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The hall that June and I picked for the ceremony is the largest ballroom at the Grand Ritz. In just a few minutes, it will be the place where we’re joined forever as husband and wife. And it won’t be fake. It will be real.
To her. To me. To everyone seated here to witness it.
What a fucking miracle.
“It feels…”
“Surreal?” Milana offers with a knowing smile. “I agree. Can’t say I ever thought I’d see the day.”
“That makes two of us.”
“But you know what?” Milana says. “You and June—it makes sense. And that’s saying a lot, considering how the two of you came together. I just hope…” She trails off. “I’m sorry. I told myself I wouldn’t bring this up today.”
I don’t have to ask what she’s talking about. “I’ve decided not to tell her.”
“Kolya!” She pulls to the side, and her dark cape swishes dramatically with the movement. “How are you going to keep it from her? It amazes me that you’ve managed to hide your scars from her this long. But after you’re married…?”
“I guess I’ll have to lie,” I drawl. “In the big picture, it’s the least of my sins.”
“Sounds like a healthy marriage.”
“You’re in no position to lecture me about what’s healthy and what’s not,” I snarl before I can stop myself.
Her face floods with hurt. I know the only reason I can see it is because she’s letting me see it. Then she plasters her mask back on and turns towards the waiting crowd.
“She should be here by now. Maybe I should go and check on her. Where is Anette? She was supposed to give June the cue.”
“Milana—”
She turns to me with a tight smile. “Hey, don’t worry about it. This is your wedding day. We shouldn’t be fighting.”
“We never fight,” I remind her.
“Only because I let you think you’re right most of the time.” She scans the ballroom. “But seriously, where the hell is Anette?”
I feel a weird little spike of tension in my spine as I survey the guests. Most are long-time allies; the rest are my most trusted Vors, along with their various plus-ones. Vetted and double vetted, every last one of them.
So why do I feel like something is off?
“I’m gonna go check on things,” Milana announces. She’s clearly experiencing the same sense of unease.
I stay rooted in place for half a beat before I abandon my post. “I’ll come with you.”
“You’re the groom.”
“I’m also the don.”
Some of my Vors stand up as I walk past, their faces alert and ready for anything. “Boss?”
“Be ready,” I let them know. Just in case.
The moment we clear the ballroom, I know something’s definitely not right. The atmosphere is rife with tension and panic. Hotel staff is rushing from corridor to corridor like a bunch of headless chickens.
That’s when I spot one of my men. I’d assigned Knox to the security detail at the elevator. He rushes forward, face taut with tension.
“The wedding planner is down,” he says. “I rode up to the bridal suite, and she was lying on the floor just in front of the elevator.”
“Where’s the security detail?” I demand furiously. “They’re supposed to be guarding the bride!”
