Lorenzo watched Celeste sign her name on the marriage certificate eagerly. When she was done she turned to him with the gold pen, a proud smile on her face.
He regarded her smile with a smirk then with utmost care he signed his name while blocking out her view with his broad back.
With the signing done, the new couple moved to take pictures with other members of the family. Rosa, Isabella and Celeste take turns making cute poses while teasing each other.
Lorenzo leaned against a pillar watching them until he received an urgent signal from one of his men and he carefully moved away from the buzzing crowd.
Carlo one of his men walks up to him, then carefully slips a small paper into his hands. Lorenzo carefully opened it and saw that it was from Bruno.
It said that Raffaele was dead and that Uncle Pietro had been the one behind the poisoning of the former mafia Boss and the supply of poison that destroyed the Martino farms and killed the two farmers.
Lorenzo could feel his temper rise, He was going to make Uncle Pietro beg for death by the time he was done.
He was on the verge of giving orders when his gaze dropped to the last line and his blood ran cold, fear piercing into every cell in his being.
'THERE IS AN ACTIVE SHOOTER IN THE CHURCH'
Lorenzo's head jerked up and he quickly scanned the area. At the top of the huge tower adjacent to the church building, he saw something glint in the sunlight, a long-range sniper if he wasn't mistaken. There was someone there aiming at the crowd.
"Luca!" He barked sharply, keeping his eye on the tower.
Luca who had been stopping two little boys from fighting quickly recognized the urgency in that call and he moved swiftly.
"Yes Boss" he replied, coming to stand by Lorenzo who kept his eyes on the tower. He had no idea why the shooter had not fired but now wasn't the time to stand around speculating.
"There is a shooter on the tower, I want you to escort my wife and the others out of here immediately"
"On it, sir" Luca said briskly before moving to go.
"Luca..." Lorenzo called, and Luca turned waiting for more orders.
"If anything happens to her..." Lorenzo said coldly leaving the threat hanging in the air and Luca nodded before moving.
Lorenzo left immediately with his men following him. He figured that the shooter was after him and intended to draw him out.
Luca walked over to the crowd, he quickly searched for Aunt Amelita. She was the only one he knew who would be able to get everyone to leave with an order.
He sighted her taking pictures with another woman who looked like the older version of the bride and he assumed that she must be the mother of the bride.
"Aunt Amelita" he called as he approached. Aunt Amelita glanced up with a frown, displeased by the interruption.
"What is it, Alfredo?" She asked
"Could I have a moment with you? It's urgent" he implored.
She narrowed her eyes at him then excused herself. When she got closer, Luca walked away from the crowd to a less crowded spot.
"We're under attack and need to evacuate immediately"
"Where is Lorenzo?"
"He left to handle it, he said I should get everyone home safely and I need you to order everyone to move"
"Leave it to me then, get the cars ready I don't want our new relatives afraid of us," Aunt Amelita said dismissing Luca with a wave.
Within minutes she had everyone inside their various cars and on their way. But someone was missing, her husband Pietro was nowhere to be seen.
She calls Luca's attention to it immediately and Luca promises to send men to search for him after taking Celeste home and making sure she is safe.
At that, Aunt Amelita relaxed a bit but she kept having a feeling that her husband had something to the with the planned attack. Was it a distraction so he could escape?
They finally arrive at the Grand house and Aunt Amelita sets about getting everyone to settle in without arousing suspicions that they might be in danger.
Luca sends some of his men to chase after Uncle Pietro before his trail runs cold.
Aunt Amelita started handling the reception to prevent others from suspecting anything, while she waited for Lorenzo to get back.
Celeste went back to her room to change into the splendid simple white dress she had picked so she could share her first dance with her husband. She couldn't wait to see the look on his face when he saw her.
Would it be the same as when he lifted her veil?
She sighed happily, collapsing on her bed in a sea of white, lace and ruffles.
"You've got to be the most unladylike bride I've ever seen" Isabella scoffed,
Celeste sat immediately and crossed her eyes at her in mockery and Isabella laughed.
" Save that look for your husband tonight"
Celeste frowned at her not understanding her words. Isabella grinned and wiggled her eyebrows knowingly.
Celeste quickly caught on and turned beet red.
"You're a retired slut you know that" she hissed, fanning her flaming face as her husband's face kept occupying her thoughts.
"Say whatever you want, but I know you're thinking about him right now...fucking you till your eyes cross," Isabella said unapologetically.
Celeste buried her face in her pillow mumbling about how Isabella had the dirtiest mouth she had ever seen.
Isabella burst into laughter at Celeste's dramatics, while carefully laying her new dress against the comfy sofa.
"Hey you need to change your husband will be here soon and the reception starts...remember there are important dignitaries here" Isabella warned.
Celeste quickly sat up, and with Isabella's help they took off the dress. She freshened up and got into her second dress.
Isabella helped her style her hair, and since Celeste had opted for a bare face rather than a face of makeup, no artist was needed.
She carefully wore her jewelry and admired her look.
"What do you think?" She asked, eyes shining with excitement.
Isabella beamed at her with pride.
"My best friend is the most beautiful bride to ever exist", she said hugging Celeste..