43. A New Reign

Chapter 43

A New Reign

Noise.

Sometimes it's loud. Sometimes it's impossible to ignore. Like the howling of the wind during a storm or the pulsing growls of erupting volcanoes.

But sometimes the noise is a whisper. A faint voice in the back of your head. Like static on a TV or a heart beating a little too fast.

Noise. It never truly goes away. It sneaks up on you when you least expect it.

Can I do this? Is this right? Will I be successful? Will I be able to uphold the values of this family? Am I capable? Am I worthy? Am I enough? Am I strong enough?

Are we strong enough?

Noise is destructive. I know that. I do. But some noise is valid, it has merit, yet oftentimes, it's just a manifestation of all your worst fears. Either you can listen to the static, grant it permission to hum in your ears and infiltrate your mind or, with enough faith, you can mute it. You can silence the noise, the doubt, the fear.

Faith is louder than fear .

And I have faith. Faith in Milo, faith in family, and most importantly, faith in myself.

And so, I'm pressing mute. I'm turning down the volume. I am in control.

Me.

Only me.

I take a deep breath, closing my eyes as Julia's piercing voice stings my temples.

Now if only I could mute the gaggle of Italian women bickering in front of me.

"She cannot wear the tiara, mamma !" Julia yells, slamming her hand on the table. "She is already wearing your necklace and earrings! She will look cheap! Coco Chanel said when leaving the house, look in the mirror and take something off! Do you want her to look like she robbed a fucking jewelry store?"

"Please Julia do not make me laugh!" Antonia scoffs, giving her daughter a once-over. "You are the last person who should advocate for less is more ." She tugs on a piece of Julia's hair. "How many extensions are you wearing, ah?"

"Ow!" Julia whines, swatting her mother's hand away. "You will rip my hair out!"

"I will rip your head off if you continue to argue with me!" Antonia picks up the sparkling tiara with five pear-shaped diamonds interspersed with pearl accents. "It is tradition for all brides to wear the crown, Kiara is no exception!"

Julia crosses her arm, looking down at me. "Why don't we ask Kiara what she wants, hmm?" She casts me a warm smile. "Well? Cara?"

I blink, tightening the white satin robe over my shoulders. "Um, I mean if it's tradition I suppose I should—" I look up to my future mother-in-law. "Wear it? "

"Excellent!" Antonia beams. "You will look marvelous walking down the aisle. All eyes will be on you!"

The noise is back.

"No!" Julia snaps, her eyes widening as she kneels down beside me. "Kiara, you are wearing emeralds already. You cannot mix in diamonds and pearls and rubies. You are not a mutt!"

"A mutt?!" Antonia roars, looking around the room. Her gaze lands on Luisa. "Did she just say mutt? Would a mutt wear a crown? Would they?!"

"Uh—" Luisa clears her throat, unease flashing across her face as she glances at Claudia. "I—uh..."

Oh my God. No. I've had enough. I fake check the time.

"Listen," I say, forcing a smile as I look around the make-shift bridal suite in the east wing of the estate. "I appreciate all your help, I really do, but I think I can finish getting ready myself. Maybe all of you should head downstairs. The guests have probably started to arrive. We wouldn't want to be rude now, would we?"

Julia frowns, scanning my face. "Are you okay, cara? You look a little pale."

"I'm fine," I lie, checking my reflection in the vanity mirror. "I'd just like to be alone right now. I will see you all downstairs in half an hour." I nod at the door. "You can go, I'll be fine, I promise."

"Are you sure?" Julia asks, glaring at her mother. "Perhaps I should stay. You will need help getting into your dress."

"Julia," Luisa says in a gentle tone. "Let's go downstairs, yes? Let Kiara have a moment of peace and quiet before her life changes forever."

More noise.

"Fine," Julia says with a forced smile. "We will meet you in the gardens in thirty minutes." She glances at the tiara. "I suppose if anyone could pull off a clusterfuck of gems, it would be you. Wear it if you want."

Antonia leans down and kisses my cheek. "You will look beautiful, Kiara," she whispers. "You were born to wear this crown. It is yours now."

