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“The presentation of the sheets?” I asked

Nina’s s when she said, “Didn’t your mother explain it to you?”

I glanced at ether, two red blotches appearing on her cheeks

“It’s a Sicilian tradition that the Faenerations,” Nina explained, eyes fixed on room’s family coht on Then those sheets are presented to the fathers of the bride and the grooe has been consummated and that the bride was pure”

Cosiled “It’s also called tradition of the bloody sheets for that reason”

My face was frozen

“That’s a barbaric tradition!” Gianna hissed “Mother, you can’t allow it”

“It’s not up to me,” Mother said

“That’s right We won’t abandon our traditions” Nina turned to me “And from what I know you’ve been well protected fro for you to fear The sheets will prove your honor”

Gianna’s lips curled, but all I could think about was that this tradition meant I definitely had to sleep with LucaCHAPTER FIVEThe afternoon before the wedding day, my family moved out of the Mandarin Oriental and headed for the Vitielloinspired by Italian palazzos surrounded by al and winding, and led past four double garages and two guesthouses until it ended in front of the led roof White marble statues stood at the base of the double staircase leading up to the front door

Inside, coffered ceilings, whitepool through the panorama s took my breath away Luca’s father and step where our bedrooms were situated

Gianna and I insisted on sharing a room I didn’t care if it made us look immature I needed her at an setting up the huge pavilion that would serve as church tomorrow Beyond it the ocean churned Luca wouldn’t arrive until the next day so we couldn’t cross paths by accident before the wedding, which would mean bad luck I honestly didn’t kno I could have any more bad luck than I already had

“Today’s the day!” Mother said with fake cheer

I dragged ru too early

Mother sighed “I can’t believe you shared a room like five year olds”

“Someone had to make sure Luca didn’t sneak in,” Gianna said from beneath the blanket

“Umberto patrolled the corridor”

“As if he would protect Aria fro up Her red hair was a mess

Mother pursed her lips “Your sister doesn’t need protection from her husband”

Gianna snorted, but Mother ignored her and ushered et you ready The Beautician will be here any second Grab a quick shower”

As the hot water poured down onfor so long Tonight I’d be Aria Vitiello, wife to the future Capo dei Capi, and forainst the shower cabin I wished I were like other brides I wished I could enjoy this day I wished I didn’t have to look forward toti