I turned around, my eyes found hers and I handed her the envelope. “Please?”
She nodded, taking the envelope from my hand and opening it, unfolding the pages carefully.
Dear Adrianna,
I’m sitting here, trying to wrap my head around you getting married. It’s so hard for me because even though you’ve grown into such a beautiful woman, I still look at you and see the little girl who stole my heart. I know you might find it hard to believe but it’s true. You’ll always be my little girl.
I think about you, my sweet Adrianna and I remember the girl who would run to me whenever I walked through the door. You’d smile up at me and no matter how grim my day had been you brought joy to my life.
I wish I were there to walk you down the aisle. I don’t even know if you would’ve wanted me to but still I would’ve been honored to give you a way to Anthony. A part of me thinks that it would’ve been redemption for tearing the both of you apart.
I’ll be thinking of you today and when I go to sleep, I’ll dream of the dance we would have shared today. I love you, Adrianna. Please never doubt that.
All my love,
Daddy
Nikki folded the letter, lifted her eyes to mine, and she reached out and brushed away my tears.
“Don’t cry you’ll mess your make up,” she whispered, sniffling a little herself.
“I wish he was here,” I said hoarsely. How crazy is that? If someone would’ve told me six months ago that I’d miss my father, I’d tell them they were crazy. When I was a little girl I used to dream of my wedding, and my dad was always there walking me to my prince charming. I guess that’s when I believed life was made up of fairytales. It took a long time, a lot of heartache, to understand that life isn’t about fairytales but that sometimes, the lucky ones still find their happily ever after.
I’m one of the lucky ones. Mine and Anthony’s story was anything but a fairytale, but after everything we had gone through, we found our happy ending.
I kept my eyes glued to the other end of the white runner that had been laid upon the sand, waiting for the first glimpse of my wife.
Wife. It sounded strange, but it felt right. I gave up on this day a long time ago, and if she hadn’t given up on me, we probably wouldn’t be here today. I’ll always be grateful for that.
The music sounded, and she appeared, taking my breath away instantly. She was always the most beautiful girl I had ever laid eyes on but she made a stunning bride. My bride.
I glanced at her side and saw the person who was giving her to me, the one giving me permission, to love and cherish her for all the days of my life. The pair made their way down the aisle and I anxiously met them half way unable to wait any longer. I leaned forward and pressed my lips quickly to hers before bending down and lifting my son into my arms.
“You ready bud?” I asked Luca, kissing his cheek.
“Yep!” He said, wrapping one arm around my neck.
I held him with one hand and laced my other hand with my bride’s, escorting her to the priest waiting for us. The priest smiled knowingly at Luca before asking him a very important question.
“Who gives this woman’s hand in marriage?” The priest asked.
I glanced at Adrianna, smiled at her before we both looked at Luca as he raised his hand.
“I do!” He shouted.
Other Books By Janine
The Tempted Series:
Illicit Temptations (Book One) can be read as standalone
Blurb
Michael Valente
My father was the underboss of an organized crime family. He was murdered when I was a teenager leaving me broken. My mother died in a tragic accident, her death annihilated me. My life was in shambles until Victor Pastore, one of New York’s most notorious gangsters and my late father’s best friend, recruited me to work for him.
Everyone expected me to walk in my father’s shadow, to be the prodigal son, the next big thing to hit the mob. I was torn between filling those expectations and walking the straight line my mother wished I had. Nothing made sense and I felt as if I was just passing through life.
The only beacon of light in my otherwise dark world was the one girl that was off limits to me. The one girl who could bring me to my knees consuming my mind, body and soul.
She’s the sweetest temptation I’ve ever known and the most illicit.
Nikki Pastore
My father’s a gangster. My boyfriend’s is the king of New York’s night clubs. I am often labeled as Vic’s daughter or Rico’s girl, never just Nikki. I struggle for people to acknowledge me for the woman I am and not for the men in my life. I’m fighting a losing battle.
There is only one person who sees me for me, my Mikey.
He’s wild.
He’s reckless.
He’s hot as hell.
He’s completely unattainable but oh so tempting.
The Riverdale Series: sound be read in series order Pieces (Book One)