The door to Serenity’s room was pushed open, in the reflection of the floor length mirror she saw her family walk through the door one by one.
“Mia Figlia, you look so beautiful.” Caterina brought a hand over her mouth to cover the gasp when she laid eyes on her only daughter in a wedding gown.
“Hey guys.” Serenity spun on her heels and looked at them with a nervy smile.
“You’re gorgeous, Sis.” Darrio looked at his baby sister in awe, she made a radiant bride.
“Aww, you guys are gonna make me cry.” Serenity’s fists balled at her sides to avoid rubbing at her eyes where tears were already pooling.
“Ladies and gentlemen, if I could please have your attention. Will the bride and groom please make their way to the dancefloor for their first dance as husband and wife!” The MC announced with vigour and the crowd erupted in applause. The beginning notes of “From this moment” by Shania Twain played through the speakers as Xander escorted her to the makeshift dance floor set up in the backyard of the Moretti Residence. “Finally.” Xander whispered in her ear when he took her in his arms and began swaying her to the beat of the music. Serenity smiled up at him with a perfect brow cocked in question, “Finally, what?” “Finally you’re all mine and no one can take you away from me.” He pulled her impossibly closer and tucked her head under his chin. Serenity felt her heart flutter, “Do you remember the last time this backyard was donned and decorated?” Serenity’s eyes travelled to the surrounding trees all draped in fairy lights. “My birthday?” Xander frowned questioningly. Seren
Serenity and Xander grinned when they entered the Lombardi Estate, after a long month on honeymoon they had tan lines and large smiles.“Oh my God, you’re back!” Selena rushed to hug Serenity as soon as her eyes landed on her best friend.“I missed you too.” Serenity giggled, stroking her hair softly.“Finally! For a moment I thought you guys decided to settle down there.” Darrio joked when he came up to greet them, followed by the rest of their rather large family.“Hi.” Ivy was the last to greet the pair and the moment Serenity’s eyes landed on her she instantly knew something was wrong.“Hey you, is everything okay?” Serenity frowned.“I’m fine.” She forced a smile, but the bags around her eyes were a sure sign that something wasn’t quite right.“So, how was it?” Olympia wrapped her arms around Serenity’s and walked with her into the house, once again the group was gathered at the Lombardi household for dinner, and it seemed the occasion would become a regular one.“It was wonderfu
The courtroom was filled to the brim with spectators and media alike on the day the verdict on the case of Joseph Ledger versus The State was to be delivered. From her position at the front of the courtroom, Serenity could see the scores of Mafia associates and gangbangers lining the benches, but her eyes were focussed solely on her brother in the last seat of the second row.Matteo, unlike the rest of them, sat behind the defendant and only a few feet away from Ivy. His eyes hadn’t left her since he entered the room, and if it hadn’t been for the tensing of her shoulders when he sat down, Serenity would have thought she didn’t know he was there by the way she skillfully ignored him.“Relax, he’s a big boy.” Xander’s hand around her’s tightened, though his gaze was focussed
Serenity browsed through the grocery store without much care in the world as she decided on what flavour of ice cream to buy. “You should get both.” A timid voice muttered behind her and Serenity spun on her heels. “Ivy.” Serenity breathed and her eyes widened. The young woman looked worn out and altogether a shell of the person she remembered. “You look good, how far along are you?” Ivy’s eyes flitted to her protruding belly with a small smile. “Four months. How have you been?” Serenity asked with a tinge of worry in her voice. “Fine, I guess.” Ivy half shrugged, not bothering to hide the fact that she was lying and Serenity’s face contorted into a frown. “I’m just about done shopping, would you like to get a drink?” Serenity pointed over her shoulder at the tiny cafe at the front of the store. “I don’t think that’s such a good idea.” Ivy’s eyes fell. “Please, I just want to talk.” Serenity pleaded, giving her the famous puppy dog eyes that Xander hated. “Okay.” She nodd
FIVE MONTHS LATER “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the union of Lorenzo Lombardi and Olympia Harper Ruiz.” Serenity shifted uncomfortably in her chair as she listened to the minister speak of the beauty of marriage. “Are you okay?” Caterina whispered to her heavily pregnant daughter beside her. “I’ll be fine.” Serenity whispered back, she somehow had to make it through the ceremony. “Are you sure?” Caterina frowned at her knuckles that were turning white on the armrest of the chair from the fierce grip she had on it. The little princess in her arms stopped her from reaching out to Serenity. “I’m fine.” Serenity gritted out. The strain of the day had finally caught up with her and the pain she woke with was steadily growing worse. From his position behind Enzo, Xander was sending her worried looks, he looked seconds away from marching across the room to her side. “Oh God!” Serenity groaned when she felt wetness trickle down her legs and all eyes turned to h
“Don’t touch me.” Serenity hissed, pulling back when Giovanni reached for her arm.“Stop this nonsense, Alessia. I am your father, you will respect me.” Giovanni’s eyes narrowed, the insolent girl before him wasn’t someone he recognized.“Father?” Serenity scoffed, like the very idea of the word was bogus, “You’re nothing but a captor.” Her face contorted in disgust.A few years ago she wouldn’t have dared to speak a word out of turn, let alone look the man in the eye, but a lot has changed in four years. Giovanni Lombardi no longer frightened her.“How dare you?” Giovanni’s face contorted with rage and Serenity felt a ch
ONE WEEK EARLIER “Do you know how many hours an average gambler spends on the casino floor or placing bets online in a year, Mr Smith?” Alexander kept his gaze on the already glinting blade in his hand as he polished it, not at all bothered by the chubby man sweating bullets onto the ceramic tiles. “N- No.” The man responded breathlessly, he sounded a lot like he’d run a marathon before he got here, but that was hardly true. The wild beating of his heart was a result of the adrenalin chasing down the fear in his veins. Alexander halted his actions and looked at the man with a cool smile, “Too many.” Mr Smith’s eyes widened in fear and gulped hard when he glanced at the blad
“Serenity Paige, twenty-two year old female. Sustained a head injury from being thrown to the ground in an explosion, she has a fractured femur and multiple…” The voice trailed off as Serenity fell out of consciousness.“When will she wake up?” Serenity recognised the distant voice, but before she could call out to him she felt her consciousness slip away again.“Sir, you can’t be in here!” A voice startled Serenity from her slumber.“Who are you?” Peter stood protectively before her, blocking her view from whoever had entered the room and Serenity felt fear grip her, worried that whoever caused the explosion was here to finish the job.“