I couldn’t believe it. “Can’t you say no? You were already married.”
“But it was a childless marriage, and I’m too young to stay alone. I had to move back in with my family. My father insisted on it to protect me.”
We both knew that code. Women always needed protection from the outside world, especially if they were of a marriageable age. “I’m sorry,” I said.
“It is what it is. You know that as well as I do.”
I laughed bitterly. “Yeah.”
“I saw your future husband when I visited the Vitiello mansion with my parents yesterday. He’s…imposing.”
“Terrifying,” I added quietly. Valentina’s expression softened, but our conversation was cut short when Mother and Gianna came out of the bedroom. And soon after that more guests arrived.
The gifts were everything from lingerie and jewelry to certificates for a day at a luxury spa in New York. The lingerie was the worst though, and when I opened the gift from Luca’s stepmother Nina I had trouble keeping a straight face. I lifted the barely there white nightgown and smiled tightly. The entire middle was see-through, and it was so short it wouldn’t even cover much of my legs. Beneath it in the gift box was an even smaller piece of clothing: white lace panties that would reveal most of my butt and were held together by a bow in the back. A chorus of appreciative murmurs came from the women around me.
I gaped at the lingerie. Gianna tipped her finger inconspicuously against her temple.
“This is for your wedding night,” Nina said with a calculating glint in her eyes. “I bet Luca will love unwrapping you. We need to please our husbands. Luca will certainly expect something this daring.”
I nodded. “Thank you.”
Had Luca set his stepmother up to give this to me? I wouldn’t put it past him. Not after he’d gotten birth control for me. My stomach twisted with worry, and it only got worse when the women started talking about their wedding nights.
“I was so embarrassed when it was time for the presentation of the sheets!” Luca’s cousin Cosima stage-whispered.
“The presentation of the sheets?” I asked.
Nina’s smile was patronizing when she said, “Didn’t your mother explain it to you?”
I glanced at my mother who pressed her lips together, two red blotches appearing on her cheeks.
“It’s a Sicilian tradition that the Famiglia has proudly upheld for generations,” Nina explained, eyes fixed on my face. “After the wedding night, the women of the groom’s family come to the bridal pair to collect the sheets they spent the night on. Then those sheets are presented to the fathers of the bride and the groom and whoever else wants to see proof that the marriage has been consummated and that the bride was pure.”
Cosima giggled. “It’s also called the 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 from male attention, so there’s nothing 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 Luca.
CHAPTER FIVE
The afternoon before the wedding day, my family moved out of the Mandarin Oriental and headed for the Vitiello mansion in the Hamptons. It was a huge building inspired by Italian palazzos, surrounded by almost three acres of park-like grounds. The driveway was long and winding, and led past four double garages and two guesthouses until it ended in front of the mansion with its white front and red shingled roof. White marble statues stood at the base of the double staircase leading up to the front door.
Inside, coffered ceilings, white marble columns and floors, and a view of the bay and the long pool through the panoramic windows took my breath away. Luca’s father and stepmother led us toward the second floor of the left wing, 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 my side. From the window we could watch how the workers began 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 know how I could experience any more bad luck than I already had.
* * *
“Today’s the day!” Mother said with fake cheer.
I dragged myself out of bed. Gianna pulled the blankets over her head, grumbling something about it being 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 from Luca,” Gianna muttered, finally sitting 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 me into the bathroom. “We have to get you ready. The beautician will be here any second. Grab a quick shower.”
As the hot water poured down on me, realization set in. This was it, the day I’d been dreading for so long. Tonight I’d be Aria Vitiello, wife to the future Capo dei Capi, and former virgin. I leaned against the shower cabin. I wished I were like other brides. I wished I could enjoy this day. I wished I didn’t have to dread my wedding night, but I’d learned a long time ago that wishing didn’t change a thing.
When I stepped out of the shower, I felt cold. Even my fluffy bathrobe couldn’t stop my shivering. Someone knocked and Gianna entered with a cup and a bowl in her hand. “Coffee and fruit salad. Apparently you aren’t allowed to have pancakes because it could cause bloating. What bullshit.”
I took the coffee but shook my head at the food. “I’m not hungry.”
“You can’t go all day without eating or you’ll faint when you walk down the aisle.” She paused. “Though, on second thought, I’d love to see Luca’s face when you do.”
I sipped at the coffee, then took the bowl from Gianna and ate a few pieces of banana. I really didn’t want to faint. Father would be furious, and Luca probably wouldn’t be too happy about it either.
“The beautician has arrived with her entourage. You would think they need to prettify an army of fishwives,” Gianna muttered.
I smiled weakly. “Let’s not make them wait.”
Gianna’s worried gaze followed me as I walked into the bedroom, where Lily and my mother were already waiting with the three beauticians. They began their work at once, waxing our legs and armpits. When I thought the torture was over, the beautician asked, “Bikini zone? Do you know what your husband prefers?”
My cheeks exploded with heat. Mother actually looked at me for an answer. As if I knew the first thing about Luca and his preferences, especially concerning body hair.