Married To The Mafia

11. What The Hell?

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|| JOANNE LAKE ||

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I lay on the bed taking pictures as Olivia, Daniella and Anika helped Stella get ready.

Ava was sitting on my tummy looking like a doll. She and I were in our pajamas while everyone else were dressed.

There was three hours to the wedding and Anika didn't want Ava to change early and dirty the clothes. And Ava threw a tantrum so I pacified her by promising to stay in my pajamas too.

She was wearing the cutest unicorn onesie and I was in an over-sized t-shirt.

The girls were in their bridesmaid dresses and Stella? She looked.. I can't find the words... In her gorgeous wedding dress.

My friend, Kavitha Tuli, had made the most beautiful of wedding dresses out there.

If I ever got married, she was making my dress.

"I am so nervous!!" Stella squealed with excitement and we all laughed.

"All done!" Olivia exclaimed after the last touch up. I got off the bed with Ava and we all stared at her in awe.

Her hair was left out in waves. Her make up was on point. And the dress was ethereal. It was so freaking beautiful.

She was so freaking beautiful.

The idea of her walking down the aisle was so beautiful.

Wait.

Oh f**k.

No.

I dashed out of the room. "I will be back before the wedding!" I yelled.

"Jo???" Olivia ran after me. "What's going on?"

I quickly went into the room we were staying at and grabbed my car keys and wallet.

"Hey, where are you going?" She asked and then paused. "Did you find something out? Proof against these people?"

"No. I will be just back!"

"Jo, wait!" She yelled as I reached the door.

I turned to her and said in a hurry, "I said I will be right back! You will understand everything then, Livy!"

"Not that you idiot." She placed her hands on her hips. "Wear pants and sandals."

I looked down.

Oh.

Oops.

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|| OLIVIA SMITH ||

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"Where's she?" Stella was at the verge of crying. The wedding was in ten minutes and Joanne wasn't back yet.

"She will be here soon." I promised though I had no freaking idea where that i***t was. She had left her phone in Stella's room and went.

All of us were standing behind the door that led to the backyard.

I peeked out through the curtains and was stunned by the arrangements.

Backyard wedding they said.

Private affair they said.

Only a few close people they said.

Then what the heck was this?

The place look ethereal.

It looked straight out of a fairytale.

I guess it was expected. After all, they were Kings, the modern royalty. This must look like a peasant wedding to them.

I turned around to see Ava tugging at the ribbon on my dress.

Did I mention she looked absolutely stunning in her white and cream flower girl dress?

I knelt down to her level.

"Will you dress up like Aunt Stella one day?" She asked.

I smiled thinking about my Zach.

"Someday I guess." I replied.

"Can I be your flower girl then?" She asked shyly.

Awww. I pouted and pinched her cheeks.

"Of course you can." I hugged her.

I wished to get married one day too. I wanted a very simple church wedding with only my closest family and friends, my dad walking down the aisle with me and handing me over to Zach. Ahh.

Oh.

Jesus Christ!

I turned to the three girls.

"We forgot something!" I exclaimed, feeling super stupid for not realizing this.

"What?" Stella was super tensed.

"Who's gonna walk you down the aisle?" I asked.

The three women gasped.

Uh oh.

"Oh my god!" Stella clutched her head. "Why is this happening?"

"Stella relax." Anika said. "I walked down the aisle by myself. It's fine. You can do it."

"Well she doesn't have to."

We all turned around.

My hand went to cover my lips as I gasped, relief washing through me.

Stella was in tears.

"Hey I spent two hours on your face. Don't ruin it." I playfully glared at her.

Stella wiped her face and smiled gratefully.

Joanne stood there with a grin on her face. She was wearing a suit.

And she looked gorgeous with her shoulder level brunette waves parted in the middle and her signature bright red lipstick.

"Jo!!" Stella squealed as she hugged her.

This was so wholesome.

"Group hug!!" Daniella squealed and we all hugged.

"It's time." Reema poked her head in.

Okay. Okay.

We all fixed our clothes, hair and everything and stood in position.

The double door opened and Ava walked up front, throwing the petals and we walked ahead.

There were at least a hundred people in there. And they all looked.. dangerous. I had an uneasy feeling settling in the pit of my stomach. And I started sweating.

Jesus, why do I feel like this all of a sudden?

The Kings were bad people. But I hope Anthony will keep Stella safe.

I sighed as I took my position.

Joanne handed Stella to Anthony and came and stood before me.

"You are so sweet." I whispered.

"Then why do I feel like I just presented my best friend on a silver platter for s*******r?" She said under her breath, gesturing to the wedding guests.

"They radiate a dangerous aura, don't they?" I said.

"I feel so trapped and suffocated right now."

I nodded, looking up. Leon gave me a smile which I returned. My eyes scanned the men.

Gregory was watching Anika and Ava and not the couple. He had an expression of longing on his face. Why was their relationship so complicated?

It was obvious he loved her. Maybe he didn't know how to express it? Maybe he didn't know himself that he was in love with her? But they had been married for four years. Why didn't he know?

I turned to Xander and he was smirking. Huh?

I realized he was smirking at Joanne. They have some bloody game going on.

I turned my head to the side and realized that Daniella was intently watching Xander, willing him to look at her. But Joanne had his whole attention.

But I doubt it was some positive feeling. If things went wrong, these two wouldn't hesitate to rip each other's heads off.

I shook off all my thoughts and just focused on the wedding.

They were in bliss and unaware of all the tension.

They said their vows and the priest finally said,

"I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride."

I ducked pulling Joanne down with me at the sudden gunshot.

"What the hell?" She screeched and we both looked up to see a commotion.

"Leon!!!"

I turned my head to find him on the ground, blood oozing from his thigh. Thank god he wasn't hurt anywhere near vital organs.

And then all of a sudden, there were too much gunshots. And I was shocked when I saw everyone taking guns out, even Daniella and Rubina.

"Olivia! Jo! Quick!!" Anika called to us.

She had a crying Ava in one hand and was holding a stunned Stella's hand.

We quickly followed her as she ran into the house, Anthony right behind us carrying an injured Leon.

We were taken to the basement, which looked like an infirmary. What the hell?

Anthony didn't say anything as he ran back up, closing the door behind him.

"What's happening?" Stella cried.

"Nothing to worry about, sis in law." Leon said as Anika quickly got out a few medical tools and started working on Leon's wound.

Ava was crying, hugging her legs so I lifted her up and positioned her around the hip. "It's okay baby. Everything's okay." I shushed her while she rested her head on my shoulder.

"Care to explain what the hell is going on?" Stella asked, sounding strong and hella mad.

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