TONY: Slow Burn (Raging Fire Book 1) by Kallypso Masters (the false prince TXT) 📕

the courthouse told us about the modern way elopement works,” Mama G said. “But Paul and I opted to do it the old-fashioned way in front of a priest.” She gave Tony a look of disappointment. That she and Tony had married without her and the rest of the family present might be part of it, albeit hypocritical, but Carm guessed that the lack of a priest is what really bugged her. Just like Mama.

Clearly, this wasn’t going over very well. Not that she thought it would.

Tony cleared his throat. “We chose last night to marry because we knew we’d all be together today to celebrate with you, our famiglia.”

Marc came across the room to wrap her in a tight hug. “I wish I were as brave as you two were, Carm,” he whispered. When Marc pulled away, she saw Angelina giving Tony a hug.

“We’re so happy for you both,” Angelina said, “and honored that you chose this occasion and our home to announce your wonderful news.” As Marc reached out to shake Tony’s hand, Angelina switched places with him and gave her a hug. “Congratulations to you both. You look so happy. I could cry a bucket of happy tears.”

And in an instant, the joy of the occasion returned to Carm’s heart.

Angelina shouted across the room’s chatter, “Matt, make sure everyone has a glass of wine so we can have a toast to our newlyweds.”

Carm cowardly avoided looking at either of their mothers, but Matt soon had full glasses in everyone’s hands.

Marc raised his toward the two of them. “Cent’anni! Salute! Evviva gli sposi!” Hearing the words spoken for her and Tony by her own brother filled her with joy. This time, the blessings were being asked on their behalf and over their marriage. Tears of joy filled her eyes.

As she sipped her wine, she glanced at Mama over the top of her glass. She hadn’t lifted hers to toast them. The tears welling in Carm’s eyes began to sting. She’d never done anything spontaneous before and the first time she did, look what happened. How could they fix this?

Before she could say or do anything, Tony spoke again. “We recorded our wedding ceremony and can show you after dinner how beautiful and special it was.” He turned toward her and smiled. “The most beautiful woman in the world—inside and out—became my bride last night.” He turned toward their mothers in particular. “No one can make that a negative thing, and I won’t stand by and have anyone make my wife cry. Ever.”

Mama glanced down, almost sheepishly. That Tony would stand up to her as well as his own mama filled Carm with surprise and some elation. He’d vowed to protect her. She supposed that included protection from her own family.

Papa came toward her, and she braced herself, not sure what his response would be. “My one and only daughter, I am so happy you have found someone to love you, to keep up with you, to complete you, and to bring you the kind of joy I saw on your face when you came into the room tonight. God is everywhere, especially in nature. I have no doubt He was there as you made your wedding vows and that He will be ever-present in your marriage.” His last words seemed intended for anyone in the room who thought their wedding wasn’t valid.

“Oh, Papa!” She set her glass on the island, and the two wrapped their arms around each other. “Don’t worry about Mama,” he whispered. “She only wants you to be happy. She will come around, with some nudging from me perhaps. But possibly not as early as tonight.”

“Thank you, Papa. It would mean the world to us if we had your blessing, even if we didn’t do this in the traditional way.”

He pulled away, glancing first at Tony and then back at her. “Actually, your groom stopped by to see me to ask for my blessing.”

She turned to Tony and raised her eyebrows in confusion. “You did? When?”

“Before I picked you up at your office. I guess I’m old-fashioned about some things and felt bad that I hadn’t been able to ask before I proposed because your parent were on their cruise.”

“That’s so sweet of you!” She moved into her husband’s arms and kissed him, unconcerned who watched and knowing everyone did. A loud cheer arose from those assembled—well, she hoped everyone had joined in, but she refused to let her joy be dampened. Mama would come around—eventually. Papa always knew how to sway her in his quiet, subtle way.

To Tony, after the noise died down, she said, “I didn’t think I could love you any more, and then you went and did something special for me like that. Perfection, Tony.”

Halfway through the courses of dishes featuring the seven fishes, on the playlist of songs about fish and the sea that Franco had put together, Tony heard Dean Martin’s “How Deep is the Ocean?” begin. It wouldn’t be Christmas Eve without those old songs Papa loved so much.

He leaned in to Carmella’s ear and whispered, “Listen to those words. That’s how I feel about you, dolcezza.”

She listened to Dino singing a few lines about how much he loved the woman in his life and smiled. “I feel the same way toward you. And I always will.” They kissed briefly.

“Get a room, you two lovebirds,” Matt teased.

Carmella became a little flustered and pulled away, and Tony wanted to punch Matt in the mouth for interrupting them. But they would have their own room tonight and could kiss as much as they wanted. The Feast had now progressed to the time when he planned to introduce Carmella to the dish he’d made for her earlier this evening.

The initial shock of their wedding announcement had worn off for most, not that Mama D’Alessio had come anywhere near them to offer her congratulations yet. She currently sat at the opposite end of the long table from where Tony and