Mercy Undeserved by Kristina Hall

Author:Kristina Hall
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: christian historical romance fiction, mobster books, mafia books, crime family, christian historical suspense, single mom, marriage of convenience
Publisher: Kristina Hall
Published: 2021-08-28T16:00:00+00:00

ONCE, SHE’D STOOD AT the front of an ornate church, draped in a gown of white silk. Now, she stood in the Scrantons’ parlor, clad in a traveling suit of navy blue. Once, hundreds of people had clustered the pews as witnesses to her wedding vows. Now, the audience consisted of Mrs. Scranton, the Scrantons’ three daughters, two of Scranton’s deacons, and Matteo in Sarah’s arms. Once, her groom’s eyes had held love and the promise of a wonderful future. Now, his eyes held only trepidation and a shadow of pain.

She clasped Alberto’s left hand between her two hands. Though he stood unwavering before her, his color good, a sling still bound his right arm to his chest. His fingers curled around hers, strong and calloused.

Four days. Four days since she’d agreed to be his wife.

Scranton closed his Bible and set it on the mantle behind him. “I now pronounce you man and wife.” Calm radiated from his face. Calm completely foreign to the churning that had taken over her stomach. “You may kiss the bride.”

She tilted her head up, let her eyes fall shut. The dutiful wife she’d vowed to be.

His lips brushed hers with a gentleness far removed from Vin’s passion. There one second, gone the next.

She opened her eyes to a round of applause and giggles from the Scrantons’ three daughters.

Alberto met her eyes and offered a shadow of a smile.

Her husband. Though he’d combed his black hair and shaved, he would always bear the scars won from a life of fighting. Scars mingled with healing red gashes he’d earned because of her.

He wasn’t Vin. But he was her husband.

With a light tug on her hand, he drew her to his side. She released his hand and threaded her arm through his.

Scranton stepped in front of them, gave her hand a light squeeze, and clapped Alberto on his good shoulder. “I’ll be the first to offer my congratulations.”

“Only fitting.” Alberto’s voice dipped low, meant for her ears and Scranton’s alone.

A smile tugged at her lips, and she let it broaden. A woman should smile on her wedding day, if only for the sake of her guests.

Scranton raised an eyebrow and shook his head. “I don’t know what I’m going to do with you.”

Mrs. Scranton bustled to them and nudged Scranton aside. “You’re monopolizing their company, John.”

He gave her a fond look and stepped farther to the side.

Mrs. Scranton looped her arms around Lillian’s neck and pressed a kiss to her cheek. “I’m happy for you, dear.”

If only some of that happiness could be hers. If only she had the promise of a marriage like the Scrantons’.

Mrs. Scranton eased back. “I’ll be praying for you.”

Then she stepped to Alberto and wrapped him in a gentle hug. “Take good care of her.”

He stood motionless in her embrace, his free arm still tucked in Lillian’s. “I will.”

Mrs. Scranton stepped back and patted his good arm. “And yourself. It’d be best for you to avoid jumping through windows in the future.”

He smiled at that, then winced.

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