9

Gianna
After the dance with my brother, I wanted nothing more than to find a quiet corner to grab myself, but Alessio’s father limped toward me.
I turned a smile to him as my brother slipped away after an abrupt nod. Mr. Moretti held out his hand.
“Will you give this old man the honor of dancing with the bride?”
“Certainly, Mr. Moretti,” I said with a little bow.
“Mansueto, please. We are family now.” I nodded and took his hand, wondering how that would work with his cane. He smiled wistfully.
“We’ll have to dance somewhere, if that’s all right with you, young lady.” Again, I nodded and moved a little closer. She handed her cane to a man I did not know and lightly touched my back. Then we began to sway to the rhythm of the music.
“You are very quiet. From what I hear, you’re not a quiet girl.”
My cheeks grew hot, wondering who had given him that information. Christian? Definitely not my mother.
Mansueto’s eyes were kind, but like his son, his reputation was chilling.
“My son’s reputation makes me proud,” he began as if he could read my mind, which blew my mind.
“I know he will govern Philadelphia without any problems, even once I’m gone. But it’s a reputation that could upset a young woman, especially one as young as you.”
I didn’t know what to say. I felt I had to contradict him because tradition dictated that I should pretend not to be upset by my husband, but that would be a lie, and, unfortunately, I was a very bad liar, much to Mother’s chagrin.
“My wife and I raised my son to respect women, and from what I know, he does.”
From what I knew, bets on him killing his wife in rampant rage were winning.
He didn’t look like someone who would lose control like that, but he had earned a reputation as one of the cruelest leaders in our circles for a reason, and Christian’s words had only confirmed my fears. “Thank you for telling me,” I said, because I had to say something.
I did not feel consoled. The song ended and we stopped swaying. Faro was standing with his last dance partner to my left. I met his gaze, thinking that, as best man and counselor, he would like a dance.
He shook his head with an apologetic smile.
“If I ever tire of life, I will ask for that dance.” He turned and asked another woman. Stunned, I stared at Mansueto. He laughed.
Come on, let’s go back to the table.”
“What was that?”
I asked as I followed his slow progress toward the table where Alessio was still conversing with Luca as if it were a business meeting and not our wedding.
“My son is a bit territorial, I’m afraid. You can dance with the family, but please refrain from approaching other men.
I would hate to see a conflict at your wedding.” I waited for his laugh, something to indicate that he was joking. He didn’t. I stopped and so did he.
“I think I’ll freshen up.” He nodded, but his expression showed that he knew I wanted to run away. With a small smile, I turned on my heels and hurried out of the ballroom.
I hurried past the bathrooms and turned the corner into a deserted hallway, where I leaned against the wall and slowly sank down. My dress rolled around me like a pure white bubble.
It was undignified, and if someone had found me, it would have been a scandal for which Mother would never have forgiven me.
I couldn’t take care of myself. This was my life.
I wasn’t sure how long I sat like that, considering my few options, when footsteps echoed down the hallway.
With my dress, I didn’t have a chance to get up quickly, so I didn’t bother. Mia turned the corner and, seeing me, headed toward me with a worried expression. I was surprised when she slumped beside me in her elegant long dress and protruding belly.
“Alessio is a difficult man, Gianna. I won’t lie.” I giggled. Difficult I could face. It was the character traits beyond difficulty that worried me.
Alessio
Throughout the evening I kept an eye on my wife.
She was uncomfortable with my closeness. Her trembling during our dance had made that clear. That reaction did not bode well for tonight. After dancing with my father, Gianna hurriedly left the room and Dad approached me.
“Would you excuse us for a moment, Luca? I need to have a word with my son.”
“I’ll dance with Aria.” Luca gave us a dry nod before heading toward his wife.
“What is it?”
“Your girlfriend is terrified. She’s trying to play it cool, as she’s been taught, but I can see it in her eyes.” My gaze landed on the door through which Gianna had disappeared.
“Don’t call her my girlfriend, Father. It makes me feel even older.” Father chuckled. “Maybe it’s good that you do.
That you remember that you were given a wife who was a girl not so long ago, that you have to be good to her.”
I frowned. “I’m not going to not be good to her.” Being good to her would be difficult, no doubt. “Maybe you should tell her, talk to her before tonight. It would be wise to banish some of her fears in advance.”
My mouth tightened.
“Father, I’m not going to talk about my wedding night with you.” Father smiled. “I thank you for that. Go talk to her, Alessio. Do your old man this small favor.”
“When she comes back, I’ll talk to her quickly.” “Cruelty has a place, Alessio. That’s not what marriage is about.” I had had enough. “Do you want to have another talk about Gaia? Today?”
“My concern is that you forget that Gianna is not Gaia.”
“You seem to know my wife better than I do.” I left, although it was disrespectful, but my father was no longer Underboss. I did not need his guidance in this regard, nor in my marriage. Mia gave me a stern look from across the room and slipped out as well. Gianna had been gone for a while….
Sighing, I headed toward my young bride. I headed for the bathroom, then followed the sound of low female voices around another corner. I stopped.
Mia and Gianna were sitting on the floor, their expensive dresses spread around them. Seeing them next to each other, Gianna’s age came back into focus.
My sister was younger than me, but she still looked much older than my wife. It was a thought-provoking realization.
The moment Gianna saw me, tension spread in her narrow shoulders. I approached in large strides.
“Let me talk to my wife,” I ordered Mia. She cast a glance between Gianna and me before extending her hand. I helped her to her feet.
“Be a husband, not a mobster for once, how about that?” she whispered under her breath. I ignored her. Once around the corner, I held out my hand to her.