Page 183 of The Bratva King

The family spent Christmas together in Maksim’s Miami home. It was the best Christmas I’ve ever had. And I know it was the first of many amazing Christmases for Luke. Lila introduced Luke to horses.

Nikolai is now looking for someone to build a stable on the property so he can buy Luke a horse. Or five. Neither of my boys knows how to dip their toes into something. It’s all or nothing.

And I love it.

I only wish Greg could be here to see me get my happy ending. He always promised me that it would be over one day. One day, I could settle down.

We made it, Greg. Thank you.

Twenty minutes later, I’m made up to look like I’m not wearing makeup, which is quite the skill. My dress is white and simple. I did the princess wedding dress once and hated every second of it. I don’t want to look like I’m sitting on top of a cake.

I stand in front of the mirror. The fit-and-flare style with a sweetheart neckline is beautiful. Sofia is the one who insisted I lean into my curves instead of trying to hide them.

“Ready?” Lila asks.

“I am.”

The wedding is small despite using the massive ballroom. We’re not doing a wedding party. Just me, Nik, and Luke standing in front of a preacher.

I follow Lila down the hall. Sofia holds open the door to the curtained-off area.

“You look stunning,” she says. “I cannot wait to see Nik’s face when he sees you for the first time.”

“Record it, because I’m pretty sure my vision will be blurry.”

“Absolutely.”

They take their seats, leaving me alone in the small space. I inhale and wait for the music that is my cue to walk down the aisle to my guys.

The music starts. I step out from behind the curtain.

And I see them.

Nikolai stands at the end of the aisle in a black tuxedo that fits him like it was painted on. His dark hair is perfectly styled. His blue eyes lock onto mine like I’m the only thing in the universe.

Beside him, Luke fidgets in his matching tuxedo. Same cut. Same color. Same everything, except smaller. His hair is freshly cut by a professional. It is one of the many huge signs of progress we’ve seen with his therapy. He’s clutching Steggy in one hand, even though we talked about leaving the dinosaur in the room. I’m glad he didn’t. I love that Nikolai doesn’t care about tradition or what anyone thinks.

My heart swells so full that I think it might burst.

These are my boys. My family.

I take the first step down the aisle. Then another. For once, I’m not bracing for something to go wrong. I’m walking toward the two people I love most in the world.

Nikolai’s expression doesn’t change, but I see his chest rise and fall a little faster. His thumb and forefinger press together once before he forces his hands still at his sides.

Luke spots me, and his face lights up. He waves, a big enthusiastic gesture that makes several people in the audience chuckle softly. I wave back, not caring if it’s proper.

When I reach them, Nikolai extends his hand. I take it. His fingers close around mine.

“Hi,” I whisper.

“Hi.” His eyes move over my face, my hair, and my dress. “You’re beautiful.”

“So are you.”

Luke tugs on my dress. “Mom, you look like a princess.”

I bend down, careful not to wrinkle the fabric too much. “Thank you, buddy. You look very handsome.”