THE WEDDING DAY
Safe House, Bedroom
Aria woke without an alarm.
Her eyes opened to gray morning light filtering through the curtains. For a moment, she lay very still, trying to understand why she was awake. Her body knew something her conscious mind was still catching up to.
Today was her wedding day.
The thought settled into her chest like something physical. Something that had weight and couldn’t be dismissed or reasoned away. She was getting married today. In approximately eight hours, she would be standing in a white dress saying vows to Dante Russo in front of people who mattered.
The reality of it made her throat tight.
Dante was still sleeping beside her. His arm was across her waist, his breathing deep and even. She could feel the rise and fall of his chest against her bac
