The rest of the night was everything she could have asked, the evening filled with joy, fun, laughter and, most important of all, the warmth of family unity. She wasn’t the least surprised when the Dantes gathered in Primo’s garden after dinner and began relating old, favorite stories. While her grandparents took turns telling Constantine about their first Inferno meeting—perpetuating the falsehood of The Inferno—Gianna slipped away from the light and crowd and retreated into the shadows.
Tomorrow she’d be a married woman. Would she be one of the lucky ones, like her own parents and grandparents? Or would she and Constantine end up like Uncle Dominic and Aunt Laura?
“Are you okay?” Constantine came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close.
She melted against him with a sigh of happiness. “I’m fine.”
“Nervous about tomorrow?”
“You’re the tenth person tonight who’s asked me that.”
“Probably why you’re nervous.”
She laughed. “That must be it.” She turned in his arms and allowed her fingers to drift deep into the thick waves of his hair. “There can’t possibly be any other reason.”
“No, there can’t.” His absolute certainty humbled her. “You know I want you more than any other woman I’ve known.”
Not quite a declaration of love. But close. Maybe in time he’d say the words. Maybe in time he’d mean them. Before she could reply, she heard Rafe just behind them, laughing at something Luc said.
He approached, slapping Constantine on the back. “Ready for tomorrow or do you have cold feet? My car’s out front. They’d never catch us if you want to make a break for it.”
Constantine’s brow furrowed briefly as he mulled over “make a break for it.” He must have reasoned through the idiom because he laughed. “No breaking necessary. Gianna is the only woman I want. The only woman I’ll ever want.”
Rafe chuckled. “She’ll definitely be the only one. The Inferno will see to that.”
Constantine’s bleak gaze shifted to Gianna, making her want to weep. “So I understand,” he murmured. “Let us hope the reverse is also true.”
The day of Gianna’s wedding dawned sunny and temperate. The morning passed in a dreamy haze. Someone came and fixed her hair, then magically vanished. Same with her makeup. While her bridesmaids—a few college friends, along with her sisters and cousins-in-law—hovered and fluttered, laughing and teasing, Nonna and her mother kept her from floating away. Or maybe it was Rafe’s words that kept her grounded, slipping into her dream day like a dark, threatening cloud.
She’ll definitely be the only one. The Inferno will see to that.
The gown she’d chosen was molded antique lace with a keyhole back and chapel train. The finishing touch was a fabulous Dante fire diamond tiara that kept her lace veil anchored firmly in place. The trip to the wedding chapel took no time at all, or so it seemed to Gianna. One minute she stood in her parents’ home, the next she entered the church. The women were all ushered into the bride’s room to await the start of the ceremony. She’d been told that Constantine and his groomsmen had already arrived and were relaxing in a nearby room. She could vaguely hear the sound of masculine voices drifting down the hall.
“Are you okay?” Ariana asked in concern. She and Lazz had flown in for the special occasion with their baby, Amata.
Gianna managed a quick smile. “Of course. No worries.” Well, except for one.
She’ll definitely be the only one. The Inferno will see to that.
It wasn’t fair, she realized. As much as she loved Constantine, it wasn’t fair to keep him trapped against his will. To force him into a marriage. Not if he didn’t really love her. She didn’t want an Inferno love. Not one forced on the man she married. She wanted him to love her for herself. Because he had chosen. Because he had made the decision she was the only one for him.
She shot to her feet in a panic. “I need to see Constantine.”
For a split second the women all froze, silence gripping the room. Then everyone started talking at once. She couldn’t make out a word they said. Nor did it matter. She headed for the door.