I'm stacking glasses behind the bar when my mother grabs my wrist hard enough to hurt.
Rosa: You're done here. Take off that apron, we're leaving.
She doesn't say please. Rosa never does.
Lola: What the fuck, Ma?
Rosa: Don't you dare make a scene, you stupid bitch.
Her palm cracks across my cheek before I can get the rest out.
Rosa: Your sister got on a bus tonight. She's not coming back.
Lola: So what? You want me to call the Rizzos and say sorry?
Rosa: I want you to be her. One night. Smile and keep your mouth shut.
Rosa drags Bettina's wedding dress over my uniform and yanks the zipper up so fast it pinches my skin.
Lola: This is insane. They'll know. Nobody's that stupid.
Rosa: The Rizzos don't give a shit about smart. They care about a bride.
My father drives. He keeps his eyes on the road like the mirror might bite him.
Lola: Dad. Say something. Please.
Enzo: Just do what your mother says tonight.
The Marigold glows like a wedding cake, all gold light and paid smiles.
Rosa: Stand up straight. Bettina stands straight.
My knees feel like water, and every step into that light feels like walking into a trap.
Dante Rizzo waits at the altar in a black suit, and the whole room goes quiet when he looks at me.
Not a monster. Just a man with money and teeth. Somehow that's worse.
Dante: You're late.
Lola: Traffic.
Dante: Bettina is never late.
The priest asks if I take him. My voice shakes on the two small words.
Lola: I do.
Dante hears the shake. Something moves behind his eyes, and he doesn't look away.
He takes my chin between two fingers and tilts my face up, and the priest is still talking when he kisses me.
His mouth is hard and warm. I grip his lapel because my legs forget how to stand.
His hand drops low and slides under the hem of Bettina's dress, right here, with a hundred people watching.
Dante: Interesting.
I grab his wrist. He doesn't stop. He just watches my face and drags his thumb up my skin.
Dante: Quiet now. Or everyone will hear how much you like it.
I want to die. I also want him to keep going, and that's the worst part of all of it.
Dante: Don't fucking move until I'm done.
In the back of his car the windows are black, and his hand finds my thigh again, higher this time.
Dante: Tell me your name.
Lola: Bettina.
His fingers dig into my leg hard enough to leave marks. A bruise tomorrow, I can already tell.
Dante: Say it again. This time like you mean it.
Lola: Bettina. Bettina Rizzo. Happy?
I should slap him. Instead I lean in and press my leg against his palm like a fool.
He makes a low sound in his chest. His thumb finds the edge of my underwear, and he stops right there.
Dante: You know what happens to people who lie to me? They get hurt, and their family watches.
He says my father's name like he's tasting it. My stomach drops through the seat.
Dante: Run, and I'll bring you back. You won't like how.
Dante: Bettina hates this perfume.
My blood goes cold. I open my mouth and nothing comes out.
Lola: It's new.
He smiles like he already knows the answer. I don't think the dress hid a thing.