I’ve never liked being the center of attention, and the fact that I have to do it alone this time somehow makes it worse.
But Milo is the ringbearer, along with Lev, and he was so excited about it.
Mandy pulls me into a tight hug, grinning from ear to ear. “I can’t believe you’re the wife of a mobster. You’re literally living every Mafia romance girlie’s dream right now.”
I roll my eyes and shove her lightly. “Shut up. And why the hell are you reading Mafia romances anyway?”
“Because they’re good.” She scrunches her face in aduhkind of way.
Obviously, I couldn’t tell Mandy everything. But I told her enough. About cutting my sister out of my life after she put all of us at risk. About the way she hurt us. And, of course, about the baby.
We still haven’t told the boys. Kirill and I decided to wait a little longer, until we knew for sure the baby was okay. Maybe that sounds silly, but part of me is always waiting for the next shoe to drop. I guess that comes with the kind of life I’ve lived.
Fiona steps back to admire her work while Emilia tilts her head, studying me like she’s making sure every last detail is perfect before I’m sent out to face the crowd waiting downstairs.
“You look beautiful,” Fiona says.
“Seriously,” Emilia adds, her eyes bright. “Kirill is going to lose his mind when he sees you.”
I let out a nervous exhale, gripping the edge of the vanity. Then there’s a knock at the bedroom door.
Emilia glances toward it. “I’ll get it.”
She crosses the room and opens it just a crack, and from where I’m standing, I register voices in the hallway I can’t quite make out.
The door opens wider, and Konstantin steps inside with one arm loosely wrapped around Emilia’s waist, leaning down to press a kiss to the top of her head before his attention lands on me.
“You look absolutely beautiful, Sloane,” he says warmly. “Kirill is very lucky to have you.”
My cheeks grow in color. “Thank you.”
Suddenly, I’m very aware of the way everyone is looking at me.
He studies me before his expression turns thoughtful. “The reason I came up here is because I wanted to ask you something. And feel free to say no.”
Curiosity slides in as I wonder what in the world the head of the Russian Mafia could possibly want to ask me.
“I was hoping to have the honor of walking you down the aisle…if you would like me to.”
The words catch me completely off guard. Then relief rushes through me.
“Yes,” I say quickly. “Absolutely, yes.”
He chuckles. “Good. Then whenever you’re ready. They’re waiting for you.”
My nerves surge all over again while Mandy squeezes my hand. “You’ve got this. And you look hot as shit, so that helps.”
I let out a snicker. “Thanks, but can you guarantee I don’t fall flat on my face?”
Her mouth quirks.
“No,” she whispers. “But if you hold on to that hot brother of his, I think you’ll be fine.”
I shake my head just as the wedding planner steps into the room. She starts arranging everyone in the order they’re meant to walk out, and as we head downstairs and begin lining up near the door that leads outside, my eyes go straight to Milo and Lev standing side by side.
And they’re holding hands. I’m not sure my heart can take it.
Both of them clutch small satin pillows with fake rings tied carefully in the center, their suits pressed and their expressions so serious, it’s precious.
