“Understood,” Uncle Sean agreed with an easy smile on his face. “So you know, if you are wrong and I wasn’t betrayed by the Savoys, I will stop at nothing to destroy you as you’ve threatened with me.”
“Understood. If my information is correct, the Ghost is on their payroll,” I tossed out. “He will make himself known.”
“We will honor our end of the bargain,” Kazimir stated. “See that you do as well. You won’t like becoming our enemy.”
Uncle Sean nodded after a few seconds. “Vivian. Is that man worth giving your heart to?”
The question was one I’d toyed with for several nights. I glanced into Kirill’s eyes and knew as I had from the first moment I’d met him how strong our connection was. “Yes.”
“Then so be it. Let fate have its say.”
CHAPTER 23
Vivian
“You are a beautiful bride,” Nikki cooed. “I’m jealous.”
She’d arrived with Enzo only hours before, a carefully calculated arrival that had been planned to the letter. A wedding that had been planned in a fog. There was so much at stake, but I’d never been happier.
Yet even in the blissful state of mind I’d found myself in, the anxiety from thoughts of what could occur weighed heavily on me. We were pitting three separate, dangerous crime syndicates against each other. All three with the capabilities of destroying a good portion of New York.
All with much to lose.
My family the most.
Including my baby sister.
I twisted in front of the mirror, sighing as I did. The dress was perfect. “Not nearly as fancy as your wedding.”
“You always told me the best relationships weren’t about money.”
As I turned to face her, there was a moment I truly hoped we were wrong about Enzo. She seemed happier than I’d known her to be. But I also noticed something in her eyes that indicated questions.
“That’s true. I’m surprised Enzo managed to get away. From what you’d told me on the phone, his business activities kept him from enjoying much free time.”
“True. After the honeymoon, which was cut short, he’s been home less and less. The only reason he offered to come with me was so that he could handle some business while he was here.” She laughed bitterly, the information she provided important. “But enough about me. This is your day. I was shocked to hear about your marriage. Where did you meet that handsome man?”
“Would you believe on the plane?”
Her eyes opened wide. “Fate is an incredible creature. Isn’t she?”
“What makes you think fate is a ‘she’?”
She continued fiddling with my dress, unable to look me in the eyes. “Because fate can be a bitch.”
“I’ll grant you that. I feel like we were destined to meet.”
“Even if he’s Russian Bratva?”
“Now, who told you that?”
Nikki snorted. “That was one of the first things my darling husband said while on the plane after demanding I tell him the name of the groom. I had to look it up in your email that you sent. He acted… strange.”
“Well, Italians and Russians have a long history of brutality. But that doesn’t matter. The Bratva are here in New York nurturing completely legitimate business operations. In fact, our father and uncle are jealous.”
“Jealous? They’re livid. Don’t think otherwise. I’m just shocked our father allowed you to marry him.” Nikki took a step away, her entire face pinched. “He does plan everything about our lives.”
“Which is why I told him flat out that he wasn’t going to control my life any longer.”
