“Your blessing.”
If he refused to bless their upcoming marriage, it would break her grandmother’s heart. But she had her doubts. If Father Basil knew Klaus’s reputation as she did, he’d banish him from the church forever. Maybe condemn him to hell.
“My blessing?”
“We’re due to be married by week’s end,” she said. “This is my fiancé.”
“I have no record of an upcoming wedding for you this week, Isabella.”
She wet her lips. “The final arrangements are still being made. I understand you’re booked up for the year, but I’d still love your blessing. It means a lot to our family.”
“Where will you say your vows?” he asked.
“Right here,” said Klaus, garnering both their attention. His voice was deep and gruff, confident and authoritative.
“Excuse me?” asked Father Basil.
“My father will be in contact with the exact day and time. I’m sure it will be a memorable ceremony.”
What was Klaus doing? There was no way they could get into this church in less than a week. It was unheard of, even for most elite members of society.
“I hope marriage will be your turning point, Klaus Giovanni Accardi.”
Her priest knew Klaus?
“You have my blessing, Isabella. I look forward to marrying you both.” He glared at Klaus, somewhat discreetly, then turned to the next couple beckoning for his attention.
“You know Father Basil?” she whispered.
“He baptized me.”
Her mouth parted. “Then why does he hate you?”
“I’ve been a bad boy.”
Chapter Three
After dropping Bella off at home, Klaus didn’t see her for the remainder of the week. Instead, he’d gotten immersed in his work. If he even allowed himself the pleasure of going to see his woman, he wouldn’t be able to leave her with her father. Lastra had been waiting for her. Bella had shaken in his arms, but one glance at his own father, and he knew he had to bide his time.
If he did something to mess up this union, there would be more bloodshed, and he wouldn’t get Bella all to himself. In the last few days, she was all he could think about, and now as he stood inside the church with Father Basil a few feet away, he was more than ready to get this show over with.
The Lastra family took up one side of the church, while his own family took up the other. There was no mingling, no pleasantries being given. Two divided families who were still separated by their mutual hatred of one another.
Running his fingers through his hair, he caught sight of a couple of women his father had introduced him to earlier.
“A virgin on the wedding night is necessary, but don’t worry, my son, I have required entertainment for you.”
The women weren’t necessary. There was only one woman he wanted to be with tonight, his wife. She had arrived an hour ago, but for some reason, was being held up. She was close, in the church.
Staring out across the ground floor, he wanted to kill every single last one of the Lastras. To have their blood flowing on the ground.
Without them, there would be no Bella.
He didn’t know Isabella. Had only spoken to her that evening at the restaurant, but this intense feeling toward her wouldn’t fade. Women were nothing more than a passing fancy to him. They amused him, and at the end of the day, he loved to fuck. Even when he lost his virginity, one of his favorite hobbies was to bring a woman to orgasm and have her begging for more before he was done. He loved to push them to the limit, to see how much their bodies could take.
Now, all he wanted was Bella. He wanted her virgin blood on his cock. Knowing she hadn’t been with any other man brought out a new possessiveness in him.
Bella would belong entirely to him. He’d make sure no one else ever got to taste her sweetness.
His father came toward him. “How are you holding up, son?”
“Where is she?”
“She’s getting ready and will be yours very soon.”
He still wasn’t happy. Staring out across the church, he saw the women both staring at him. “I want those sluts gone.”
“You’ll need them, Klaus. Don’t fight me on this.”
“I don’t want those women here. On my wedding day. The only woman I want today is Bella.”
“You forget your place. You are my heir—”
“And I’ve all but taken your place but for the title, Father. Don’t forget who’s really running the show here. You can’t keep these men in control, but I can. I do your job for you.”
It was only going to be another couple of years, which was a respectable timeframe for his father to officially hand over the family empire. Klaus had taken over from him long before now. His father had made several bad decisions, including fathering at least six children with different mistresses. They all cost a small fortune. Not to mention his recent mistress had him addicted to drugs as well. Things had been going downhill ever since his mother’s death and keeping that from their enemies had been a struggle. The moment he forced rehab and a constant companion on his ass, he knew his father’s days were over. The business was all his. Now, he just needed to make sure there was something to actually have at the end of it.
His brothers didn’t know the true extent of their father’s failure, and they never would. He’d be sure of it.
The commotion within the church stopped, drawing his attention to the church doors. Six bridesmaids in total stood waiting. The music began to play, signaling the wedding was about to start.
The women were beautiful.
What he’d come to see from the Lastra family was that they only believed in money and beauty. They were greedy assholes. He despised them all, apart from Bella.
Once the bridesmaids were all lined up, he didn’t bother to look in their direction again. It was now his bride. Her face
