Twisted Hearts by Cora Reilly

Our house had become horribly empty and quiet. I even missed Nonna’s disapproving cluck. I shoved the thought aside before grief could overwhelm me again. Four weeks had passed since their death, but sometimes it still felt like yesterday. Carlotta was still in the hospital after her surgery, but she was recovering quickly and would most likely be able to attend the wedding at the end of August.

It was still strange thinking that I’d really marry Savio in four weeks. For a while, I hadn’t been sure that would happen at all. Toni picked Mom and me up in her car because neither of us had a license. Now that Dad wasn’t there anymore, Mom had decided to learn how to drive, but so far, she’d been busy taking care of Carlotta. I, too, would start driving lessons after my wedding. There was still too much to do until then. Not to mention that I already had a license, thanks to my affiliation to a certain Falcone clan. No police officer in their right mind would give me a ticket once my last name was Falcone, but I still wanted to actually learn how to steer a car.

When Toni, Mom, and I stepped into the most expensive bridal store of Las Vegas, my heart seemed to be torn in two. On the one hand, I was excited to choose my wedding dress, something I’d dreamed of since I was a little girl, on the other hand, I felt horrible every time I saw Mom’s heartbroken expression. She tried to hide it but occasionally it broke through.

I chose a few dresses to put on and walked into the changing room. Mom came inside with me. She touched my arm. “Gemma, I want you to be happy. I want you to enjoy this day. It’s a special day, and I’m so happy for you. Dad and Nonna would have wanted you to enjoy it, so we will, do you hear me?”

I swallowed and nodded. The first two dresses I tried on were beautiful and I felt like a princess in them, but it was the third dress that completely stole my breath. When I stepped out of the dressing room, I could see on Mom’s and Toni’s face that they felt the same way.

“That’s you,” Toni whispered.

Mom nodded, blowing her nose with a teary smile.

It was me, and it was the dress I’d marry Savio Falcone in.

I’d gotten ready for the wedding in our house. It still felt surreal that I’d spent my last night there. Tonight, I’d move into the Falcone mansion—share a wing and bed with Savio.

A car with a driver picked Toni and me up, and drove us to church. We entered through a back entrance and hid in one of the back rooms until it was time. A couple minutes later, Mom stepped in. She’d helped Kiara arrange the flowers in church.

“I’ll see if I can help with preparations,” Toni said, kissing my cheek before she dashed off.

Mom closed the door and took me in. “You’re so very beautiful, Gemma. Savio won’t know what hit him.”

Tears glistened in Mom’s eyes. She swallowed hard, fighting the tears and losing her battle. A few droplets trailed down her cheeks. She blew out air. “I promised myself not to cry before church.”

I took her hand. “We both know that was never going to happen.” My eyes, too, stung with unshed tears.

She nodded. “If your dad could have seen you like this…” Her words died away in a choked sob and a tear slid out of my eye. I fought for composure. Maybe the waterproof makeup would keep everything in place, but swollen eyes and a red nose were difficult to hide. “And your nonna.” Mom closed her eyes, her face scrunching up. She shook her head desperately, trying to hold back.

Wetness gathered on my cheeks and I pressed my lips together.

Since I was a little girl, I’d dreamed about my wedding day. Mom and Nonna would show me photos from their day, beaming and wistful. They’d both been beautiful brides, and they never stopped telling me that I, too, would be a gorgeous bride.

Nonna had always been so excited about witnessing my wedding, the first wedding from her grandchildren. Now she wouldn’t be there.

Neither would be Dad. My stomach hollowed out, a gaping abyss of grief and sadness.

“They are watching from above,” she finished firmly. “That should be our consolation today. This is a day of joy and we can’t allow grief to ruin it. I’ve waited too long to see my beautiful Gem walk down the aisle.”

Mom squeezed my hands tightly, staring into my eyes. “Be happy. That’s what both of them wanted for you.” She smiled. “Happiness and many beautiful children.”

“Mom!” I choked out, then laughed. “I’m only eighteen. I won’t give you any grandchildren anytime soon.”

Mom shrugged. “You never know. I was your age when I got pregnant with Diego.”

I didn’t mention that Savio and Dad were nothing alike. Savio definitely didn’t want any children yet, and to be honest, neither did I.

Mom regarded me in a strange way, stroking my cheek. “So grown up. I can’t believe my little girl is going to become a married woman today.” A hint of embarrassment crossed her features.

She cleared her throat. “Tonight will be a special night.”

My eyes grew wide, realizing the direction of Mom’s words. Heat crawled up my neck.

Mom’s cheeks, too, were stained pink. “I think,” she said with a small embarrassed laugh. “I’ll ask your future sisters-in-law to have this conversation with you.”

“Oh no, Mom, I don’t need a conversation.” Toni had explained everything I needed to know. After all, she’d been with Diego, but Mom didn’t know that, of course.

Mom shook her head and walked toward the door. “Every bride needs that kind of talk.” She slipped out before I could try to dissuade her. I stared at my reflection.

My tears had dried by now, and fortunately my eyes weren’t swollen. I hadn’t cried enough for that. I fumbled with the necklace. Nonna’s family heirloom.

A knock sounded, tearing me from this dangerous path of mourning.

