Page 80 of A Sinner's Virtue

The door to the room opens and I turn around to find Mikhail—in a tux, mind you—waiting for me.“You know, if you’re having second thoughts, I can get you out of here without anyone noticing,” he says.

I laugh. “I’m not.” I asked Mikhail to give me away during the planning process of the wedding.

He looked at me with confusion and said, “You think I’m going to let some other motherfucker walk you down the aisle?”

I took that as his way of saying yes.

The thought of asking anyone else was never there. Mikhail is the only father figure I have. He treats me with the same love and protection as his biological children. Although the events that led me to being in Mikhail and Izzy’s life were horrific, and personally I’d do anything to erase them from my memory, I wouldn’t want to erase Izzy or Mikhail. Their families or how they’ve become mine.

There was a moment after I was kidnapped that I thought his view of me might change. One of his best man died trying to protect me, and the other… Kon, the one who was supposed to be there with Ivan… Well, Mikhail killed him for shirking his guard duties. It turned out he was with his girlfriend. Which was another strike against the rules Mikhail has for his men. Irina was a stripper at one of their clubs here before she quit and disappeared for a while. The men are not supposed to engage with the girls. Ever. According to Mikhail, they can’t protect them properly if they’re too busy trying to get into their pants.

“Okay, well, I guess it’s time,” he says, holding out his arm. I link my arm with his as Mikhail stares down at me. “Even though you are becoming a De Bellis today, you will always be a Petrov. Don’t forget that,” he says.

“Thank you.” Tears prick my eyes. “If you make me cry and ruin my makeup, I think Izzy might stab you though.” I laugh.

Mikhail lifts one shoulder. “Wouldn’t be the first time.” He smirks.

“Let’s do this.” I look at the double doors we’re about to walk through and can’t help but think it’s symbolic. Like opening the doors to something new. Our story hasn’t ended, as Marcel likes to tell me. It’s only just beginning, and today is the start of the best chapter yet.

Zoe never fails to take my breath away. But right now? As she walks down the aisle towards me in a white dress, she’s fucking stunning. I’m overcome with emotion watching her. All of my brothers are sitting in the front pew. Zoe and I decided not to have a wedding party, wanting to be the only ones on the altar.

When she reaches me, Mikhail holds on to her hand. I know he wants to pick her up and run. He’s not a fan of Zoe growing up and getting married. I get it. I’d do anything to protect her too.

When he finally releases her, he turns to me. “If you ever break her heart, I’ll make sure you regret the day you were born.”

I nod my head. I’m not worried about his threats. It’s not the first time I’ve heard him threaten me; it’s probably not going to be the last either. I can handle it. Besides, I’m never going to break this girl’s heart.

“You look beautiful,” I tell her as I take hold of her hands.

“Thank you.” She smiles.

The priest starts the ceremony, and I gotta be honest. I don’t hear much of what he says. I’m too lost in Zoe’s eyes to notice.

That’s until she squeezes my hands and whispers, “It’s your turn.”

“Right, sorry.” I turn to the priest.

“You’ve prepared your own vows, Mr De Bellis?” he questions.

“Yes.” I turn back to the woman I can’t live without and clear my throat. “Zoe, you are everything and more than I could ever have dreamt up in a partner. That’s what you are. My partner, my best friend, my soul mate. I vow to love you through the good times and bad. Through all the healthy times, because I’m never letting you get sick. I promise to love you the way you deserve to be loved. I promise to always support your dreams, to be your strength when you don’t have any, to be your light in the darker times. I promise to love you wholly and completely always.”

The priest looks from me to Zoe. “Miss Petrov, have you prepared your own vows?”

“Yes.” Zoe doesn’t take her eyes off mine. “Marcello, I don’t think Disney could dream up a better Prince Charming than you. You are my very own saviour, my best friend. I couldn’t think of a better person to grow old with than you. I promise to always fight for us. I promise to put you above all else. To love you. To be your number one cheerleader, always and forever. I promise to fully embrace this crazy thing called life with you, to savour each chapter until the very end. I love you.”

After we exchange our vows, the priest says the words I’ve been waiting a fucking long time to hear. “You may kiss your bride.”

I don’t wait for him to finish his sentence. My lips are on Zoe’s within a heartbeat. Picking my wife up off the ground, I spin her around. “I love you, Mrs De Bellis,” I whisper against her lips before claiming them again.