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Nero had invited the whole mafia world to this wedding, announcing that the lost Russian mafia princess had been discovered, and that she was marrying into the Las Vegas outfit. He was also making a big deal about providing the cake, going to great lengths to plan the presentation of it in the middle of the reception.
I didn’t trust it.
Nero was at the pinnacle of his career, his ‘son’ marrying the legendary missing princess of the great Igor Petrov, thought to be dead. Killing them at the wedding made a bold statement, and was exactly something a crazy man like my father would do.
And, as angry as I was at their betrayal, I couldn't let that happen.
No, I needed to follow through with my own plans.
For once, I'd outsmarted my father, and I was going to relish in it tonight.
Twenty-One
Nero was the one to collect me.
I was almost flattered.
Out of all the things he needed to do today, he came to threaten little old me into behaving.
Fucker.
And where the hell was Coulter? He’d returned late last night, and barely spoke to me before he left again.
Something had changed between us and I didn’t know what it was. I’d been giddy after preparing for Rose’s wedding but he’d tampered down my excitement quickly by his sour mood.
After gathering some things, claiming he had things he needed to do before the wedding, he’d headed for the door, leaving a cold chill in his wake. He’d stopped when he walked through it, turning to me. “You would never betray me, would you, Aster?”
Any words I had died in my throat, and I could only stare him down with my lips parted, unable to speak.
He waited for what felt like a really long moment, his dark stare drilling into me. When I didn’t say anything, he’d left, and didn’t return for the night.
Now, as I stared in the mirror, watched by some beefy baldie named James, one of Nero’s guards who looked like the whole world had pissed him off, I decided, screw it.
Today, my older sister was getting married to a man she loved.
And, she was going to have a baby.
It was going to be an amazing day and, despite my circumstances, I was determined to enjoy it.
I was ushered to the wedding by Mr. Baldie-face just in time to line up to walk down the aisle.
Rose was stunning in a Claire Pettibone mermaid dress, with a gorgeous lace bodice and delicate hand-stitched beading. Her chestnut-brown hair cascaded down her back in soft waves, with strands of it threaded through delicately placed aster, lily, and rose flowers.
I teared up at the sight of her homage to me and my sister.
Her face lit up the moment she saw me, and we hugged enthusiastically before a pale, long faced woman urged us to our places.
I walked somberly down the row towards the altar, resisting the urge to skip. I recognized Bourbon from the photo Rose had shown me, staring up the aisle. His stark, blue eyes looked eager and totally smitten, and a warmth washed through me.
Life was going to be good for her.
Despite the threat of Nero, he would protect and take care of her.
Coulter was standing next to him, and I tried to catch his eyes, but he didn’t look at me. A few men down from them stood another man, with almond shaped eyes, long hair tied behind him, and danger radiating from his mere essence.
He also had a chocolate cosmos flower pinned to his suit, the only man wearing such a flower. This was my sign: he was the man who would help me escape. His eyes met mine in a meaningful stare and I nodded briefly, rushing to my spot.
My smile wavering, I took my place and waited patiently, torn between being so happy and excited for Rose, feeling sad about Coulter’s change in behavior, and nervous about my plans for escape.