“Gemma?” Kiara’s voice rang out. I cringed at the conversation that was about to happen.

Guests had started trickling in and began filling the pews. To see the day that a Falcone would marry in church…

I’d gathered with my brothers in the back, greeting everyone. Kiara and Serafina were busy instructing Greta and Nevio once more. Gemma’s mother hurried toward Kiara and Serafina and said something to them while throwing a quick glance in my direction. They nodded, then Mrs. Bazzoli walked away.

“What is it?” I asked.

Kiara blushed.

Serafina smiled coyly. “Mrs. Bazzoli asked us to have a talk with Gemma before you marry.” She paused for emphasis. “A girl’s talk.”

I shook my head. “Gemma doesn’t need a talk. I’ll show her everything she needs to know.”

Serafina huffed. “Of course, she needs a pep talk. Unlike you, she hasn’t slept with half of Vegas.”

I grinned. “I know. She’s all mine.”

Serafina exchanged a look with Kiara. “Why don’t you return to your groom duties and we’ll handle the girl stuff?”

“As I see it, giving her a good night is my groom duty.”

Fabiano exchanged a look with my brothers as he sauntered toward us with Aurora on his arms.

“I think you need to lower your expectations,” Serafina said.

“Don’t ruin tonight for me.”

Kiara rolled her eyes.

“I’m sure you’ll manage to do that on your own,” Serafina said with a laugh.

“Don’t ruin his night, for fuck’s sake. His fucking blue balls moodiness of the last few months is intolerable. I’ll turn fucking homicidal if he doesn’t get laid soon,” Remo snarled.

“You’re homicidal on the best of days, Remo, let’s be honest here,” Fabiano said, rocking Aurora whose face was red from her last screaming fit. It made her blonde hair and blue eyes stand out even more.

Kiara and Serafina slipped away before I could stop them.

“Damn,” I muttered.

“Maybe you should listen to Fina’s advice and lower your expectations. Maybe Gemma won’t sleep with you tonight, and even if she does, it probably won’t be the fireworks you expect,” Fabiano said.

“Speak for yourself,” I said. “Only because you didn’t give Leona any fireworks in your first night, doesn’t mean I’ll fail too.”

Fabiano rolled his eyes.

Remo smiled twistedly, his eyes following his wife.

“Any tips?” I said.

“Whiskey goes well with the taste of blood.”

I cocked an eyebrow. “Thanks.”

Fabiano shook his head, covered Aurora’s ear with his palm. “Aurora will be banned from visiting your mansion once she’s older.”

Diego came over with impressive bags under his eyes. We shook hands and he probably would have uttered another warning if a murmur hadn’t passed the present guests.

I followed their gazes toward the entrance of the church and let out a low whistle.

“That girl is going to get someone killed one day,” I said.

Luca Vitiello towered in the doorway with his stunning wife and even more stunning daughter. His son was already taller than his three years older sister.

“How old is she?” Diego asked.

“Twelve,” Fabiano said in warning. “And you better look at something else when they come over, or Luca’s going to cut you down.”

“Luca won’t cut down anyone in my territory,” Remo said with a dangerous smile.

“If someone checked out Greta in that age, would you hesitate to cut them down if you were in Luca’s territory?” Fabiano asked.

I scoffed. Remo would rip the fucker’s throat out with a smile.

Kiara, followed by Serafina, entered the room, and I wanted to disappear in the ground. Kiara appeared even more flustered than I felt. They both took me in.

“God, you are so beautiful, Gemma,” Kiara said, pressing a palm to her mouth.

Serafina nodded slowly. They both were absolutely stunning. Kiara in a long red dress that contrasted beautifully with her pale skin and dark hair, and Serafina like a regal angel with her straight blonde hair and a dark blue dress. “You will bring Savio to his knees.”

I wasn’t sure how my marriage with Savio would be.

“Your mom asked us to talk to you,” Serafina said, coming closer.

“I really don’t need a talk,” I said quickly. “I already talked to… someone.” I couldn’t really say that I’d talked to Toni because it wasn’t public knowledge that she’d slept with Diego.

“Well, I wouldn’t rely on Savio’s ample knowledge alone, if I were you,” Serafina said.

“Did you ever meet any of the girls?”

Kiara touched my arm. “No. Savio never cared about any girl enough.”

Serafina leaned in. “From this day on, you’re the only girl that matters. Like I said, you need to bring him to his knees.”

“Do you think that’s possible?”

“Oh yes,” she said, exchanging a look with Kiara. “Every man can be brought to his knees.”

They’d have to know. They were married to Nino and Remo.

“So, you’re sure you don’t want to ask us anything?” Kiara asked softly.

“One thing…among Traditionalists the bloody sheets tradition is still upheld but since your family isn’t very conservative, I was wondering if there’s something like that.”

“No!” Both of them said at once.

Serafina touched my shoulder. “You decide if you want to sleep with Savio, only you. There won’t be any bloody sheets or anything else putting pressure on you and please promise me that you won’t let him push you into anything you don’t want to do.”

I smiled at their concern. “I won’t.”

Savio had made me wait a long time before he’d made up his mind, first about our engagement, then about our wedding. He could wait for what he wanted a while.