HELENA'S POV
The smell of gunpowder still hung in the air mixed with blood and flowers, White wedding flowers It didn't make sense none of it did.
Men were dragging bodies away cleaning, wiping blood off marble like it was just spilled wine. Replacing broken chairs, fixing decorations like nothing happened, like people hadn't just died here.
My wedding dress was change to another new wedding outfit, it was as if it was plan for me to wear.
"Helena." His voice was low, steady.
I turned.
Vincenzo stood a few steps away, now with a clean jacket thrown over his shoulders like he hadn't just been bleeding minutes ago, like he hadn't just killed someone in front of me.
"Come here," he said not harsh not soft but certain.
My feet moved before my brain could catch up, I stopped in front of him close enough to see the faint strain in his face. The tightness in his jaw and the pain he was hiding.
"You're still bleeding," I whispered. His lips curved slightly.
"I'll live."
That annoyed me more than it should.
"Why are you acting like this is normal?" I snapped quietly. "People just died, Vincenzo."
His expression didn't change.
"This is normal."
I shook my head slowly.
"I don't think I'll ever get used to that."
For a moment he just looked at me the his hand came up brushed gently against my cheek.
"You don't have to get used to it," he said quietly. My heart twisted.
"Because I'll make sure it never touches you again." But it already had.
"Boss," Jason called from behind. Vincenzo's expression shifted instantly Cold, Sharp and focused.
He turned "What?" Jason walked closer, lowering his voice.
"Everything is under control. Perimeter secured. No more threats."
A pause. Then "But something doesn't add up."
That caught my attention. Vincenzo's eyes narrowed.
"Explain."
Jason glanced around briefly before speaking.
"They got in too easily."
Silence.
Heavy.
Dangerous.
"They knew exactly where to hit," Jason continued. "Security blind spots. Timing. Movement."
My stomach dropped.
"Someone told them," Matteo added, stepping forward.
The air shifted again darker and colder. Vincenzo didn't say anything at first he just stood there still, too still.
Then slowly he looked around at his men, at the guards and at everyone.
when he spoke his voice was quiet and deadly.
"Lock the gates." My heart skipped.
"No one leaves." A chill ran down my spine.
"Find out who betrayed me," he finished.
No one argued, no one questioned, everyone moved immediately.
I swallowed hard. "Vincenzo…"
He turned back to me and just like that softness returned only for me.
"We'll finish this first," he said.
My brows furrowed. "Finish what?"
He held out his hand. "The wedding."
I stared at him like he had completely lost his mind.
"Are you serious right now?"
"Yes."
No hesitation no doubt.
"People just died!" I whispered harshly. "You almost died!"
"And yet," he said calmly,
"I'm still here."
My chest tightened. "This isn't right…"
"Nothing about us is right," he replied.
A step closer, his hand still waiting for mine.
"But it's happening." Silence.
I looked at his hand then at him then at everything around us. The blood had been cleaned the chairs fixed, The guests those who remained sat quietly, nervously. Watching, Waiting, waiting for us.
This felt insane, Twisted, Wrong And yet I placed my hand in his. His fingers closed around mine instantly firm, certain like I was something he would never let go of again.
—————
The priest's voice trembled slightly as he resumed I barely heard the words. My mind was elsewhere, There's a traitor.
The thought kept repeating in my head, Someone here, Someone close, Someone who almost got us killed.
"Do you, Vincenzo Esposito…"
"I do." He didn't even let the priest finish. His grip on my hand tightened slightly.
"…take Helena—"
"I do." His voice was stronger this time More certain.
My heart skipped.
"…to be your wife?" Silence.
All eyes on me. My throat went dry, My mind screamed, My heart… betrayed me.
I looked at him really looked at him.The man who terrified me, Controlled me, Protected me, Bled for me, Killed for me and for some reason chose me.
"I…" I started. My voice shook.
His thumb brushed gently over my hand a silent reassurance.
"I do." A soft gasp spread through the crowd But I didn't look away from him not even for a second.
"Then I now pronounce you husband and wife."
I barely heard it because the next moment his hand was on my waist pulling me closer and then his lips were on mine.
The kiss wasn't soft wasn't gentle it was possessive, claiming, final like a promise and a warning.
When he pulled back his forehead rested against mine.
"You're mine now," he whispered.
My heart raced but before I could respond a voice cut through everything.
"Boss!" We both turned.
One of the guards rushed forward, panic written all over his face.
"We found something." Vincenzo's eyes darkened instantly.
"What?"
The guard hesitated then said…
"It's one of us." Heavy deadly Silence.
"Who?" Vincenzo asked. The guard swallowed.
"…Damien."
My heart stopped. No No no no Damien?
The one who defended him, spoke about him, told me he cared?
"That's not possible," I whispered.
But Vincenzo didn't look surprised, he looked furious, cold rage.
"Bring him to me," he said quietly.