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CHAPTER 17

MIKHAIL

She wants to play a game? I always win.

I own a casino for fuck’s sake. That’s not by chance. I showed up in Vegas with only my family and what little money I smuggled from my father when we fled.

Everything else, I built from the ground up.

If she thinks I won’t take what I want, she’s sorely mistaken.

But taking her hand would be quite the devastation to Ivan.

Screw him.

“You have got to be joking.” Enzo breaks into laughter on the other end. “You want to marry her? This morning?”

“Make it happen.” I can’t think about anything else but her. I might get tired of her later, but I need her like I’ve never wanted anyone before.

The drive within me to break her is worth the vows.

“Are you drunk? Did she drug you?” Enzo takes on a serious tone. “Put me on video.”

“What the hell? No, she didn’t.” It takes me twice, but I click the camera on.

“Hold it up to your eyes, let me see them.” His own get so close to the lens all I can see are his dark lashes.

“Jesus Christ, Enzo. I’m fine.” I glower at him.

He smirks as he gets into view. “I thought that would be the only explanation. I can’t wait to tell Frankie this shit.”

“Leave him out of this. That’s the last thing I need.” I’ve had a good working relationship with Frankie Falcone for years.

But we’re far from best friends. We both run our organizations with a hard line.

I do remember quite distinctly having to go to battle with him. And kidnapping his wife for him.

A grin pulls up my lip. Yea, I can imagine he’d get quite a kick out of this.

“Maybe I’ll throw a party and invite everyone,” Enzo snickers. “One big happy dysfunctional family.”

“Sure. Later. What about this wedding though?” My cock throbs just thinking about her in that dress.

And ripping it off her.

“Give me twenty minutes. I’ll email you the paperwork, and I’ll get a hold of one of the officiants nearby. Oh—” Enzo leans back and turns the camera towards his computer screen. “—I don’t know what you did to kick the wasp’s nest. But you might want to consider moving to the next safehouse.” He pans over the grainy black and white drone feed to show three cars and at least ten guys milling around the van I left hidden in the bushes.

Shit.

“I’ll kick her in the ass. We’ll leave right after.” Not until I see that gown.

I’ll fight all of Ivan’s army for the privilege.

Stomping the snow off my feet, I push into the heat of the cabin.

And forget how to breathe.

The fire of the morning sun catches the glitter of fine diamonds that are sewn into the hems.

She’s practically glowing. Her pale breasts push from the snug top, showing the long lines of her bare throat, slim waist, and hips that make me want to dig my fingers in until she begs for mercy.

“Well?” Ana has the audacity to raise her eyebrow while pursing her lips. “Where’s my ring, big man?”

I knew she was going to ask.

Tugging at the chain around my neck, I pull out the one thing I salvaged from the night Ivan attacked.

The one that changed my life forever.

There’s still a tinge of char around the edge, and a bit of the silver has melted off, but my mother’s ring still holds the faint pink glimmer that I remember from my youth when she wore it.

“All I have is this. I think it might fit.” Pulling the strand hard enough, it breaks apart, freeing the keepsake from its home against my heart.

“Oh.” Her eyes brighten. “It’s beautiful.”

“I thought you might like that. Your father bought it.” I hold it pinched between my fingers just long enough for her to get a long look, then slide it into my pocket.

She squints one eye with a scowl. “Why did Papa buy that for your mom?”

“When he married her.” I smirk watching her features contort.

Holding up my other hand, I stop her before she melts down. “They met and married only seven years ago. Long after we were born.” I can’t stop the grin, even if she can’t see it.

“They were unified with their mutual hatred of my father.” Grabbing her wrist, I drag her onto my lap then dial Enzo.

“I can see that. Funny, your dad is quite the matchmaker. Because of him, we met too.” She wiggles on my thigh, pushing her breasts against my chest.

Fuck. What she does to me is criminal.

“Mikhail, always good to see the sliver of your face. Ana, you look well.” Enzo smiles into the camera. He’s flanked by his associate, Romeo, and a short gray haired man.

“I remember you. Mama said you were the go-to guy.” Ana peers close to the screen. “Nice to meet you.”

Enzo nods, and holds the camera further from his body. “Okay, there are two witnesses, and this is Pastor Harold. You have roughly eight minutes until Ivan’s men make it to the cabin.” He prods the old man in the elbow.

“Yes, hello. This is quite unconventional.” His bushy eyebrows fill the frame momentarily. “I can’t quite read these names?—”

“Just ask for the ‘I do’s’,” Enzo growls at him.

“What? That isn’t—” Pastor Harold pulls out his spectacles.

“I do.” I’ll interrupt him. My hand finds Ana’s hip to press her against my cock, grinding the slick silk skirt between our legs.

“Do you?” I ask her as my fingers press the fabric between her thighs.

Her cheeks flush pink and her chin drops into a pant. “Yes, I do.” She manages to choke out when the tip of my index brushes the heat of her pussy through the gown.

“Good girl.” My mask is the only thing separating my mouth from her skin.

I’m going to make her mine before she sees the monster she married.

“Enzo,” I grunt. “How long?”

“You need to go.” He jerks the phone image. “They’re hot on you! I’ll take care of the paperwork, congrats to the happy couple. Now get the fuck out of there!”

I just hear the pastor begin to protest when I end the call.

“Come on, wife. Let’s find a safe place to rip that thing off of you.” I pick her up and throw her over my shoulder, grab my bag, and spring towards the truck.

“This isn’t very romantic.” Her words are broken with the jostling of my run.

I’d rather have her disappointed than dead. Or worse if my father gets a hold of her.

“You’re alive, aren’t you?” I toss her in the passenger seat and throw my bag into the bed before leaping behind the wheel.

A spray of snow and gravel flies up behind me as I fishtail onto the dirt road leaving the cabin. It’s a race to see if I can make it out of the driveway before Ivan’s men arrive.