"Thank you," I murmur, my throat drying as Luisa and Claudia both give me a quick hug. "I'll see you all very soon."

When the room clears, I close my eyes, taking several deep breaths, the weight of the crown pressing down on my chest.

The Di Vaio name is not merely a name, it's a title, it carries significance, it holds meaning, it's powerful. The most powerful name in Italy.

And it'll be mine.

My burden. My blessing. My responsibility.

I can do this.

Releasing a long, steadying exhale, I stand up and walk toward the wardrobe. As I unzip the garment bag protecting the beaded Alencon lace strapless ball gown, my tense shoulders relax. I run my hand across the white tiered ruffles on the back of the dress, my gaze following the chapel length train.

I am doing this.

White has always represented innocence, purity. But as I step into the fragile gown, I don't feel impure, I don't feel corrupted. I have seen acts of evil. I have committed acts of evil, and yet, I don't feel evil.

Perhaps innocence is not preserved through actions or words but through heart. When I look at Milo, I can see his innocence. It's in the way he laughs, the way he plays with his niece. It's his love for his mother, his sister, his family. It's in the way he touches me, holds me, loves me. I rest my palm against my belly. Loves us .

Yes. I can do this. I will do this.

The noise is gone.

"Shit," I gasp as a knock on the door startles me. Oh, good, she came back. "Come in, Jules," I call out, attempting to zip up the dress. Apparently, I need her help after all. .

"Wow." The lock clicks shut.

"Milo—" My breath hitches as I snap my head toward the door. He strides toward me, a slim-fitted black tuxedo wrapping his lithe body, a knowing smirk on his face. "What—what are you doing here?"

"I was talking to Julia downstairs," he says in a raspy tone, his dark hungry eyes dancing around my body. "She said you sounded... nervous ."

My chest rises as he stops a foot away from me.

"I was worried you might be having...second thoughts." He pauses, licking his lips. "You look—" He shakes his head. "Radiant."

"Thank you." A shiver courses down my spine as I face the mirror. "Zip me up?"

"Are you nervous, tesoro?" Milo feathers his fingers across my shoulder blades as he leans into my ear, my submissive pulse quickening as he asks, "Should I make you...less nervous?"

"No," I breathe as his hand floats down my bare back. "I'm not nervous about marrying you, I'm just—" I close my eyes, his soft touch stirring heat inside my core. "I'm nervous about walking down the aisle in front of three hundred people I don't know...what if they judge me? What if?—"

"If they judge you, tesoro—" Milo's hot breath fans against my ears as he pinches the zipper, slowly tugging it down. "It is only because they are jealous." He nips at the soft flesh of my lobe. "Every single woman sitting outside under the stars will be wishing they were you."

"Wrong way." I bite my lip as he rains wet kisses down the slope of my neck. "Milo, we...we can't." He tugs the zipper lower, past my ass. The ball gown slips off my body, dropping on the floor around my ankles. "It's already bad luck to see the bride before the?—"

"But you like bad," he rasps, snaking his arm around my waist. I let out an aching moan as he cups my breast in his palm, his fingers rolling my nipples. "Isn't that right, tesoro?" He drags his hand down my stomach as I lean back, resting my head on his shoulder. He groans, curling his fingers under the hem of my panties. "You seem to like it... a lot ."

"Milo," I whimper, opening my legs for him as he dips one finger inside my folds. "Oh, God."

"You are so wet, baby." Milo wraps his left hand around the base of my throat as he teases me with just the tip of his index finger. "So fucking wet." His grip tightens around my neck. "Open your eyes, Kiara, and watch. I want you to see what I see." His thumb grazes my bottom lip. "I said open your eyes. Or I will stop."

"Don't stop," I plead, forcing my eyelids to flutter open. My face flushes with desire, need sizzling the atoms bouncing through my body as I look at myself in the mirror. He adds a second finger, a devilish gleam in his irises as I expel a yelping moan.

"Shh, shh, shh," Milo taunts, grazing his teeth down the side of my neck as he continues his ministrations. "You need to be quiet, tesoro. The walls, they are so very thin."

"More," I whine, pressing my ass against his hardened shaft. "I need more."

