Chapter 9 - The Vow at the Altar
At precisely twelve o'clock, the grand organ in the ballroom began to play the traditional wedding march.
Three hundred distinguished guests stood up from their golden seats, looking toward the grand double doors at the rear of the hall.
Alessandro stood at the head of the altar, his broad-shouldered frame motionless, his dark eyes cold and steady as he watched the doors open. Beside him stood the ordained minister and Arthur Vance, who held a heavy leather folder containing the master legal contracts.
Genevieve walked down the white silk aisle, her flowing train gliding smoothly over the polished marble floor. She held her orchid bouquet gracefully, her blue eyes shining with artificial tears of joy as she looked at her handsome mafia boss groom.
She reached the altar, stepping up to stand opposite Alessandro. She offered him a soft, breathtaking smile—the same sweet, radiant smile she had used to deceive him for six months.
Alessandro stared back at her, his rugged face devoid of all emotion.
The minister began the ceremony, his voice echoing clearly across the silent ballroom: "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to unite Alessandro Rienzi and Genevieve Ashworth in the sacred bond of holy matrimony..."
As the minister spoke the traditional opening prayers, Genevieve subtly shifted her hands on her bouquet, slipping her thumb beneath the silk ribbon to feel the cold silver vial hidden within the stems.
"...If any person here present knows any just cause why these two should not be joined together, let them speak now, or forever hold their peace," the minister announced.
The ballroom fell into a quiet, solemn hush.
Genevieve’s smile broadened slightly, her heart leaping with victory as no one stepped forward.
"Then," the minister continued, opening the legal registry, "we shall proceed to the signing of the master covenant."
Arthur Vance stepped forward, laying the heavy leather folder flat on the altar table between Alessandro and Genevieve. He opened the pages, placing a gold fountain pen on the white paper.
Genevieve reached out her gloved hand, picking up the pen with eager, trembling fingers. She leaned over the table to sign her name on the primary line.
"Read the header before you sign, Genevieve," Alessandro’s deep, gravelly voice suddenly rang out through the quiet hall.
Genevieve froze. Her pen hovered an inch above the paper.
She looked down at the top of page one.
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Instead of the prenuptial property transfer clause her lawyers had prepared, the title on the document read: SWORN CONFESSION AND SURRENDER OF ASSETS — THE STATE OF NEW YORK VS. GENEVIEVE ASHWORTH AND THE FALCONE SYNDICATE.
Genevieve’s face drained of all color. Her blue eyes widened in sheer, naked terror as the pen slipped from her trembling fingers and clattered onto the marble floor.
