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“Papa,” I gently chide. “I’m marrying him. I love him.”
His frown deepens, but he gives a curt nod. Releasing me, he shoots Dimitri a death glare. I’m beginning to doubt they’ll ever warm to each other.
Dimitri barely seems to register my father’s wrath. His gaze remains locked on mine, taking in all of me while the priest performs the ceremony. It all goes by so quickly and then it’s time to say our vows.
Dimitri takes my hand in his, a serious expression on his handsome face. “I, Dimitri Kozlov, take you, Arianna Pontrelli, to be my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health. I promise to be the best man for you each and every day. I will strive to be worthy of you, to protect you, and to always give you a choice. I shall love and cherish you, till death do us part. This is my solemn vow.”
I swallow past the tears clogging my throat as he slides the diamond studded gold ring on my tattooed finger. I never made that appointment to have it removed.
“I, Arianna Pontrelli take you, Dimitri Kozlov, to be my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health. I will strive to love you as you deserve to be loved each and every day. I shall cherish you, till death do us part. This is my solemn vow.”
I take his hand, lowering my gaze to the wedding band as I slip it on his finger, and freeze. The dark ink encircling his ring finger is new. My heart floats up to my throat, rendering me speechless.
The words he had tattooed, I can clearly read. Property of Arianna Kozlov.
I settle his wedding band over those words. Sealing them forever.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss?—”
Dimitri sweeps me up in his arms, his mouth crashing down on mine and I open for him. The priest grumbles something about patience being a virtue, but I can barely hear him over the roar of applause.
Our kiss becomes languid and I suck in a breath of air. “Ti amo,” I whisper.
“YA lyublyu tebya,” he murmurs against my lips.
After receiving an overwhelming number of congratulations, we make our way out of the church and to the reception venue. For the next several hours we dance, eat and drink, and mingle with our friends and family. The celebratory atmosphere buzzes all around us. I relax against Dimitri’s side and he loops his arm around my waist. He feels like home.
He and Maks are deep in conversation, so I let my gaze travel the room. Ginevra’s loud giggle draws my attention to where she’s dancing with one of Dimitri’s men. She keeps glancing over his shoulder and I turn slightly to follow her gaze.
Blake Baron stands against the wall with a murderous expression. His knuckles are white from how hard he clutches his champagne glass. Any moment now it’s going to crack. His stare bores into Gin. I glance back and forth at them just to be sure. There’s certainly something going on with them.
My guess is confirmed when Blake downs his drink, drops the empty glass on a tray, and storms over to Ginevra. He grabs her by the arm, yanking her away from her dance partner. The man backs off immediately.
Blake drags my sister to the stage and taps on the mic. The band falls silent and everyone turns to gawk at them.
“Sorry to interrupt,” Black says, sounding anything but apologetic. “We have an announcement on this happy occasion.” He hauls Ginevra close to him. “Let me introduce you to my future wife Ginevra Pontrelli.”
Gin’s eyes widen with shock and horror. Her lips part, but for the first time in her life no sound comes out. Stunned silence fills the ballroom.
The smile that twists Blake Baron’s lips is that of a satiated predator who just devoured his favorite prey.
Oh, Gin, what have you done?
Are you excited for Blake and Ginevra’s book next? It’s a grumpy/sunshine, age gap, fake fiancée/fake marriage, billionaire romance.
In order to access his inheritance, Blake Baron must marry. When he catches Ginevra Pontrelli stealing a priceless possession, he gives her two choices: Either face criminal charges or temporarily become his fake wife.
