Chapter 2

Vincent opened his mouth as if to say something.

"Boss Vincent! Come look at this pile of stuff, I can't figure it out!" Luca was standing on the heap of shredded wedding dress, scratching his head.

Vincent turned back to look at him and laughed helplessly. "If you can't figure it out, what makes you think I can?"

Luca was wearing his suit jacket. That jacket, like my wedding gown, had been crafted by the same reclusive, small-name designer.

All because I'd once made an offhand comment admiring that designer's work. Vincent flew to Europe over a dozen times, showed up at the designer's door in person, and finally persuaded him to come out of retirement.

When the gown arrived, Vincent handled it more carefully than I did. He said it should be kept as a family heirloom.

It hadn't even survived the wedding day.

Vincent and Luca crouched on the ground, talking. Luca suddenly picked up a piece of sheer fabric and draped it over Vincent's head, then ducked underneath it himself. Beneath the veil, their noses nearly touched.

Luca's gaze was earnest and burning. Vincent saw in his eyes the many years they'd walked side by side, and for a moment, he lost himself.

Luca grinned, brazen and wide. "No way. That's all it takes to rattle you? If you're this shy around me, another guy, what are you going to do when you're actually married to your fiancee?"

Vincent pulled the fabric off and laughed. "Cut it out."

Luca shoved him flat on his back, straddled him, and started tickling. "You're telling me to cut it out? I'll show you what happens."

The two of them tumbled around in a heap.

Guests drifted back to their seats. The banquet hall wasn't quiet. Someone whispered, "The Don really knows how to have a good time. Hires a bunch of actors as wedding guests, throws a fake ceremony, all just for kicks?"

"I don't know about that. The bride seemed pretty serious to me."

"She's the only one who thought it was real. You see any of the bride's family or friends around?"

"None of the Moretti elders showed up either, did they? The rest of us are just hired help."

"Who'd she piss off? That scene earlier was borderline sexual assault."

I shut the door and sealed those grotesque images on the other side.

Back in the suite, removing my makeup, I realized my face was streaked with tears. The wedding-night blessing on the bed had been arranged by Luca. I didn't want to touch that bed ever again.

I changed into my own clothes and took off the ring. Only after confirming that the overseas fellowship originally scheduled for after the wedding could be moved up did I finally feel like I could breathe again.

But my family and friends. I still couldn't reach a single one of them.

Staring at the hurricane warning on my phone, dread coiled tighter and tighter inside me. I called the emergency line immediately, then got ready to head for the nearest dock.

When the elevator doors opened, I saw Vincent and Luca standing inside.

Vincent frowned. "Luca was right after all. You'd get upset and walk out."

Luca sighed with theatrical pity. "Women. Always such a hassle."

Vincent took my wrist. "Hear Luca out first."

Luca shrugged. "If you're mad about Vincent being late the day we went to the courthouse for the marriage certificate, then all I can say is, you don't trust him at all."

"He was so nervous that night. We watched those kinds of movies together just to help him relax."

"What Boss Vincent and I have is completely pure. Everyone knows I'm his most trusted subordinate. Don't make it dirty."

I didn't respond. He grew impatient.

"I filmed those videos so Vincent could remember what a real reaction looks like versus a fake one. Honestly, I was doing it for your happiness tonight. I never meant for you to see them."

By the time I processed what he was actually saying, the revulsion hit so hard I wrenched my hand out of Vincent's grip.

So that was why Vincent had been completely drained the next day. Why he'd missed our appointment to register the marriage.

Not a word about it before. Not a word after. Only now, at this exact moment.

The skin he'd touched, I rubbed raw until it turned red.

Vincent's face darkened.

I stared at him, my voice cold. "Vincent, the hurricane is almost here. Where are my family and friends?"

He blinked, and his eyes instinctively flicked to Luca.

Luca glanced down at his buzzing phone, casual as anything. "I sent a boat over."

He looked up, smiling that weightless smile. "Don't you think it'd be fun, all those people rowing back together across the open water?"

The next second, as if only just noticing the weather alert on his screen, he raised an eyebrow.

"Oh? A hurricane? Well, they'd better be careful then."