"Such a greedy girl," he whispers, his chest rumbling against my spine. I reach back, rubbing my hand down the length of his erection. He grunts. "Mmm, you want my cock, baby?" He plunges a third finger inside my pussy. "Is that what you want?"

"Yes!" I pant, fumbling to unfasten his trousers. "Please. Fuck me."

"Hands on the mirror." Milo pushes me forward, slapping my ass as he drops his pants. He arches over me, fisting my hair as he tugs my head back, pushing my panties to the side. With a husky moan, his cock coaxes open my dripping wet folds. "Watch, baby. Keep your eyes open." I gasp, pleasure searing through my body as he surges forward. "Eyes open!"

"Holy fuck," I moan as he pulls me flush against his chest, his unyielding cock thrusting inside me, deeper and deeper and deeper, filling every fucking inch of my pussy as his thumb flicks my sensitive clit. "Oh my God."

"Yes, baby," he growls, his heady sweet breath filling my lungs as he fucks me, worships me, fucking obliterates me. "Are you going to come for me?"

"Yes," I whimper as someone knocks on the door. "Oh my God, harder!"

"Kiara?" Julia shouts. "Hello?"

He slaps his hand over my mouth. "Shh, baby, we wouldn't want to get caught now, would we?" My walls clench around him. "Oh fuck, come on baby. Come for me." He lowers his voice, applying just the right amount of pressure on my clit to send me over the goddamn edge. With one final thrust, he explodes inside me. "Fuck!"

"Oh God," I pant, catching my breath, my vision blurry. "Holy shit."

Another knock. "Kiara? Is everything alright?"

"Yes!" I croak, attempting to float back down to earth. I clear my throat. "One minute!" I cringe, looking at my reflection in the mirror. "Shit, Milo, help me put the fucking dress on."

"Here—" Milo smirks, handing me a tissue to clean myself off with. "You look so sexy right now, Kiara. Perhaps one more time?"

"Shut up!" I smack his shoulder, scrambling to get the gown on as he tucks in his shirt and readjusts his bow tie. "Help me!"

"Kiara?!" Julia calls out. "Are you sure you're alright?"

"Milo," I whine, attempting to fix the smudged mascara under my eyes as Milo zips up my dress. I spin around, taking a deep breath. "How do I look? Normal? Good?"

"You look amazing, tesoro," Milo chuckles, reaching for the tiara on the vanity and placing it on top of my head. "Like a queen." He arches down, giving me a lingering kiss. "I love you, baby. I will see you at the altar."

Oh, God.

"I love you too," I whimper, fixing my hair as Milo heads to the door. He tosses me a wink before twisting the handle.

"Julia," he states in a cool tone, nodding at his sister. "She is all yours." He pauses, a grin on his face. "For now."

"What are you—" Julia's eyes widen as her gaze darts between the two of us. "Are you fucking kidding me? Three hours! You could not have waited three fucking hours? Dio mio —" She slaps Milo's shoulder. "Go downstairs! You are late!" She rushes inside the room, shaking her head in disapproval. "Oh, for fuck's sakes, cara! You look like you were swept up in a fucking tornado!"

"It's not that bad!" I insist as Julia grabs a brush off the vanity table. She scolds me under her breath while touching up my make-up. "Better?"

"Lucky for you, I am extremely talented," Julia huffs, examining her handy work. She tucks back a strand of my curled hair. "Alright, Kiara. Now you are ready." She tilts her head. "You are ready, no?"

"Yes," I say, taking a comforting breath as I glance at myself in the mirror. "I'm ready."

"Fantastic!" Julia exclaims, grabbing my hand as she leads me out of the suite, toward the gardens. " Andiamo !"

When we get downstairs, Luisa hands me my bouquet, a small frown on her face. "You look beautiful, Kiara."

"What's wrong?" I ask, tilting my head as classical music starts playing. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," she sighs. "My father hasn't called yet, that is all." She shakes her head. "Don't worry about it, Kiara. Enjoy this moment, yes? You will only get one."

"It is time," Julia says, nodding at the French doors. "Remember to breathe, Kiara. Ignore everyone else, just focus on Milo."

