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“Why are you so quiet? This is the night before your wedding!” Bella, a cousin, around Draven's age squeaks in that annoying voice of hers She arrived fro over the rest of the arrangements with her ed, nothing for them to do They pouted as per but accepted it It's not like they can argue with him He's the head of the family, and they do as he tells them

“Yeah, I know” I try to force a smile for the, and I definitely can't let thenant, I'll never hear the end of it Isn't that what this is all about? My faot knocked up before I was married?

“You're going to be a beautiful bride, just as yourrandmother would

I ht now, Fia is my father's older sister, his much older sister, she looks like him, as did uncle Vinny, Avery also I sometimes wonder if she misses them, misses my father, but she was close to hter rather than a sister-in-law She died when I was too young, I needed her, and with one, the only person I had was Draven I never really had any female influence in my life because I wouldn't leave ive me tips on how to be a lady and how to dress

I used to love spending tiirl would do with hermytime

When I look at Draven, I see my mama so clearly in his brown eyes It hurts sometimes, but I feel like I still have her with me somehohen I look at hi and wrap my arms around my aunt's neck “Mio caro, whatever is the matter?” She soothes in her thick Italian accent

“I'm just so happy you're here,”

“Oh, my tesoro, I will always be here for you”

I know that to be true, and I know if I told her the truth, she'd tell o to Italy, that she'd take care of my baby and me However, I don't want that either I want Jett I want to be his wife I want the life he could give me I don't care that he's part of a motorcycle club, I don't care that he's a killer, I don't care that he hurts people for a living My brother has done the sa, worse, actually, all his life All of the death that surrounds me is normal to me No matter how crazy that sounds, it's just my life It's all I know

All too soon, the night is over, et soe into htwear I need beauty sleep, apparently However, as I stand in front ofat myself, I don't see who, independent woman, a bride-to-be with a wonderful life ahead of her, but all I see is a sad, lonely, scared woman with no way out of the life she must now lead

Tomorroill become Maria Addario when I should be Maria Jackson I strokenize ht, I have dark circles under my eyes, and my skin is pale

I can't afford to lose weight I' to my baby? I swear to God above that is not intentional Maybe it's normal? I don't know because I've never had a child before Makeup will hide the darkness under my eyes and even the paleness I hope

Is this as good as it gets?

Aain?

Well, of course, I a to have stuck in a house with a mother and father that don't even like each other? Jovanni is old school Italian, and he's going to Lord it all overhome every day to cook, clean and take care of the child, or children Because no doubt I'll be forced to haveHe'll want a son of his own, they all do

“You should be in bed” I heard him knock, but he entered before I told hi! However, s and I very ht for a second he ht see me naked

“I know, big day to to look at him

My brother shoves his hands in his trouser pockets, rolling his shoulders at the sa work is done with for today “When aain, Principessa?”

“I don't have much to smile about” And that's the truth I fold one arm around my body and clutch my hip while I tuck my hair behind my ear with the other