’s and the other of Riccardo’s. I sank my head, so, I didn’t know what passed between them, but I knew whose hand stayed around me. Dino ushered us both outside and toward our car. A limousine.

“Alright man, take care you drive well. No harm to my brother and his sweet wife,” Vittorio shook hands with the driver, who nodded.

“No worries, sir. This won’t be the first time I’m driving this car.”

“You sure you are experienced?” Vito was jesting with him. “Because I don’t want my brother harmed,” he said, and I smiled at his mock lookout for Dino. The boss of the Famiglia Prescelta wasn’t easy to kill.

“Not a scratch, sir.”

“You can tell me because I would rather drive them myself than trust them with an immature.”

The driver smiled, “the car knows me, sir. Hasn’t seen anyone since I got its hold.” Vito patted the driver's back and I finally rested my back against the seat. Dino got in after me and when the door closed, I dug my nails into my palms. He started adjusting the hem of my dress and I pulled it to me even more, fearing it was bothering him. The driver slid in next and adjusting his seat, he roared the engine to life. Dino pulled up the wall, separating us from the driver, and pulled out his phone instead.

“We might have a problem.” His words caught my attention. “I don’t know what it is, but be alert and get inside your cars. Also, drive them yourself,” he said on the phone before replacing it with his gun. Quickly and swiftly he moved. My breath hitched when he caged me between his arms only to roll over to the other end of the seat, the one against the wall separating us from the driver. I wasn’t getting any good feelings from this. As if feeling my distress, Dino looked at me suddenly and shook his head slightly, telling me that I shouldn’t worry. But how could I not? He had a gun in his hand and we were sitting in a moving car.

Dino pressed the button again and pointed his gun at the man just as the wall went down. “Who are you?”

“Sir—” The man pressed the brakes.

“Who are you?” Dino asked again and, as if something snapped in the man, he moved fast, but Dino was faster. He pressed his gun right below the ear of the driver. But now it was even clear to me that this man was bad news.

“f**k off!” No more doubts.

“If you tell me now who sent you, I’ll kill you right now, just one bullet and it'll hit you before you could feel the pain. But if you don’t, I’ll get it out another way.” He would torture him. I knew.

“You are gonna kill me anyway.”

“That goes without saying. But you haven’t caused me any harm yet, so you still get to choose. Now speak.” When the driver hesitated, I saw Dino’s finger twitch against the trigger. I didn’t think he would say his Boss’s name. Loyalty was above everything for these men. Suddenly, two more cars came around us and I saw Vito armed in one of them. At least we weren’t alone. But what if there were any more men? “My men are a second away from dragging you away and getting the answers out of you.”

“I’ll tell.” My ears strained. “Pavel Volkov is my Boss. He sent me.”

“Are there any more men?”

“No, he wanted to be discreet.”

“And yet he failed,” Dino said before pressing the trigger. Blood splashed on his face and he closed his eyes for a second before calmly turning away from the now-dead man. “Everything is okay now.” No, it wasn’t. He couldn’t be away from the blood even on the day of his marriage, but then again, today was just another day for him. Dino slid out of the car then and I didn’t know what to do.

“You okay there, Gia?” Riccardo slid in instead and my eyes moved to Dino instantly. Riccardo tsked, looking at the man in the front seat. “And it only gets worse. Did you think marrying Dino would bring you peace?” He pulled me in a hug. “It’d only bring you more anxiety, Gia. Enemies will come after you to get to him. And Dino will protect you, sure, but not because he loves you,” he said, looking down at me. “He’d do it because he will be expected to. Because if the enemies got you, people will question his capability to take care of the empire. But me, Gia? I have always protected you because I wanted to. Not because of what people expected from me but because I wanted to.” I bit my tongue halting the tears at bay. “And you must always remember that, huh?” The front door opened and I saw Vito dragging the body out.

“You doing okay back there?” He asked, not really looking at me, but I answered and formed a distance between Riccardo and me. Good thing because Dino opened the door just then, silently motioning Riccardo to go. I was grateful, but then he chose to sit beside me. The day was being a full rollercoaster. One second I'd feel my heart deflate all the stress and another second would overwhelm it with the abrupt chaos.

“There are no other men in the area and Vito is taking care of the body. Nothing to worry about now.” I nodded. “I’m going to be driving. Do you want to switch seats or would you be fine at the back?”

“What do you want?”

“I want you to be comfortable.” I didn’t believe that, but he didn’t seem like he would lie about something so small. Why would he anyway? What would he get pretending to care about me? To feel the need of assuring me that everything was alright? But I also refused to believe that he was better than any man I had ever known.

“I’ll stay here if that’s not a problem.” He turned away, nodded to the others and sat in the front after exchanging a few words with his brother. Dino started the car and my curiosity had me shifting to the other end, where I could see Dino through the space of the dividing wall in the car. I tucked one knee on the seat and sat partially facing him. “How did you know he was lying?”

Dino leaned back a little, and for a moment I thought he would be bothered. “He adjusted his seat. Even when the car hadn’t seen another driver since him,” he said, skimming his eyes all over my face, as if only half interested in answering me or driving the car.

“Oh,” I barely whispered, but his eyes stopped there, and hit my gaze up again. His determined gaze was making me nervous but he finally turned away and focused back on the road. It’d be a shame if we died in a car accident after catching our killer who gave himself away by shifting the seat. I didn't even notice that.

“Do you want to ask something?” He suddenly asked and I shook my head before shaking it again at my dumbness. He couldn’t see me.

“No.”

“Is there still some blood on my face?”

“No.” He nodded. “Why?”

“You were looking,” he said and almost buried my head in my lap. Goddess! ‘Looking’ was him putting it politely. I was staring at him. So, the rest of the ride, I didn’t even dare another look at Dino and used all my courage to not slide away to the other side, hiding from him like the coward I knew I was. I didn’t want Dino to have the same impression of me.