Page 184 of The Bratva King

“Nik and me match.”

“I see that. Very fancy.”

I stand back up. Nikolai’s hand finds mine again.

The officiant clears his throat. “Shall we begin?”

I nod. Nikolai nods. Luke is distracted by something on the floor, but that’s okay.

The officiant starts, and I try to pay attention, but all I can focus on is Nikolai’s hand in mine. The way his thumb strokes across my knuckles. This is a day I want to remember forever. Every second.

“Nikolai, do you have vows you’d like to share?”

Nikolai clears his throat. We talked about this. I told him we didn’t have to do vows. I know he loves me. I know his promises. But he wanted to do it. “You and Luke are my family. I will protect you. I will provide for you. I will love you for the rest of my life. That’s my vow.”

Tears blur my vision. I blink them back, but more come.

“Gabriella?” The officiant prompts gently.

I take a shaky breath. “Nikolai, you saved us. You showed me what it means to be loved without condition. To be protected without being controlled.” My voice cracks. “You are an amazing father. I promise to love you through everything. The easy days and the hard ones. The days when words come easily, and the days when they don’t. I promise to be patient and to love you.”

Nikolai’s eyes are bright. He blinks, and I realize he’s fighting tears too.

“The rings?” the officiant asks.

Pasha steps forward from the front row. He hands Nikolai the rings.

I slide the ring onto his finger. He slides mine onto my hand next to the engagement ring I’ve been wearing for two months.

“By—”

“Wait,” Nikolai says.

He releases my hand and drops to Luke’s eye level. He pulls out a small box from his pocket.

“Luke, I have something for you.”

Luke looks up, curious. “What is it?”

Nikolai opens the box. Inside is a silver necklace with a falcon pendant. It’s simple but beautiful.

“This is for you,” Nikolai says. “Sokolov means ‘falcon’ in Russian. You’re a Sokolov.”

Luke stares at the necklace. Then at Nikolai. “I’m a falcon?”

“You’re my falcon. My son.”

I put my hand over my mouth to hold back a sob. This is the moment I’ve been waiting for without even knowing it was coming.

Nikolai carefully fastens the necklace around Luke’s neck. The falcon pendant rests against his small chest.

“Ty moy syn,” Nikolai says softly. “You are my son.”

Luke touches the pendant. Then he throws his arms around Nikolai’s neck.

Nikolai catches him, holding him tight. His eyes close.

I look out at our small audience. Lila is crying into Maksim’s shoulder. Sofia has her hand over her heart and tears streaming down her face. Even Sergei—stoic, controlled Sergei—has his jaw clenched tightly, and his eyes are suspiciously bright.