A Mafia Pact

14

The ceremony was beautiful. The priest was one that had known their families for a while and infused some cheeky jokes that had the crowd laughing. When it was time to say their vows, Luciano was nervous. He didn't know why he had allowed Annalise to convince him that it would be better if they wrote their own. He wanted the standard crap with all the "have and to holds" and "death do them part," but no he had to succumb and try and be romantic. "Here goes nothing," Luciano breathed out causing a few laughs.

"Today, surrounded by all of our loved ones, I choose you Annalise LaRue to be my wife. I am proud to be your husband and to join my life with yours. I vow to support you, inspire you, and love you always. For as long as we both shall live, I will be by your side–for better or worse, in sickness and health, for richer or poorer. You are my one and only today and every day. I give you my love. I give you myself, the good, the bad, and the yet to come. Not only do I promise that my love for you will grow with each day, but I promise to be your best friend and partner every step of the way."

Annalise let the tears fall as she looked up into Luciano's green eyes. "I love you," she whispered to him and in that moment, Luciano didn't realize how much he needed to hear those words from her. "I love you more." He whispered back as he traced her lower lip with his thumb. "Annalise, it's your turn." The elderly priest smiled at the loving couple. "Oh, right," she chuckled lightly.

"Today I say, "I do" but to me that means, "I will". I will take your hand and stand by your side as your wife in the good and the bad. I dedicate myself to your happiness, success, and smile. I love you Luciano Gianni with my whole heart with a passion that can't be expressed in words, only in kisses, glances, and years of adventure by your side. I promise to be your honest, faithful, and loving wife for the rest of my days. I pledge to honor you, love you and cherish you as my husband today and every day. I will love you forever."

A second passed before Luciano was pulling Annalise in for a deep kiss. "It's not time for that yet!" Anastasiya scolded causing the crowd to laugh. "Sorry," Luciano breathed against her lips before pulling back with a genuine smile on his face. The priest finished up quickly as he could tell Luciano was getting antsy. "I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may kiss-" Luciano waved him off before pulling Annalise against him. She could help but chuckle into the kiss until he deepened it. 

Cheers could be heard all around, but Luciano didn't care. He wanted to brand her right then and there for the world to know that she was in fact his wife, his partner, his. "Babe," Annalise spoke against his lips as she pressed her palms on his chest. "We have a reception to attend to and guests to see." He huffed loud enough for her to hear. "I need you now." She gave him a quick peck and mouthed later before reaching for his hand as he walked them down the aisle.

Luciano didn't know how popular his wife was until they were walking down the aisle. She said greetings to almost everyone and in various languages. As they made their way into the west wing of the Rossi estate where the reception would be held, he couldn't help but smile at the happy expression on Annalise's face. It was apparent she hadn't seen the décor before now and she loved it. "It's beautiful." 

Annalise was amazed by all the flowers and place settings. The tables were decorated in the prettiest of whites and silvers and blacks. "You're beautiful." He said as he pulled her in. "I don't know if my husband would appreciate you talking to me like that." Luciano smiled widely. "Well, he's one lucky man." She shook her head before pecking his lips. "I'm the lucky one."

Guests filed in and sat in their designated seats. Adele worked tirelessly to ensure families that weren't too fond of one another were at polar opposite ends of the room, while close knit allies sat together. They all sat and talked as lunch was served. Heads of various families made their way to the table set for just Luciano and Annalise and Luciano was already growing bored and tired. Annalise would pinch him to put a smile on his face, but it turned out to be more of a grimace. 

"Thank you so much for coming, Sal." Annalise held the hand of an older man Luciano found out was the head of a Venezuelan family. "Anything for you, Lala. Anything." He smiled kindly at her before heading back to his table. "Lala?" Luciano quirked an eyebrow. "Don't be jealous. He's old enough to be our Dad. Besides my middle name is LaRue and everyone wants their own unique nickname." He nodded before scanning the room.

He watched as his brother and Brandon laughed about something, while Anastasiya and Desi talked about the other daughters present. It was obvious a lot of them did not like his wife. The daughters belonging to the families that were Rossi allies were obviously jealous that she got him and they didn't. He couldn't help but notice a few daughters of the Monroe allies giving Annalise the stink eye. 

"Don't mind them," Annalise said nibbling on her salad. "They're just mad that I have more weight and power than they do." Luciano looked at his wife. "Girls like Anastasiya and I aren't like most daughters of the mob. We have clout. We are recognized by the men not solely for our physical assets. They hate us for that." She shrugged taking another bite.

Luciano realized in that moment how big of a deal his wife was. She wasn't like the other girls in the mob. She had made a name for herself all on her own and he was even more proud to call her his. Desi was a little badass in that she knew her way around some weapons, but Annalise was a natural. 

She handled herself with a finesse that made all of the families present admire and respect her. It made him question why Maxwell Monroe would agree to letting such a valuable asset go. Financially both families were beyond wealthy. Physically their presence in the mafia world was notorious and renowned. He couldn't shake the feeling though that Annalise got the wrong end of the deal.

The bride and groom were called to have their first dance and Luciano could see just how happy Annalise was. He knew it would have to do with the song as he wanted no part in the wedding plan as long as she was happy. A soft country beat started playing and Luciano couldn't help but chuckle and groan. 

Maren Morris could be heard singing through the speakers as they rocked to the song 'The Bones.' "How did I know you were going to pick a country song?" She giggled as he twirled her and then pulled her back in. "Because you know me. This song describes exactly what I want for our marriage." He took the time as he danced with her to listen to the words and smirked. If he had envisioned a theme song for their union this would definitely be it.

It was time for the father daughter dance and Annalise had managed to make all of the older men tear up as she and Maxwell danced to Daughters by John Mayer. Luciano watched as father and daughter shared secrets and laughs that ended with a teary-eyed Maxwell and a grateful Annalise. 

As Amelia smiled and motioned for her son to come to her Luciano groaned. He hated dancing. Well, he didn't mind dancing with Annalise in a club pressed against him. He quite loved that dancing. He hated formal dancing. As 'God Only Knows' by the Beach Boys began playing he chuckled to himself as his mother took his hand. He looked up to see Annalise blow him a kiss.

"You two are going to make one another very happy. You do right by her, Gianni. She's special that one." He nodded his head as he listened to his mother lecture him on not waiting too long to give her grandchildren. "I want a whole football team of them," Amelia smiled happily. "Adele and I want our hands full." He chuckled at her before nodding. He didn't know where Annalise was on the children topic, but he did want a mini him and a mini her running around. 

As the song came to an end, he gave his mother a kiss on her temple before giving her to his father. More couples came out on the dance floor as the DJ played songs to get everyone moving. They were so engrossed in what they were doing that no one had noticed the men that had slowly infiltrated their way onto the estate and into the room. It wasn't until gunshots were fired that everyone knew something was wrong.