Chapter 182

Alcee entered the chapel, escorted by security team Torq arranged for her and accompanied by Brunella. Her girlfriends were waiting for her in the vestibule as was Cicciu.

She squeezed Brunella’s hand, “I’m really nervous,”

“To marry Torq?”

To do it in front of all these people.” She whispered back, twisting her lips. “I had no problem at all at the courthouse, but this is all eyes on us and it’s uncomfortable.”

“You had no trouble putting on a show at the dinner. What’s the difference today?”

“At the dinner,Iwas defending my family, and it felt good to do that. This is exposing my emotions and feelings in front of a bunch of people, some of whom I’m not very happy with as of late. It’s making me feel like I’m at risk and vulnerable.”

Brunella sighed as she adjusted the veil which hung over Alcee’s shoulders. “I can understand this, but do you know what I’ve learned about you in a short time, Alcee?”

“What?” she stared at the woman who felt more like her mother than her own ever did and waited for the words of wisdom to come which would immediately make her feel better. Brunella didn’t disappoint.

“You are the bravest, strongest woman, I know. You are caring, compassionate and loving and you come from a home where this is not the norm. Yet, you get up every day, face the world head on and demonstrate to your son what it means to be resilient. You fear many things, Alcee, but you don’t let fear stop you. You challenge the status quo with passion and verve. You don’t back down and you stand your ground with grace and dignity. Someday, I hope to see a granddaughter in my life and there is nothing which will make me prouder than for her to call you mom or tia. The women in this family will lookupto you, always, because you don’t hide behind your fear. You don’t hide behind anything. I’m proud of you, Alcee. Torquato is a very lucky man today. Don’t you ever let him forget it.”

Alcee stepped into Brunella’s warm hug and leaned into her, breathing in the love she felt radiating off this woman.

“It’s okay to be nervous, Alcee. Just remember,your family is here to support you and anyone who does anything other than exactly this will face very swift retribution.”

“Thank youMama.” She whispered in Brunella’s ear.

“You’re welcome, my dear daughter.”Brunella kissed her cheek.

Lorita’s voice called from the doorway, “seriously,why are you hanging around out here? The man is about to piss himself out of fear she’s run off out of the country. You need togetup there before he starts shooting people out of irritation.”Lorita rolled her eyes, “he’s always so quick to jump to murder. Iheardhimsaysomething about killing the priest,Mama.

“What?”

“Hethinks Alcee heard about Avalanche and made a run for it to leave him to fend with the dog and Antero on his own. Antero’s been a right little shit,” Lorita made eyesatAlcee,“don’ttellhim I said that,but he’s been demanding and sour and it’s because of the crowd. Torq is dreading another Antero meltdown. It’s all he can do to give him Avalanche and not cry himself.”

“Avalanche?”Alcee scrunched up her nose as Lorita spoke in arush, so fast Alcee was barely hearing her words. “What did I hear about the dog? Oh, God, tell me hedidn’tgetanother dog”

“No. He brought Avalanchetochurch.”

“He brought the dog intothehouse of God?Brunella’svoice was frosty.

pura Antero was freakingoutandrefusingtocomewithout the dog. They debated how to make him understand and said only service dogs enghi comur in Baniero suggested theyputaservicedog jacket on the dogandAvalanche is at thealtarsitting like a good girl beside Antero. Andero, by the way, has a mouthful of candy.It’show Torq is keeping him from freaking out with the crowd watching them.”

*He isleedingAntes candy, and he brought Avalanche to church?” Alcee was struggling not to giggle as Brunella hissedaslew of rageful words

“Avalancar is at the altar and better behaved than Tito and Bastian combined. They’vebeencracking jokes atTorg’sexpense for the last thirty mutes.” Lowitastrugged, “and a bat of the jokes are matchurchappropriate. Pas surprised neither ofthemhave been hit with a blast of

Chapter 182

lightening.”

“I suppose this means I should go up there and remind them where they are.” Brunella huffed angrily and then looked at Alcee, “you look beautiful and I’m proud to call you daughter.”

“Thank you,Mama.” She shrugged but then tugged Brunella’s hand, “if Avalanche is being good and it’s keeping Antero calm,leave her there.I’m sure it’s better to keep Antero from freaking out. I just hope she doesn’t pee on the altar.”

A string of Italian fell out of Brunella’s mouth at the notion of urine in the church and she was off, marching down the aisle in the direction of the altar with Lorita hot on hertail.

“Wasn’t someone supposed to escort her down?” Alcee asked curiously to Susana, Amal and Cicciu who were watching the exchange with wide grins.

NJ! W

“Yes. Bastiano was supposed to come collect her, but he was distracted by razzing Torq.” Amal shrugged.

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“Are you ready to get this show on the road so wecanget the dog out of the church before Brunella combusts?”Cicciu extended his elbow to her

“Yes.”

“You look stunningly beautiful, Alcee.Ifeel mysonmayweeptears of joy to see you walking towards him.”

“Thank you Papa,”she stood on tiptoe andkissedhis cheek. “I’m glad you are here to do this with me.”

“I am truly honored.”

Amal ducked her head through the doors to the church and waved at someone inside.“Then let’s do this, Alcee. Let’sgetyoumarried to The

Grizzly!”

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