I realized years ago when I was younger than Maksim, how small and deceiving the world truly was. So it didn’t surprise me that our paths had crossed again, and in a seemingly more permanent situation—similar to mine and Amalia’s. There was a reason he was spared that night and was standing in front of me, looking more confident than a kid his age had any right to be.
“Valentina!”
Leni darted past me and scooped up Vali, Eva and Derek just steps behind them.
Derek zoned in on Maksim immediately, but the boy’s attention was on Leni and the baby.
“Fucking small world, brother.”
Familiar faces lined the front row while strangers occupied the rest of the seats, all there to witness the marriage of Amalia Montesinos. I was never one to feel nervous, but as I skimmed the crowd, I quickly realized all eyes were on me. Many must have been asking themselves who the fuck I was, where had I come from, and how had I managed to win overla reina.
Derek tapped me on the arm with his elbow, maybe sensing my nerves, as he gestured a reassuring nod. A little over four years ago, he’d been in my shoes, and I was his best man. Though the event was much smaller and more intimate, it was one I’d never forget. His fond expression, the emotion in his eyes, it was all I ever wanted for my brother. And now here we were, roles reversed, but in a much different circumstance.
As the music started to play, my heart thudded and blood whooshed in my ears, causing me to nearly sway.
This was it. I knew she was close, and the distance between us felt electric. When Amalia finally came into view, I felt an overwhelming need to grip my chest.
She was fucking breathtaking.
A black wedding dress adorned her beautiful body while a long veil of the same color carved a trail behind her. When her signature red lips curved into a smile the moment her eyes connected with mine, time was suddenly suspended. Not a single soul existed in that venue. The emotion burned my throat, and it was then I realized I hadn’t taken a breath.
“Easy,” Derek whispered, his hand on my forearm as I swept in a lungful of air.
Shaking off his touch, I focused back on my bride as she walked past Gio and sent him a wink.
I reached for her the moment she was close, my arm around the curve of her back, nose against her cheek, as I took in every gorgeous inch.
“You wore this for me, and I’m going to spend all night thanking you for it.”
“Is that a promise?” she asked with a smile in her voice and a touch of emotion in her eyes.
The sound of a man clearing his throat behind us snapped me back to the moment. That was when I lifted my gaze to the sea of guests, though none of them were distinguishable because no one else mattered.
Even as the officiant began to speak, my attention was solely on Amalia.
“With this ring, I vow…”
As I slipped the black band onto her finger, and lost myself in the depths of her eyes, I had never been more sure of anything else in my life:
I was completely fucked.
23
“Everyoneis watching us.”
“I promise you there isn’t a single person in this room looking at me.” His lips were at my temple, and his hands were on my back as we swayed to the smooth musical notes. “Amalia, you look stunning.”
My face flushed, and I leaned into him, taking a moment to breathe in the crisp scent of his cologne. “You clean up pretty good yourself, Cain.”
“I believe that title also belongs to you now.Wife.”
I laid my head on his shoulder and sighed. “We did it,” I whispered. “We pulled it off. Everyone seemed convinced.”
“Effortless, vicious. You and I don’t have to try. You know that. Anyone can see, even now, that the last place I want to be is on this dance floor.”
I lifted my gaze, confused by his words and maybe slightly insulted, until I saw the fire in his blue eyes and how they darkened. “And where exactly would you like to be right now?”
“My favorite place. Inside you.”
