AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I no longer care what anyone thinks. My entire perspective has shifted.
I could never remember what happened after Papa hit me. The coppery taste of blood in my mouth, the pain; that’s always been there. The next thing I recalled was being in the kitchen, dabbing at my cut lip with a paper towel.
It’s coming back to me now. The yelling, the crashing of furniture. I thought my father was simply raging, but it was a fight. A fight between him and Arman that would go on to have destructive consequences.
Like Vlad, Arman showed Sergey that he had a heart, which was an intolerable weakness to him. My father knew revenge was a dish best served cold and held out for his chance, knowing Arman would never allow my life to be forfeit.
Now he’s pissed off the entirety of East Coast mob society by summoning them to his wedding, only to dismiss them with no warning, and I thought he was in it for power? Today was his time to shine. He could have spent the reception cozying up to influential people and consolidating his position. Instead, he inconvenienced everyone from the loftiest mafia patriarchs to the most dangerous enforcers, and for what?
For me.
Arman saw past my anger because he knew it was an emotional misfire; I was simply afraid. Afraid of the ceremony, the many witnesses, the ritual, and the symbolism of it all. I was scared of him, too, but not anymore. I’m marrying a man whose loyalty to my family is so complete that he gave up his freedom for our protection.
Dulcie appears and bundles the children back into the car, strapping them in. “I’ll take them home and let them loose on the buffet food,” she says. “There’ll be a lot going spare!”
Steffie and Luca tolerate kisses and hugs as their parents say goodbye, and we wave them off.
“Well, that was dramatic,” Avel says. “Good job you had Vlad backing you up, or it could have turned into a brawl in there.”
“Almost a shame it didn’t. ” Arman wrinkles his nose. “Could have been funny.”
Josie leans in and kisses Arman on the cheek. “You’re a fucking wildcard,” she says, smiling fondly. “And I thought Sasha was antagonistic.”
“I am.” Sasha takes her hand and pulls her away. “Get any more comfortable with Arman, and I’ll show you.”
I take Arman’s hand. “Yeah, Josie,” I say, my tone teasing. “This one is mine.”
Arman laughs and weaves his fingers through my own, squeezing them. “Okay,” he says. “We have a priest, a fuckton of candles, and about six thousand flowers. All we need is one witness, but it’s up to Lilyana to issue the invites this time. What do you say, tsvetok?”
My hopeful heart wanted to surrender, and until now, I didn’t trust it. He was the first man unrelated to me to show me affection, so I thought I was just grateful, like a shelter puppy who’s glad to have a forever home where no one beats them. Now the warm feeling inside tells me everything I need to know.
Arman loves me.
I draw myself to my full height, my head high. I’m suddenly full of confidence, and my voice has a steadiness I have never heard before.
“Everyone better be listening to me,” I begin. “I want you all here, but I want no white knights, heroes or protectors except the one who is giving me his name. If you walk into that church now, do so for both of us.” I fix my gaze on Vlad. “Before the padre asks, I’m asking—does anyone here object to this union? Because if you do, speak now,” I pause, my breath catching, “or you better hold your damn peace forever and the rest!”
Vlad steps forward and clutches the back of my head, pressing his forehead to mine. “I’m sorry, Lili,” he says. “I was wrong. Let’s do this beautiful thing the right way.”
The church is empty, but my heart is full to bursting. In this place, by candlelight and with soft words, love can just be, shining and unsullied.
The people I love most in the world are here, not for the bratva and its ignoble politics but for Arman and me.
I don’t have to read anything. Arman made sure of that; he asked the priest to keep the phrases short so I didn’t have to repeat too much at once. With all those strangers watching, I couldn’t have uttered a word, but in the company of my family, my vows slide off my tongue without the slightest resistance. When Vlad puts my hand into Arman’s, a soulful peace descends on us as though we’ve banished a great evil.
It feels right. The ring on my finger is like a talisman, a symbol of Arman’s protection, and for the first time, I feel like I can cope with anything.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife.” The priest clasps his hands together. “You may kiss your bride.”
Arman’s hand wraps my waist, and he draws me to him, his eyes never leaving mine. His other hand slides over my cheek, caressing the sensitive spot behind my ear. As our lips meet, I forget myself, pushing my hands through his hair and molding my body against him.
I hear Vlad’s voice. “Dammit. I’m fine with this, but I don’t wanna see it!”
Everyone dissolves into laughter, and Arman and I break our kiss. I toss my flowers at Heidi, but she dodges them, and they knock over a stack of Bibles.
“It’s a bridal bouquet, not a grenade!” I say, doubled over with amusement.
“Oh, that’s it!” Heidi waves at the priest. “Padre! How many Hail Marys will that cost me? Forget it; I’m in hock so deep already. Just stick them on the tab!”
