“Fucker,” Michael grumbles, and then he’s moving too, joining Romero and offering Emilia his own arm. This time, she actually laughs as she slips her free hand into the crook of his elbow.
Maximo sighs heavily, his face carefully blank as he makes his way towards the little group as well. Since both her arms are occupied, he positions himself behind her like a bodyguard.
The entire garden seems to hold its breath as the four of them begin their slow procession towards me.
This is perfect.Better than perfect. My brothers are sending a strong message to every person watching: she has their approval, their protection, their loyalty.She’s one of us now.
My lips curve into something that probably looks more predatory than pleased, but I don’t give a shit. The satisfaction that spreads through me is almost overwhelming.
When they reach me, I keep my focus locked on Emilia’s face. She looks better now, more centered. Less like she’s about to bolt.
Romero places her right hand in mine while Michael transfers her left. The warmth of her skin seeps through my palms as my brothers resume their positions beside me.
“Hello, wife.”
“Technically, I’m not your wife yet.” Her response is soft but carries a hint of that sass I love so much, and I have to suppress a grin.
Amusing. I squeeze her hands in mine, then turn her towards the makeshift altar, and together we walk up to the officiator, who adjusts his glasses nervously as we stop in front of him.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” his voice booms through the mic clipped to his collar, “we’re gathered here today to join Rafael Moretti and Emilia Rossi together in holy matrimony. Before we proceed, permit me to remind you of the solemn and binding nature of the relationship you’re about to enter. Marriage is a sacred covenant?—”
The man drones on and on for what feels like hours about the sanctity of marriage, the bonds of love, the commitment of souls. But I let him. I want all the bells and whistles, every traditional element, because I’m only doing this once. Only claiming my queen once.
Now that I have Emilia, I’m never letting her go.
I keep my gaze locked on her throughout the entire sermon, watching pink splotches bloom across her cheeks and down her throat. She doesn’t look away—she’s gotten really fucking good at holding my stare. I wonder if it still bothers her the way it used to.
Finally, the officiator finishes his little sanctimonious lecture and turns to face us. “Are you both here willingly and without coercion?”
“Yes.” Our voices blend together, and I feel that familiar jolt of rightness when we’re in sync.
“Wonderful. Now, groom, if you’ll repeat after me?—”
“Actually, I have my own vows.”
His face lights up like I’ve just made his day. “Of course! Please, proceed.”
I turn to face my wife fully, rubbing my thumbs across the backs of her hands as I speak the words I’ve been carrying all these years.
“Emilia, I promise to protect and cherish you. I’ll be your shield and defender.Always.I promise to honor and sustain you in sickness and in health. I’ll be true to you until death alone separates us.”
Brief, concise, but every word is carved from my soul.
Her lips tremble a little as she smiles, but when she speaks, her voice carries a strength that makes my chest swell with pride. “I, Emilia, promise to protect and shield you, Rafael. I promise to stick with you through thick and thin and never to betray the sanctity of the bond we create today. You own my loyalty, and I promise to be true to you as well.”
You own my loyalty.
Not just love, not just fidelity—loyalty.
Christ, I love this woman.
Our vows are short, but they’re true to us. True to our situation.
“Who has the rings?” The officiator glances at my brothers, and Maximo steps forward with the ring box already extended towards him. The man gives me Emilia’s ring first.
My breath catches as I slide the diamond-studded band onto her finger, settling it snugly against her engagement ring. “With this ring, I take you to be my lawfully wedded wife. I take you to be none other than yourself.”
Her brown eyes go luminous, and I realize she’s fighting back tears. This moment is everything—fifteen years culminating in this single exchange of metal and promises.
