Chapter 2: Your Husband Is Not Pure

Sienna

I look up into the green eyes of Dante Dragonetti, and my heart stops beating. What was he doing in my room? And why was he holding me up against my bedroom door?

“D-Dante? What are you doing?” I stutter out and catch the grin forming on his face as he licks his lips.

“Am I not allowed to see my intended bride?” He asks, running his fingers down my cheek, and I tremble at his touch.

“Of course, you may, I am yours,” I tell him, almost adding that this was inappropriate - he should not be in my room alone. He chuckles and draws his face closer to mine.

“Then why are you so terrified of me?” He whispers in my ear, his breath on my neck sending a shiver down my spine. What kind of question was that? Did he not know that he put the fear of God in everyone he meets?

“I am not… You merely surprised me, that’s all. I didn’t expect to find you in my room when you are only due to arrive tomorrow.” I managed to get out, my voice breaking as I babble on and he pulls his head back to peer down at me.

“Are you still a virgin, Sienna?” He suddenly asks, and I feel the blush creeping into my cheeks.

What the hell! What a vile man!

“Of course I am!” I cry out, and Dante puts a finger to my lips to silence me while he grins at my answer.

“Good, I want an unspoilt wife on our wedding night. A bloody sheet always signifies a blessed mafioso marriage.” He says, and the blush deepens on my cheeks.

Our wedding night, he was already thinking about our wedding night.

“You have a pure bride, Dante,” I answer him and he steps away from me and walks towards the terrace door, then he turns back to me.

“I wish I could say you have a pure husband waiting, but we all know what I am.” He says with a smirk before stepping out and closing the glass door behind him. I run to the door and watch him as he walks down the steps that lead into our back garden, slinking towards our wrought-iron gates.

How had he gotten inside with my father’s security detail? Should I mention this to him?

I breathe out a sigh and slink to the floor. Dante had been in my room. I could still smell his lingering cologne in the air and another shiver went down my spine.

Was he only here to find out if I was still a virgin or not? I am sure that he could have waited until our wedding night to see it.

What kind of person did he think I was to ask that question?

I don’t want to admit it, but I am left feeling incredibly insulted. Dante was the Capo who terrifies those around him, even his own family. It would never sink in that I was to be his intended bride, that this would be my last few days inside of our mansion and estate. I would not be allowed back in Chicago after this. No one would have me back.

Pulling myself up from the floor, I lock the terrace door and drag myself into the bathroom, hoping to now wash Dante’s touch from my skin. I opted instead for a shower and scrubbed my skin raw as the water washed the day away.

Dante’s appearance has left me shaken. Was this his intention? Did he want me terrified up until the day I was to marry him? Because if that is the case, then it’s working. After my shower, I climbed into bed, knowing that sleep wouldn’t come easy.

***

The next morning, my mother woke me up at 6 am saying we needed to head out to the shops for a few things. Trust my mother to think of last-minute dishes to add to the menu.

We get into our Maybach and my mother breathes out a sigh. “I lied. I needed to get out of the house and away from your papa. He’s in a foul mood because Dante is in town.” She admits and looks at me. So Dante had the same effect on everyone, not just me. Well, they only get to see him today and on my wedding day; I will be bound to him for life.

I offer her a smile. “I understand, mamma. So where did you want to go then?” I ask her and she turns to me with a smile.

“Carmella is meeting us for breakfast in town. I thought you would like to see her or have her by your side this evening.”

My eyes widen and a big smile crosses my lips. “Are you serious, Mamma? You did this for me?” I asked her and I could feel my eyes welling up with tears. How did she know I was suffering? She hardly ever showed her genuine feelings regarding this nuptial and seems to agree with everything Papa threw at me.

She takes my hand in hers. “Of course, Stellina. I know I haven’t been the best mother lately and I would rather see you get married to someone who… someone other than Dante, but sometimes we have to do what needs to be done.” She says wistfully.

“It is always us women who get traded like prized sheep in order to keep the peace,” she adds, making me do a double-take.

So Mamma knew what I was going through, and yet she kept quiet. I have been dying inside for the last 5 months because of this, and yet she remained impassive.

I plaster a smile on my face. “It’s okay, Mamma. I’m a big girl now and will do what is expected of me.” I say and she responds with a nod, then turns to look out of the window. The rest of the drive was quiet, and I wondered what was going through her head. She seemed terrified for me, but could not express it outright.

The life of a Mafioso Bride is a lonely one.

20 minutes later, we arrive outside a high-end restaurant and get out. I spot my Carmella’s blonde curls before I even see her.

“Sienna!” She calls as soon as she sees me and we walk over to her, but Mamma stops.

“You enjoy the morning with Carmella. I need to do a few things. Call me as soon as you are done.” She says then gets back inside the car.

Why was Mamma acting so weird all of a sudden? It was really bothering me.

“Carmella,” I say as we embrace, and she leads me over to a table. “Where did my auntie go off to?” She asks, meaning Mamma and I shrug.

“She said she had to do a few things and left with the driver.”

“She didn’t leave a bodyguard with you though, and that is dangerous,” Carmella noted, and this caused me to frown.

I didn’t even notice this minor fact. If Papa had to find this out, Mamma would be in real trouble.

“Is yours here?” I ask her, and she gestures to the guy at the table next to us.

“Okay, then, it should be fine. So, how are things?” I ask her, trying to take my mind off my mother and her odd behaviour. Carmella’s talking drowns out my problems and this carries on for a few minutes until her expression turns serious.

“Are you ready for this evening?” She asks me and I couldn’t help but shrug.

“I suppose I have to be, but I will have you there for emotional support, so I am sure I will be fine,” I respond to her, and she smiles at my answer.

“Sienna, how are you really feeling?” She asks me out of the blue, and I frown at this question. It was then that I realised that no one had asked me this since they announced my engagement.

I sigh and look at her. “I am terrified, but know this needs to be done. Dante will most certainly be the death of me. I think we all know this. Mamma raised me to be a proud Vincenzo woman, and I will be strong throughout this marriage.” I say and try to believe my own words, but I know I was choking on lies.

Carmella smiles sweetly at me. “Well…” She starts but trails off as her eyes dart towards the door.

She pales and grabs my hand across the table. “Don’t look towards the door, Sienna. Don’t.”

Ignoring her against my better judgement, I turn around and my heart drops. Dante had just walked in with a shapely blonde on his arm, and they were currently kissing as if the other’s tongue was their only life support.