BRIDE

Veronica
“What did you do with the ring?” I asked when we got into the car. “Your finger-”
“It’ll heal.”
“Why did you do that? Why would you?”
“I thought it would be a constant reminder of you,” he said with a smile not meant to be one at all.
“I don’t understand you.”
“What do you have with my brother?”
“Nothing. Are you jealous?”
“Not jealous. Remember, truth. I want truth, always.”
“Well, he’s not crazy. That’s one thing we have, I guess.”
“He’s a different kind of crazy. I’m warning you now to be careful with him. You don’t know my brother.”
“And I already like him better than you.”
“Isn’t that a shame for you, then.”
Silence.
I pulled the pins holding the veil on my head off and folded it on my lap. I glanced out the tinted windows, watching as Robyn and my grandfather got into another sedan. Robyn looked over at our car and waved. I waved back, watching as we drove away that they followed.
Robyn had called me in a panic just days ago. She’d told me Grandfather wouldn’t bring her to the wedding. Something had changed his mind. I wondered what.
Dinner would be catered at the house tonight, and I understood that the party at the reception would be larger than those gathered at the church. But I was surprised to find over a dozen cars parked at the house upon our arrival.
“Who are all these people?”
“Cousins. Business associates. Local people from the farms nearby. People I need to see, now that I’m back.”
“Oh.” I looked into the brightly lit house, saw people moving inside. The pool area and back veranda were lit by candles and lanterns. As Stefan helped me climb out of the car, I could see tables set for dinner with pretty white tablecloths and ornate centerpieces. Black lilies. Like my bouquet. That was the only piece I’d had a say in, and I was determined to make my mark. Let him know how I saw this unholy union.
“I arranged for your sister to stay with us for a few days,” Stefan said out of the blue.
“What?”
“Your sister. I know you want to spend time with her.”
“But my grandfather-”
“Your grandfather is welcome to leave whenever the hell he wants. She’s staying. I arranged it,” he said, cutting me off. “I told you I wouldn’t be a beast to you.”
“Why?”
“Why won’t I be a beast?”
“Why would you do that for me?”
“Just say thank you,” he said as we rounded the corner. All heads turned to us.
“Thank you.”
I didn’t have a chance to say more because we were swept up by the crowd, too many people I didn’t know coming to us, congratulating us in Italian, kissing my cheek, handing us envelopes I hadn’t expected. As if this were a real wedding.
Stefan smiled beside me, talking to people, hugging some, shaking hands with others. He seemed relaxed, more relaxed than I’d ever seen him. And he never took his hand from my back, keeping me close to him, introducing me to too many people, none of whom I’d remember.
My sister and grandfather had arrived. Stephen stood with Robyn. Grandfather hovered behind her like a dark shadow. I shuddered at the image but was distracted when I was handed a champagne glass and someone made a toast.
I looked at Stefan, who seemed to watch me through it all, as if one eye were constantly on me.
“Drink,” he said.
I did.
An extravagant dinner followed, only breaking up when coffee was served. Stefan and I greeted more guests who had come after the dinner. An SUV with tinted windows, including the windshield, driving onto the property caught my eye. Stefan stiffened beside me. When three men in suits descended, I turned to ask him who they were.
“Go inside with your sister,” he said, barely looking at me. Dismissing me even.
“Stefan-”
“Go.”
He nodded to Eric, giving him an order in Italian. Eric glanced at me with a tight smile.
“Take your sister and go inside, Veronica. I have to take care of some business.”
I didn’t even have time to ask a question before he walked away to greet the men. I went to my sister, feeling my grandfather’s eyes on me but unable to look at him.
“Robyn,” I said, drawing her away and into the house. “Stefan arranged for you to stay here for a few days.”
“I know. Grandfather told me he agreed. Said it was your wedding gift.”
“I’m so glad.”
“Me too. You look really beautiful by the way. You make a really good-looking couple.”
“Don’t say that.”
“You’ll make beautiful babies too.”
“It will never come to that, I swear,” I said and led her to the living room, where she immediately went to the piano.
“You never know,” she taunted, letting her fingers run over a few keys.
“Oh, I know.”
She turned to me and looked me over from head to toe.
“Really, you’re so beautiful right now.”
“Thanks.”
“He can’t take his eyes off you either,” she said, nodding behind me.
I turned to see Stefan’s dark gaze on me even as he headed toward his study. The men who’d approached as he’d sent me away followed him, and I didn’t miss the way they scrutinized me and knew Stefan didn’t either.
It was another half hour before Stefan’s door opened again. Robyn sat playing the piano with a group collected around her to listen. I watched the men leave, their faces tight. Stefan followed close behind, and I didn’t miss how he held his hands fisted at his sides. I watched them walk out the front door, noticed the quiet murmur of whispers and sideway glances and wondered who they were. I would have asked Stephen, but Stefan came to me then, taking me by the arm and giving me an elaborate smile and bow that called the attention of every man and woman in the place.
“Time for me to take my bride to bed,” he said to the delight of all present. All but me. When he met my gaze, though, I saw the shadow in his eyes. This casual attitude, it was a front. Something had happened with those men.
I let him lead me toward the stairs. I glanced back and saw Robyn and Stephen watching, concern in her eyes, a warning in his, a warning to his brother. One I knew Stefan would not heed.
Up we went, Stefan and I. Up past my bedroom, disappearing down the hall to the last room, the one with large double doors which he opened then stood back and gestured for me to enter.
Our gazes locked, and although I knew I had no choice, that neither of us did, I knew stepping into his bedroom would change everything for us. I didn’t even know what I wanted anymore. What I didn’t want. It was too much to make sense of. Too much to take in.
And so when he called my name, drawing me back to the present, I took that step, and he followed. The door closed behind us, and the lock clicked, slipping into place, and I turned to him to begin our dance.