I shook my head and looked forward once again, breaking away from the puzzle that was my pretty bride. I had a lifetime to learn every nuance of her expressions. There was no time to linger now, no hesitation.

“You’ll be fine, Elenora,” I rumbled. “I’ll take care of you.”

Her slender arm stiffened in my gentle grip. She didn’t believe me.

I would just have to prove my intentions to her after the ceremony. Once I had her in my bed, I would show her how good it could be between us.

Forcing my full attention back to the task ahead, I pushed open the door and revealed the opulent ballroom where we would seal our fate. Only three people waited for us: the officiant and my two best men, Lorenzo and Gabriele. They’d driven in the car ahead of us and had arrived first; my closest friends had accompanied me to steal Dante’s bride.

Truly, it was a stroke of luck that we’d found her outside her house. It’d saved us the trouble of going in to get her, which could’ve turned violent, no matter my intentions. And I wasn’t at all certain that I would’ve had the willpower to prevent myself from attacking Dante and Giuseppe if I’d laid eyes on the traitors.

But we were fortunate, and no blood had been spilled.

I led Elenora toward the makeshift altar, her heels clicking across the marble floor and echoing through the empty, cavernous space. Once we sealed our union, I’d host an elaborate wedding reception, and the ballroom would be full of my allies—and my enemies who would’ve stuck a knife in my back. Even Giuseppe would be invited, and if he was smart, he’d keep his attempted coup a secret from my father.

I had no intention of telling my old man that his best friend had tried to betray his dying wishes for me to take control of our organization. Dad was too frail to even come downstairs for this ceremony. News of the scheme would be a dagger in his failing heart.

This wedding would bind Elenora—and Giuseppe—to me, and the whole affair would be forgotten.

My fingers firmed on Elenora’s arm as I thought of Dante. I wouldn’t forgive and forget his treachery so easily. I’d keep a close watch on him, possibly even eliminate him after my father passed and I took full control. But until my rule was established, I wouldn’t risk destabilizing the organization by murdering one of our most powerful capos. No matter how fiercely I wanted to watch the sadistic light leave his eyes.

We reached the head table at the far side of the ballroom, where fresh flowers were usually kept even when no one was using the space; my home was always kept in meticulous order. The pale pink blooms would have to be decoration enough for Elenora. She’d probably long dreamed of an elaborate wedding ceremony, but the four dozen roses were all that she would get today.