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Her brothers look on as she says over her shoulder. “I’ll see you tomorrow and tell nonna I’ll be bringing a plus one.”
As we leave, she doesn’t look back and the guards part as we step outside and watch silently as we head to my car. As we step inside, she says nothing at all and laces my fingers with hers and says in a stronger voice. “It appears that our adventure will continue, Alexei, whether my family agrees or not.”
She turns and smiles and I believe this is the moment when I fall deeply in love with Serena Vieri. There is no going back now for either of us. What began as an impetuous invitation has ended as being the most important decision of my life.
CHAPTER41
SERENA
THE NEXT DAY
Iam not worried, nervous, or fearful. I killed my aunt in cold blood last night and I would do it again in a heartbeat.
What happened was do or die and I am at peace with that. If anything, I did her a favor because her fate had already been sealed.
Alexei held me until I fell asleep in his arms. He was there for me when I needed him most, and I will never forget that. He faced my family with no fear, and I admire that about him. He came for me knowing I was in danger and that means everything to me.
Now we are heading to my grandparents’ mansion for the birthday dinner that will go ahead as planned, with one person missing at the table.
We will mourn our aunt’s passing as is customary, but nobody will be sad to see her go. She has torn this family apart, and it was a necessary conclusion and the only people who concern me now are my grandparents, who must live with the knowledge that both of their children plotted against them.
At least they have us. Their grandchildren and we will come together as a family before I set off on my travels, whether they agree or not.
We make our way up the driveway after clearing security and I grip Alexei’s hand hard.
“Are you ready for this?”
He nods with a twinkle in his eye. “I almost feel sorry for them, little tiger.”
“Don’t be. They can handle whatever shit is flung their way. They are Vieris and have fought their entire lives. This is an easy battle to concede.”
I lean forward and kiss him softly, loving how peaceful he makes me. It’s as if I’m not on my own anymore and it’s good knowing there is a strong man beside me who is my equal in every way. He doesn’t try to dominate me, to belittle me or to control me. He accepts me for who I am and inevitably I am falling hard and fast for my fearless Russian.
As soon as we reach the front door, the car stops outside and one of my grandfather’s guards opens it and peers inside.
“Miss Vieri, Mr. Romanov. Welcome.”
He steps aside and we head toward the open door, and I am extremely nervous after what happened last night.
I killed their daughter.
I’m guessing my welcome won’t be the usual one and yet as soon as I step inside the familiar hallway, nonna is waiting with a concerned expression on her face.
“Serena.” Her eyes fill with tears as she pulls me into her usual warm embrace, and I can’t help but sob in her arms as the relief hits me hard.
“I’m so sorry, Nonna.” I weep for her loss, and she whispers, “You have nothing to be sorry about. You did it to protect this family and we will always back you on that.”
“You’re not mad at me.” I pull back and stare at her anxiously and she wipes a tear from her eye and whispers, “I could never be prouder of you than I am now. You are a true Vieri, Serena. You did what was right in the moment. You were faced with losing your life, so how could I be angry about the decision you made?”
She says sorrowfully, “Giselle was an extremely disturbed woman. I should have addressed this years ago. I blame myself.”
I stare at her with a fierce expression. “You dideverythingfor her. She is solely to blame for this.”
Nonna smiles and then stares past me at Alexei, who is watching the scene with interest, and she grins.
“Mr. Romanov. I believe you have been corrupting my granddaughter.” She says it with a twinkle in her eye and he nods respectfully.
“I am guilty as charged, Mrs. Vieri, but I can assure you I only have her best interests at heart.”
