Page 39 of Dark Desires (Chicago Bratva #1)
ALEXEI
I ’ve faced down some of the most dangerous criminals this world has to offer. I’ve been in gun fights, fist fights, knife fights—every kind of fight you can think of.
But never have I felt as nervous as I do standing there at the altar. I adjust my cuffs, glancing over at the massive crowd seated in the church. Soft organ music drifts around me.
To my left, my brothers stand like sentinels.
“Ready for this?” Luk asks, leaning toward me.
“Hell, yes.”
Elena stands across from me, radiant in her matron-of-honor gown.The cathedral doors swing open with a low creak.
A hush falls over the room as a procession of bridesmaids appears, followed by Isabella. She’s framed by the glow of the afternoon light, her belly round with our child.
Mario escorts Isabella down the aisle. His chest puffed out like he’s guarding royalty.
And he is. He’s guarding my queen, my future.
When they reach me, Mario nods and releases her hand.
I clasp her fingers, feeling the warmth, the life, the love that radiates from her. She smirks up at me, that mischievous tilt to her lips that’s always driven me wild.
The priest’s words wash over me, but all I hear is the steady beat of my heart and the whisper of her breath.
When it’s time, I say, “I do.”
Her “I do” is soft, but strong, her eyes never leaving mine.
When I kiss her, it’s gentle at first. Then she deepens it, her hands in my hair, reminding me that this is real, that we’re in this together. Forever.
Cheers rise from the assembled guests, the room filled with love.
An hour later, we’re at the reception. There’s dancing and music and celebration, everyone there putting aside the war that almost took place and focusing on the joining of not just two people, but two families.
I stay by her side, watching her charm everyone, from seasoned mobsters to young lieutenants. She’s a natural. The perfect blend of strength, grace, and wit. And I can see the respect in their eyes. The Mancini Family is in good hands.
I lean close to her ear. “You were made for this.”
She rolls her eyes, but she smiles. “Don’t remind me. I still plan to hand this off one day.”
“Not too soon, I hope.” I wink. “You’re damn good at it.”
Her laughter rings out, and I soak it in.
The music softens as the double doors open, and a hush falls over the room. An older man in a sharp suit steps inside, flanked by two bodyguards. The small group approaches me and Isabella.
For a moment, I worry that this is a hit.
Mario and some of the other guards quickly move into action, forming a wall between us and the new arrivals. Tension hangs in the air.
“Senor and Senora Plushenko,” the man says, his tone respectful. “My name is Jose Vaquez. I’m a representative of the former De la Rosa cartel.”
“Is that right?” I ask. “And is there a reason you’re barging into my wedding reception?”
“Not the best time or place,” Isa adds. There’s a sharpness to her voice.
“I want to apologize for my interruption. This is a happy day, and I have no intention of changing that. In fact, I may have more reason for celebration.”
“The point,” I say. “Get to it.”
He nods. “I’m here with a message from the acting leadership of the cartel. With Christian out of the picture?—"
Isa narrows her eyes. “Don’t even say his name in front of us.”
“I understand your anger,” he replies. “May that be the last time you hear his name. Anyway, I bring an offering of peace.”
Isabella’s fingers tighten around mine. I glance at her, and we share a look.
“We’re listening,” Isabella says.
I gesture to a nearby table after giving a wave to the guests to let them know that there’s nothing to be worried about. My brothers and Elena join us.
“Peace, huh?” Lev asks. “Let’s hear it.”
Jose smiles. “Thank you for taking the time. Allow me to explain…”
Jose tells us his terms or, I should say, what price he’s willing to pay for us to leave the remnants of the De la Rose cartel alone. He offers to leave the city, to never trouble us again. And he offers a sizable cash payment as a gesture of good faith.
“Christian overextended himself,” Jose says. “That won’t happen again. We have our territory in Colombia, and you have yours here. No need for war. Not to mention, with Christian in jail, and his son MIA, we have the advantage of avoiding any sort of succession crisis.”
“That’s right,” Isabella says. “You can have the cartel all to yourselves. I know for a fact that Omar wants nothing to do with it.”
“Omar,” Jose says. “What happened to that young man, anyway?”
I chuckle. “He’s safe, sound, and in love. All you need to know.”
“Couldn’t have happened to a nicer boy,” Jose adds. “Anyway, are you agreeable to my offer?”
The group and I share a look that makes it clear we’re all on the same page.
“The Ivanovs accept your terms,” Lev says.”
Isa nods. “As do the Mancinis.”
Jose smiles. “Wonderful. In that case, I’ll leave you to your celebration. We’ll be in touch to discuss the finer details of our alliance.”
Isabella leans forward. “Good. And remember--you get one chance. Don’t waste it.”
“Gracias.” He bows his head, relief in his eyes.
With that, Jose and his entourage prepare to leave.
“Jose,” Isa says. “Stay a bit. You’ve given us one more thing to celebrate.”
“It would be my pleasure.”
With that, he and his group head off to join the other guests.
“Well handled,” Lev says. “And that means we can put this war behind us.”
Luk leans forward. “There’s still the matter of the Chinese.”
“And the Greeks,” adds Grigori.
“True, true,” Elena says. “But we’re more than strong enough to handle them.”
Yuri grins. “For now, we celebrate.”
“And you two need to dance,” Luk adds. “Business is over.”
I grin. “There’s nothing I’d like more. Shall we, my love?”
She smiles. “Let’s.”
With that, we leave the table and join the others on the dance floor. I hold her close as we sway to the music. But just as I’m ready to tell her how proud I am, her hand grips my arm. Her eyes widen in surprise.
“Alexei,” she whispers. “I think we have one more thing to celebrate today.”
“What’s that, my love?”
“My water just broke.”