Chapter 482
Marriage.
Commitment.
Love.
Faithfulness.
Forever.
Words Luca had heard once before. He had never given a fuck about that but with Veronica’s hand in his, the words sounded different.
He intended to take them as seriously as he could. Her fingers trembled lightly in his, though her chin stayed lifted. She was trying very hard not to cry. It was a useless effort.
The priest proceeded to their vows. He gestured first to Veronica.
Vee inhaled, looked down for a bit, then lifted her eyes to Luca’s. “Luca,” she began softly, “wherever you are is my home p>
His throat tightened.
Cruel woman.
Starting with that.
“Thank you for always loving me,” she continued, her eyes shining now, “for being patient with me. I promise to always love you I feel so lucky and proud to become your wife today p>
The priest turned to him.
Luca looked at Veronica. “In one moment…you completely captured my attention and with you it has stayed.” He tightened his hold on her hand. “Your pain belongs to me, my blood belongs to you. I have always been and will always be obsessed with you until death do us part p>
Morbid but sweet, Veronica thought. Then again, done differently, it wouldn’t be Luca.
He did not do soft the way normal men did. Luca offered blood, obsession, protection, and forever with the signing of his soul.
She loved every terrible, beautiful part of it.
The priest, who deserved an award for remaining calm through vows that sounded one sentence away from a murder pact, cleared his throat gently and moved on to the rings.
The small cushion was brought forward.
Luca picked up her ring first. His fingers were careful as he slid it onto hers. Veronica watched the metal settle on her engagement ring. It looked right there.
Then it was her turn.
She picked up his ring.
His blue eyes stayed on her face as she took his hand.
She slid the ring onto his finger.
There.
Hers.
Physical proof that he belonged to her.
The priest smiled as he lifted his hands slightly. “I now declare you husband and wife, Mr and Mrs Genovese. You may now kiss your bride p>
Luca stepped closer, looking down at her shining eyes. “You’re shaking p>
“I’m nervous p>
His brow lifted. “I have kissed you before, Bambola p>
Her lips parted into a trembling smile. “Not as your wife p>
Possession, tenderness, awe—everything tangled together until even his breathing felt intimate.
“Then we better make it memorable.” He pulled her into him and covered her lips with his.
Veronica’s eyes closed as emotion rose through her. She threw her head back slightly, her hands reaching for his shoulders for balance. He held her by the waist, deepening the kiss.
The priest cleared his throat.
Vee broke away first, breathless, cheeks warm, lips curved in a smile. She pressed her fingers lightly against Luca’s chest. “We should stop before Father decides to pull us apart with holy water p>
His eyes stayed on her mouth. “Come here,” he growled. He pulled her in once more, claiming her lips again. His hand slid to her waist, holding her against him.
Vee made a small sound against his mouth. She pulled away again, laughing against his lips. “We can continue this somewhere else where God isn’t watching p>
Luca took her hand, his thumb brushing over the new ring. “Come on. We’ve got only one night p>
Only one night. The words held too much.
Vee looked up at him. “And then what p>
Luca stopped. The husband remained, but the devil returned beside him. His face settled. His gaze sharpened. His hand tightened around hers. He turned to her fully and looked into her eyes, letting her see it. He needed her to understand exactly what waited for them now. “We are going to war p>
Vee held his gaze and nodded. She was terrified but still choose to stand beside him. She could see the war coming, see the blood on the horizon, see the darkness gathering at their feet, and she still held his hand with no intention of letting him face it alone.
Luca kissed her forehead before they headed out of the church.
Luca lay behind his new wife beneath the sheets, his arm wrapped around her waist, his lips brushing her shoulder. Vee was curled on her side with her back to him, her hair spread over the pillow, her body warm against his. He slid his hand lower to her ass, fingers closing possessively over her butt, and pressed another kiss to her shoulder.
Vee gave a soft gasp when his palm came down in a sharp, playful smack. “Luca p>
He smiled against her skin. “Mrs Genovese he called. “You’re not going to say no to me on our wedding night, are you p>
She turned her head slightly, trying to look at him over her shoulder. “We don’t have to force anything She was still thinking of him, still protecting the part of him that felt bruised and betrayed by his own body, still trying to make room for his pride.
He loved her enough to be brave enough to accept that he needed help and was willing to accept it. Loved her enough to want to give her joy, not because she demanded it, but because she deserved every beautiful thing he could still place in her hands. He moved closer behind her, letting his hard cock press firmly against hers so she could feel exactly how much he wanted her.
She turned around in surprise, eyes wide, hair falling over one shoulder. “How p>
Luca’s mouth curved slowly. “Ssshhhh he murmured. “Just enjoy it, wifey p>
Vee did not need to be told twice.
He looked hungry and smug.
She shifted toward him quickly, tugging at her nightdress and straddling him.
His grin widened. “Horny, are we p>
“God, yes!” she said, utterly shameless. “Come on, let’s make it quick p>
Intimacy wasn’t all they were, but this fire between them had always been proof that no matter how ugly the world became, they could still find joy in each other.
(100 power stones p>