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The music starts, and “To Know Love” by Little Big Town plays while the doors open.
Victoria and Emilia walk down the aisle first, followed by Luna. I honestly don't know why she is here. Last night she showed up at my penthouse in nothing but a leather trench coat and high heels, telling me she'd be a better fuck than my fiancé. I slammed the door in her face. She screamed and banged on my door for half an hour before I'd had enough and opened it with the barrel of my gun aimed at her face. She paled, and the guards escorted her out. I fucked her once, three years ago, and I still regret it to this day. If Sofia finds out, then she'll no doubt leave me; the others, she'll probably make me suffer for a while before forgiving me. But her own cousin? I shake my head. This morning, I threatened Luna to keep her mouth shut when she tried to blackmail me by threatening to tell my girl. She didn't take it too kindly when I told her I knew all about her drug use, and with one word to Uncle Stefano her money is gone. Considering he pays all of her and her mother's bills, and funds their expensive tastes, she knew she was beat.
She walks past me, baring her teeth while I raise my brow, and she pales when she realizes I notice her “scorned lover” look. One fucking night, one night, and she acts like I was her lover for years. She’s a fucking psychopath—I should have killed her last night.
My brother and best friend chuckle while I try to keep a straight face, and then Sofia's best friend, Lilly, comes through the doors, looking a bit intimidated. Even now that she's engaged to the Irish, she's still timid around us. She looks at me with narrowed eyes, making me furrow my brows. Oddly, she normally smiles at me because I make her friend happy. But I shake that off as soon as the “Wedding March” begins.
The doors open again, and I swear to God, my heart fucking stops. My girl looks stunning; her dark hair is curled down her back, her makeup is light, her dress hugs her curves perfectly—tight at the top, flowing beautifully down from her waist. And, is it just me, or do her tits look fucking bigger? It's got to be the dress. Fuck, I really can't readjust my hard-on in front of a priest, can I?
Once she gets to me, her father turns and kisses her cheek. She flinches slightly, which most people would have missed, but I didn't, and I furrow my brows, confused by her reaction. He places her hand in mine, and I look deep into her eyes. She looks terrified. She doesn't like to be the center of attention, so maybe that's why she’s acting that way. She holds her hand loosely in mine like she can't stand the thought of touching me, and I furrow my brows again. Normally, she'd hold me tight like she was scared. I let her go, and I frown a little. She gives me a small smile, and I smile back. Maybe I'm overthinking it.
I squeeze her hands, and I turn her to look at the priest while rubbing my thumb along her hand. Then, back to my girl, I block out most of the words the priest says, my eyes taking in the beauty of Sofia, but I can't help but notice her stiff posture. Also, she's biting her bottom lip nervously, and I'm getting concerned.
Alexandr nudges me, so I look back at the priest to hear him say, "Damian, repeat after me, 'I, Damian Volkov, take thee Sofia Russo, to be my lawfully wedded wife. To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until parted by death.’"
I repeat every word without hesitation while looking into Sofia's eyes, which have gone glossy.
My printsessa….
We have over 700 guests, from family to politicians and Mafia men. That explains her actions; she's just scared, right?
The priest instructs Sofia recite her vows, and she does, with some hesitation. I glance at my father to see he also has his brows furrowed, so it's not just me; something's wrong with my bride, and it doesn't seem to be the crowd.
After saying “I do”, placing the rings on each other's fingers, the priest pronounces us husband and wife. I grab Sofia by the waist and slam my lips on hers before he could say, “You may now kiss the bride,” making the crowd chuckle and cheer.
She parts her lips after I lick her seam several times. She doesn't seem to want to do this, but maybe it's because of the audience. She breaks the kiss first. I look down at her with the biggest smile, and she finally returns it, making me chuckle. It must have just been the nerves. I shake my head a little, then turn to the roaring crowd, raise our joined hands, pull Sofia into my arms, and carry her back down the aisle, ready for the awaiting photographer. She wraps her arms around my neck and places her head on my shoulder.
Yep! Definitely a fresh start with my love.
nine
Sofia
After taking several pictures near the cathedral, we head to the awaiting Rolls-Royce SUV, and after helping me inside, Damian slides in beside me, picking up my hand. He kisses my knuckles, then smiles at me. I manage a small smile back. I want to pull my hand out of his to wipe it, but I don't. I don't want to give anything away. I know I didn't do very well during our vows, and he could see by my poorly hidden reactions. I would never make a good actress. Even Dimitri looked at me with concern.
Standing there in front of so many made men, bratva, and mafia leaders, and not screaming “No!” during my vows was the hardest thing I have had to do in my life. Damian looked at me like I was his world, but it was all a lie! Letting him kiss me made me nauseous. Knowing what he probably did before our wedding, I had to pull back. I just hoped he didn't notice the revulsion on my face! He is already suspicious. Only a few days ago, he was my entire life, but now I can't stand to look at him, and my family is beyond me.
There are only four more hours to go until I initiate my plan.
The car pulls up in front of our reception area at the waterfront hotel, and Damian gets out first, then lifts his hand for mine. I gingerly place mine in his as he helps me out before kissing my forehead. He wraps an arm around my waist, and then leads me into the banquet hall, where silver and light gray streamers and balloons fill the area, along with round tables decorated with light gray tablecloths and black cutlery with a flower arrangement in the middle. Each centerpiece is surrounded by four candles. I roll my eyes at that.
How safe, Mother!
Obviously, this is her little mark. I barely had any say in our wedding. Choosing my dress was when I put my foot down. It is probably the only say I had in the end.
We stand off to the side and greet our guests as they walk into the room. They kiss both our cheeks, offering their congratulations, before trying to find their tables. When Luna comes up with my aunt, she smirks at me, but I ignore her and hug my aunt.
"Absolutely beautiful, sweetheart," she states emotionally. Still, her eyes are saying something else, something I can't quite put my finger on.
"Thank you, Zia," I say, then kiss her cheek. She walks off, with Luna following. I notice she wipes her cheek, then grabs her daughter's hand, and I chuckle under my breath and shake my head.
Of course. Like mother, like daughter. I guess my aunt has been using me to stay on my father's good side. It looks like I can't trust anyone in my family. Trust me to figure this out now. I will have to message Noah later and add her to the list of people to watch!
When my mother enters my view, she stumbles over to us before leaning in, placing her hand on my right side to steady herself, clearly out of it, and kisses me on the cheek. I flinch, making her pull back a bit and furrow her brow, not knowing she squeezed hard on the bruise her bodyguard caused yesterday as a birthday gift, while my father was out screwing around. She was out cold from the booze. I'm lucky he didn't harm my baby. I managed to lock myself in the bathroom, and he gave up and went away. I contacted Noah immediately. Originally, he was helping me find somewhere to live and figure out how to call off the wedding, but that changed when I found out I was having a girl. Now, he's helped create a whole new life for us.
I lean in close, acting like I am returning the kiss, while I side-eye Damian, who is busy talking to my father, his parents, and his brother.
They aren’t listening, so I discreetly rasp, "I know how things have been between us, but please, Mamma, get some help. You deserve better than this life. I do not forgive you for your actions, but I do love you."
