“If you have such a problem marrying me then maybe go join some other trashy group who will skin your ass alive. As if I want to marry a stuck up prick like you.”

Alexander turns his head to look at me and his lips lift in a smirk. “I love pissing you off.”

I roll my eyes and look at my father. “So, when is the wedding happening?”

“Engagement party is tomorrow, and the wedding is in the next few days. Thalia, you have a dress fitting before then and Alexander you have a suit fitting. I want to have this wedding happen before the time the ball comes around.”

Ah yes.

The yearly mafia ball that the groups hold every year.

Every year some crazy shit happens so I wouldn’t be surprised if something happened this year.

Thirty Three

I look at myself in the mirror and trail my eyes down the white sparkly dress.

Today is the day.

Aren't girls supposed to be excited about their wedding?

I feel nervous and then also bummed out because of the reason for the wedding even happening. If I want to have a wedding, I want to do it with someone I like not someone who makes my blood boil.

Even though sometimes he makes my blood boil in a good way.

But that’s rare.

"You look beautiful, Thalia," my mom says and walks up to me. I stare at her from the mirror. "I am sorry."

I turn around and look at her. "It's not your fault. I can't always get what I want." I give her a small smile.

"I want you to have something," my mom says and then grabs the back of her necklace and takes it off. "This is the necklace that my father gave me." My mom puts the necklace around my neck, and I look down at it. "I remember how terrified he was when he walked me down the aisle," my mom says with a small, sad smile.

My grandfather died of cancer a few years ago and my mom was so hurt along with my grandmother. I was very close with him and that's probably because he was always there when I needed him to be. He also taught me a lot of what I know today like combat moves.

"I miss him."

"I do too," my mom smiles at me with tears in her eyes, and she kisses my cheek. "I need to go to my seat, but I will see you out there. Your dad should be here soon."

My mom leaves the room and I look back in the mirror and trail my eyes down the dress again.

You can do this.

You are strong, you are beautiful, you are powerful.

You can do this.

I smile at myself in the mirror, and I hear the door open making me turn around and see my dad.