"I'm ready," I whisper as two attendants open the doors.

Luisa and Julia walk slowly ahead of me down the navy-blue carpet. I close my eyes, feeling the presence of my family. They're here. With me. Watching. Smiling. Loving. I nod, stepping through the threshold.

I'm ready.

The garden is decorated with dozens of chandeliers hung from exposed golden beams, extravagant arrangements of pastel florals, and strands of crystals strung over the hundreds of seated guests.

Canon in D Major fills the air as I stride through the white rose petals, distant whispers and murmurs from the attendees barely registering in my head as I see Milo standing at the altar, his eyes on me, only me.

It's just us.

No one else.

With every step I take, I am walking away from my past and toward my future. Toward an ocean of endless opportunities, infinite love, and boundless faith.

There will be noise. There will be storms. There will be waves. But I'm not scared. Not one bit.

He is my life raft.

And I am his.

Together, we will weather all storms.

Together, we will cause the storms.

We will blow the world away.

We will be remembered.

Forever.

Milo holds out his hand as I step up on the platform, handing Julia my bouquet. He smiles at me, mouthing relax, tesoro as we face the priest.

I nod, my body humming with excitement.

"We are gathered here today to celebrate the joining of two hearts. In this ceremony we will witness the union of Emilio Di Vaio and Kiara Payne," the priest begins. "If there is anyone present who has just cause why this couple should not be united, let them speak now or forever hold their peace."

Milo looks over his shoulder, his eyes hardened. I suppress a chuckle. Not a peep from the guests. I suppose no one wishes to die tonight.

"Good," the priest continues. "You have come together today so that the Lord may seal and strengthen your love in the presence of God—" Milo squeezes my hand as the sermon continues. "The bride and groom have written their own vows. Emilio."

Milo takes a small breath, the moonlight glowing in his eyes. "Kiara, my vow to you is simple. I vow to bring you joy every day of your life. I vow to never make you cry. And I vow to love you, even after death, for death cannot stop me." My eyes well up. "No tears, tesoro."

"Okay." I sniffle, nodding my head. Breathe . "Milo, I've spent the majority of my life running away. From regrets, from pain, from mistakes. But starting today, I vow to you that the only place I will run is into your arms, nowhere else. I promise. "

The priest smiles. "Emilio, do you take Kiara to be your Wife?"

It's instant. No hesitation. No doubt. "I do."

"Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect her, forsaking all others and holding only unto her forevermore?"

"I do."

"Kiara, do you take Emilio to be your Hus?—"

"I do," I say, grinning at Milo.

"Okay," the priest chuckles under his breath. "Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect him, forsaking all others and holding only unto him forevermore?"

"Yes. I do."

"Rings please." Julia hands the priest two rings. "The ring is a symbol of the unbroken circle of love. May these rings always remind you of the vows you have taken. Repeat after me?—"

And we do.

As golden rings slide on our fingers and bind us together for life, we promise to love each other in joy and in sorrow, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health.

In light and in darkness.

With our fingers linked, we stare up at the priest with hopeful, dreamy eyes, waiting for him to say the words that will launch a new reign.

For Milo, I will be strong. I will be tough.

For my child, I will be gentle. I will be warm .

For myself, I will be kind. I will be smart.

And for my new family, I will be ruthless.

I will be a queen.

"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife." The priest looks at Milo. "You may kiss your bride."

I gasp as fireworks crackle in the air, lighting the dark sky on fire.

"Come here, Wife ," Milo grins, raking his fingers through my hair, his soft lips slamming against mine. "You are mine forever, tesoro."

"Forever?" I whisper, melting into his touch as applause and cheers surround us. "That doesn't seem nearly long enough."

Thousands of miles away, at this very moment, a warehouse full of weapons is being bombed and a man's life is ending.

This whole chapter is ending.

It's finished. It's finally over.

As red and white sparks twinkle in the sky and cascade down, I stare at my husband, taking in his rich brown eyes and the future they hold.

A life might be ending.

But mine is just beginning.

A life with him.

My husband. My king. My love.

Milo.