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"I've known him for more than a decade. Iknowhim. And yet, I don't think I do, do I?" she asks, her gaze turning toward where Vlad is deep in conversation with Adrian and Marcello.

"I didn't tame him. I don't think someone like himcanbe tamed," I answer honestly.

Even without his episodes, there's still a savagery to Vlad that defies every logic. He's a wild beast in an expensive suit, and he knows it. Oh, he definitely knows it as he gives me that wicked grin of his, arching an eyebrow in a quiet dare.

"I just…" I pause, trying to find the words. "I saw him. I saw who he was behind the mask."

"You're probably the first and the last," she mumbles, downing her glass. "I'm going to grab some of that cake," shesuddenly changes the topic, her palms over her huge belly, "this kid will be the death of me." She shakes her head, heading to the cake stand.

I mingle a little more with the guests, taking the time to talk a little with everyone in part.

"How are you doing, Katya?" Grabbing a plate of cake, I take a seat next to her.

She's not as far along as Bianca, but her pregnancy has had some complications, so she's not allowed to move a lot.

"Good." She smiles. "Great. This is… wonderful. I'm so happy for you two," she tells me, her words imbued with warmth as she takes my hands in hers.

Tiberius is next to her, looking out of his element among so many people, his gaze fluttering from side to side as if he expects danger at any moment. His hand is placed protectively over Katya's shoulder and he hasn't moved from her side for a moment.

We still don't know exactly the extent of what happened to them in captivity, and both are currently seeing a therapist to help them deal with the residual trauma. Katya's mentioned in passing, though, that she's had a few other pregnancies before this, but I hadn't probed about what happened to those babies, since it must be a tough subject for her.

"I don't think I could have ever imagined that it would be Vlad who saved me—us," Katya continues, her gaze on her brother. "I always thought there was more to him than what people were saying." She turns toward me. "I'm happy he has you."

"Thank you." I squeeze her hand. "I know it's been hard to get closer to him. But don't give up. He's not the best when it comes to emotions."

"Really?" she asks, amused, pointing to the crowd that's gathered at the back of the garden.

I frown as I see Vlad wheeling in a grill and setting it up, calling out everyone's attention.

"Thank you everyone for coming to celebrate our wedding." He lifts a glass up. "I think I'm supposed to do a speech?" He frowns. "Maybe… or maybe not," he smiles roguishly, "but I'll do one anyway."

Taking off his tux blazer, he drapes it on a chair, slowly folding the sleeves of his shirt.

"The first time I saw Sisi, I knew I could never live without her," he starts and red creeps up my cheeks as I realize what he's doing.

Everyone claps at his words.

"She took one look at me and then ignored me. If that's not love at first sight, then I don't know what is," he continues, everyone chuckling at his joke.

He quickly sobers up though.

"I could stand here and extol her virtues forever, since even her imperfections are perfect to me," he winks at me, "but more than anything I want to thank her."

My eyebrows shoot up, curious at what he has to say. Everyone is listening attentively too, and I think for many this is the first time they are seeing Vlad being anything other than his jokester self.

"Thank you for trying to save me when everyone thought I was doomed. Thank you forsavingme when everyone gave up on me. And thank you for saving me whenIthought I was beyond saving." He pauses, an unyielding intensity in his eyes as he looks at me. "That I am here, right now, is all because of you, hell girl. And that's why," he smirks, "moving forward I will liveonlyfor you."

Everyone claps again, with some people whispering that this can't be the same Vlad they knew.

But as I look at him, so dashing in his plain white shirt and black pants, I can only feel immensely flattered, my heart beating loudly in my chest at his declaration.

"I'd also like to give you a gift," he says, and now I'm even more curious as I watch him work around the grill before taking off his shirt and sitting down on a chair.

Sasha gets up and goes around him, a small pouch in his hand as he takes out a scalpel.

My mouth parts in surprise as it dawns on me what he's doing.

I'm not the only one completely flabbergasted by this display, gasps erupting around me as the scalpel cuts into Vlad's back, removing a small square of flesh and placing it on the grill.