Red on the River - Page 92

Stella looked gorgeous in her wedding gown. Absolutely gorgeous. Vienna and Zahra fussed over her train to make certain it was perfect before they stepped away and took their places to go down the aisle with their partners. Zale was best man. He was escorting Zahra. Vienna recognized Wilder, who was partnered with Harlow. There was a man named Rush who would be escorting Vienna. She liked him. He was very quiet but had that same edge of power and danger clinging to him that Sam and Zale had. Vienna thought Rainier would be escorting Shabina, but he was nowhere to be seen. Instead, a compact, broad-shouldered man with a thick chest, shaggy black hair and startling green eyes accompanied Shabina. He was called Zyair, but she didn’t know if that was his last name or first.

As she waited to go down the aisle where Sam was standing, she noted his father’s woman, Charlene Bartolomeo, sitting up front, but the seats beside her reserved for Marco Rossi and Luciano Vitale were noticeably empty. She was pleased to see her mother and Ellen had made it and were seated where they could see Stella as she started down the aisle toward Sam. Most of the town of Knightly was there, including some members that were not always so nice, but that was Stella, including everyone.

There was a flurry of movement behind her and her escort, Rush, immediately thrust her behind him and produced a semi-automatic from somewhere in his immaculate suit. She had to admit, he looked extremely intimidating. There was no give to his broad body. None at all. He was built like a solid oak tree, although he could have blended easily into any group. His face was arresting, with a bluish-black shadow on his chiseled jaw and deep blue eyes.

Heart pounding, Vienna peeked around him. Several strangers in suits were surrounded by armed men. The strangers placed their weapons very carefully on the ground. Marco Rossi and Luciano Vitale walked confidently through the line of men surrounding the strangers. Rainier was with them.

“In case you aren’t aware of who I am,” Rossi began, “my name is Marco Rossi, and you’re interrupting my son’s wedding.” He pulled out his cell phone. “Let me just have a word with your boss.”

He spoke amicably enough, but a chill went down Vienna’s spine. Then Sam and Zale were standing beside Rossi. She didn’t like them so exposed. If this turned into a bloodbath, they would be the first ones hit. She also noticed that Sam had positioned his body slightly in front of his father. Although he had been estranged from his father and they were barely getting their relationship on track, Sam was the kind of man to protect family.

Rush leaned down to whisper into Vienna’s ear. “Zale wants you to step back even more. I don’t think there’s going to be trouble, but it would be a good idea to slide into the shadows close to the flower garden over there.” He indicated Stella’s garden, where the archway began the walk to the aisle. He really didn’t give Vienna much of a choice, crowding her with his larger body until she had to move back into the position the men wanted her. She noticed the other men were doing the same, maneuvering the wedding attendants out of harm’s way.

“If there’s a problem, run for the shelter of the reception building. The outdoor kitchen is better than nothing,” he added.

Vienna nodded, but her attention was on Marco Rossi, who had the phone to his ear. “Fredrick. Marco Rossi here.” His hand came up and gestured, indicating for the man on the other end of the phone to hurry up. “Yes. It is a surprise. The biggest surprise is I’m here at my son’s wedding and we have unexpected visitors. That’s what I’m calling about. The visitors showed up with weapons and have every intention of gunning down my son, his bride and all of her friends. Needless to say, I’m not too happy about that. My men aren’t too happy either. Did I miss something? Has your family declared war on mine?”

His voice had gone from friendly to deadly in the matter of seconds. Vienna’s heart began to pound. This really could turn bad, and Zale and Sam were front and center.

“The wedding is taking place right now, Bottaro. I was sitting in my chair waiting to see my son married when the call came that we had visitors. Their orders are to kill the entire wedding party. That’s plain enough. Stella Harrison is my son’s bride. Every member of the wedding party is under my protection. It’s bad enough that our little Raine is lying in a hospital at the moment and may still lose her leg. Incidentally, that won’t make me happy.”

There was more listening and more of Marco Rossi’s hand gestures. It was clear he was very used to instant compliance from those around him.

“Yes, Fredrick. I see where the confusion is. Let me explain this to you as plainly as I can. If one more member of my family—and that includes Vienna Mortenson—is threatened by your family or is injured or, God forbid, killed, I will take that as a declaration of war. If you have men going after Raine, they won’t get through her guards. Nevertheless, call them off. If that bastard Daniel Wallin puts out a hit on any of these women, you cancel it and him. A contract with any of their names on it will be considered a declaration of war. Have I made myself clear?”

More talking. This time Marco was nodding his head. “Yes. Thank you.” Now his voice was back to friendly. “I’ll make certain to get to Vegas. Lovely place. I’m going to put you on speaker so you can direct your men. Hopefully, they understand just how much trouble they were in and how badly this could have ended for them. Make them understand that they had better return immediately to Vegas.”

He put his phone on speaker and held it out for the strangers to hear. “This was a mistake, Andre. We don’t touch other families. Make your apologies and come on home.”

Marco cut off the call abruptly. “There it is, gentlemen. You have your orders. Get the hell off the property. If you’re seen again, you’ll be going home in a body bag.” Curtly, he turned on the heels of his elegant, highly polished Italian leather shoes and started toward the wedding venue. Luciano Vitale mirrored his movements, shielding his body from the others.

Sam and Zale walked close to Marco. “Thought you said you were finished with being head of the Rossi family,” Sam said, his voice tinged with amusement. “You even bought a house for your lady.”

Vienna could tell just from his voice that Sam had never believed his father’s declaration to step down.

“It isn’t that easy,” Marco said. “Let’s get you married.”

Sam and Zale went on down the aisle to take their places again. Marco and Luciano seated themselves, Marco taking the hand of Charlene. Rush offered his arm to Vienna. She placed her hand in the crook of his arm, but watched the strangers being escorted off the property by those surrounding them. She was pretty certain the men guarding the wedding were Elliot Blom’s men as much as Marco’s.

The music started and she followed Harlow and Wilder. Her gaze went to Zale, standing beside Sam. Zale Vizzini belonged with her and someday she was going to marry him. His eyes met hers and he smiled. Just that smile, reserved for her alone, sent an overwhelming wave of love for him through her. Maybe theirs wasn’t going to be the easygoing relationship that Stella and Sam had, but it would be unique and they’d learn along the way.

Zale put his hand over his heart. She put her hand over hers and then Rush was leaving her to stand with the men and she moved to take her place beside her friends.

Tags: Christine Feehan Romance
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