Luca stood at the alter in front of 500 friends and family. Well his father's friends and family. At this point it finally felt real, he was actually going to get married to someone he never met. His palms started to feel sweaty and his clothes felt like they were too tight. He wanted to look anywhere other than the doors in the back of the church. He looked at his father who smiled back him. His smile made him feel even more uncomfortable so he looked at the priest. His smile was forced, he didn't want to do this either but his father was making him. That also made him uncomfortable that his father could threaten a priest. He looked back into the crowd focusing on the one side.
On that side it looked more like a funeral. Five boys and two girls sat in the front. Luca assumed that was the rest of her siblings, his father said she came from a big family. On either side of them were Frankie and Leo Valentina. Twins who ruled the most powerful Crime Family in the United States. With the way they talked with the kids between them he could only assume they were related.
Suddenly it all made sense as to why this was so important to his father. By marrying into this family, the Mazzanti family would be gaining untouchable alies. Profits were bound to double if not triple.
However, when Luca looked at the twins all he could see is hatred in their eyes. They were not happy about this either. The Valentina's were notorious for their love of family, it doesn't make sense that they would sell one of them for a debt. This confused Luca even more, but before he could even think about it the back doors swung open.
....
Alessandra tried to level her breathing as much as possible. She knew it would upset her brothers even more if they could see her upset. She swallowed the breath she didn't know she was holding in and took a step over the threshold.
The aisle seemed much too short for this big church, and before she knew it she was halfway there. The closer she got she was able to see the details in her groom's face. She could tell by the dark look in his eyes that he didn't want this either, so why is he going through with it? Didn't he get a say? The contract never stated anyone in particular to marry, just someone in the Mazzanti family. She assumed it would be some low man on the totem pole. However, the Boss was standing right beside him which meant that the person she was marrying could have only been someone important. A moment of fear passed on her face as she realized who this must be, and she was happy that her veil covered the truth from everyone. She knew this family. She knew what they were capable of, and while her family was powerful because of their connections and the relationships they built, this one was powerful because of the fear they put in people. Being so closely related to one made her feel disgusting.
"Who here gives this bride away?" Alessandra almost didn't hear her brothers saying "I Do" she was too busy focused on the hell her life is about to become. The Mazzanti son was known to be a player and had quite a few drunken and belligerent charges. Alessandra figured it be safe to bet he would also have a few sexual harassment charges if it wasn't for his status.
She kissed both her brothers in the cheek before she let them go. Leon held onto her arm giving her one last chance to run away, but he knew she was never one to go back on her word.
Her and her soon to be husband were having a traditional wedding, so they both kneeled in front of the priest, not looking at each other. Honestly, she wouldn't have been able to tell you the promises she vowed to keep. All she could hear was her heartbeat in between her ears, sounding like it was ready to explode.
Before she knew what had happened a ring was put on her finger and she placed one her new husband's. She held her breath as he went to lift her veil. Was he really going to kiss her, for the first time, in front of all these people?
He seemed to have noticed the worry in her face because he hesitating in kissing her. Maybe he knew as little about her as she knew about him? Maybe he was sympathic to the situation? Either way it only lasted long enough for them to have noticed because in a second his lips were on her. It was a kiss between strangers merely because they had to. It was over as soon as it happened.
Her husband grabbed her hand and began to walk her back down the aisle. His skin was rough against hers, like he had done hard labor all his life. She smiled at the thought, she knew he didn't work, she has probably worked more than him and yet her skin was still soft and creamy. Being this close to him made her heart race again. She didn't like being this close to him, she knew what he was capable of, but it isn't like she could run away from him, they were legally bound together.