Page 83 of Beautiful Sinner

“I won’t either,” Elena adds. “Even though I’m scared this is going to get you killed, Matteo.”

He chuckles. “I’ve been through a lot worse and survived. I can survive this. If it means getting to be with Julia, I will take it.”

“Join us,” I blurt out. “Inessa, I want you to be there. If I can’t have Viktor in attendance, then I want you there. You’re my family too.”

“Julia…”

“Please.”

“If Viktor finds out… I can’t keep this from him forever.”

“I won’t ask you too. Just be there when Matteo and I get married. Be our witness. Be happy for us, for just a moment. And then you can tell Viktor about it. You can tell him how happy Iam. And hopefully, he’ll understand and when he does, Matteo will be safe. We’ll all be safe.”

“You really believe Viktor will end this war if he sees how much you love Matteo?”

“It’s worth a shot. Otherwise…”

She slowly nods. “You’re right. I’ll support you, Julia. I’ll be at your wedding. When is it?”

“Right now,” Matteo says. “We’re getting married today. Come with us too, Elena. I don’t have any family with me and we’re friends. It would be nice to have you there.”

“What if there’s danger?” she asks. “My son is at home, waiting for me to return.”

“This can just remain between us,” I tell her. “No one has to know. No one has to get hurt.”

After a long moment, she sighs. “Ok. I’ll be there.”

Inessa smiles. “Then let’s have a wedding.”

The church we choose is a catholic one. Normally it takes weeks, if not months, to get approved, but Matteo goes inside and convinces the priest to marry us. I’m not sure what he says or does but the priest agrees.

This is actually happening. I’m getting my dream wedding. I’m getting my fairytale.

And nothing can ruin it.

Chapter Fourteen

Matteo

Ibribe the priest to allow me and Julia to get married. I also might have shown him my gun and threatened him if he didn’t marry us. Not my finest moment but Julia and I want to get married today and we’re going to make it happen.

Inessa and Elena are the only other people in attendance in the large empty catholic church. It’s so empty that our voices echo inside.

I stand at the end of the aisle, waiting for Julia to come down. When the doors open and she enters in her new wedding dress that she bought just for me I almost lose my breath. It’s fucking cliché but it’s true. She is a vision in her gown. Knowing that I’m going to marry this woman is the best feeling in the world.

Inessa walks at her side, since Viktor isn’t here to give her away. I try to push down my worry about Viktor. He won’t show. He won’t ruin this for us.

Julia reaches the end of the aisle and takes my hand.

“You’re beautiful,” I tell her and she flushes, which just makes her even more stunning.

The priest begins the ceremony but I don’t even look at him. I only have eyes for Julia.

When it’s time to say our ‘I do’s’ I don’t hesitate. I say ‘I do’ with my whole chest. I’m ready to be married to Julia. I’m ready to put her above everything else in my life, something I was never able to do before.

I will save her like I couldn’t save my mom.

The priests ask Julia if she’ll take me as her husband and she proudly says, “I do.”