A Bond by Marriage

Chapter 4

Gia's POV-



My marriage with Dino was fixed to take place a few days later. And by few, I really meant very few. With less time came a lot of anxiety which made it harder to fully comprehend that I was in fact getting married. Invites were to be sent 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 beautiful chaos with all things off-white and splendid. 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 with how long she had been smiling. It didn’t go unnoticed that the dresses weren’t white. I sighed before someone knocked against my already opened door and I found Riccardo there with an eerie 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 me. “Come here, Gia.”

He kept me right beside him, touching and rubbing the material of each dress and soon we were going from one row to another until finally we were well hidden, among the dresses. 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 heard her footsteps following us. 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?”

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 recognized his disguised dare and complied. Strangely it didn’t feel as confining, probably 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.

.

Since the day Dino slid the ring on my finger, I had been on full alert. It was safe to say these few days felt like a ticking bomb. I could see the craziness in Riccardo’s 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– no, I had to survive these last few days. For once, I was hopeful for a life where I’d be allowed to live in the shadows peacefully. A life where I could be invisible, go unnoticed and just live.

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 female workers almost the entire day under the guise of learning the ways of a married woman in our world. I followed them everywhere they went cleaning and I knew they were just as shocked. I had gotten facials, scrubs, manicures, pedicures, and all sorts of things that could possibly keep me busy and surrounded by people. But just as the last 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 he were only realising how odd it was. Him and I– talking.

“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 comfort 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. His scrunched up face did not have the desired effect. If anything, it made him look ridiculous.

“And why should he?” Vito said, walking past me before plopping onto Marco’s bed.

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

“Stop f*****g whining!” Vito exclaimed.

“Language, Vito.” It was no use reminding him but it couldn’t hurt to try.

“Oh for f**k’s sake! He is twelve already and—”

“Look who is whining now?!” Marco threw a pillow at Vito which flew in my direction before I caught it.

“—shut up, 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 your tantrums. I’ll leave. I’m only here to remind you that if you are not ready on time tomorrow, I will drag you out in whatever state I find you.” And the little s**t narrowed his eyes at me.

“Better get ready on time, or you’ll attend your brother’s wedding in your birthday suit,” 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 knew I was supposed to talk to him nicely, but Marco didn’t understand ‘nice’. Besides, I wasn’t trained in niceties and an order got the work done faster.

“C’mon buddy, it’s not everyday your brother gets married and I’m not getting married ever,” Vito said, patting his shoulder before kissing his head. Marco fell on his bed and rolled to his stomach before tucking his head under the pillow. Just as we turned to leave, a single finger unfurled from the fist clutching the sheets. It was a deliberate move. The Bastard was flipping us off. Vito chuckled and I shook my head, walking out of His Highness’ room.

“You need to stop ordering him, you know.” Vito was right. “He is just gonna dislike you more and he is growing up— fast must I say— and I know a rebel when I see one.”

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

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

“And how did that fare for you?”

“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.”

“And if he did, he would listen the first time I asked him to do anything.” I countered. “Even if he does fear me, is there any other way to get my way with him?” I raised my eyebrows at him.

“I don’t know. You are older and smarter. You are the Capo dei Capi, are you not?” He chaffed. “Figure it out.” With that, he walked away.

I knew he was right. I had to be careful with Marco. He was my responsibility officially now. His actions would reflect on me and if he f***s up, I’d be held accountable. I had to find a way to bring him around eventually. I couldn’t let my brother, my blood go against me. I couldn’t lose him after finally getting him where he belonged.