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He'd have a goal, a mission. And so he wouldn't let himself succumb to the pain that is the truth of Vanya's death.

But while I'm actively supporting his new endeavor, that doesn't mean he can strain his barely healed body. He has plenty of people to work on that.

Another side effect of toppling down Miles' and Meester's business had been recruiting a lot of new people under Vlad's leadership.

Most had also sought him out after news got out that he'd been the one to dispatch all the syndicate leaders, and many men had declared they wanted to work for the strongest, not the weakest.

It had been rather fortuitous, as we've recently put together the plans for the academy, and we'll need a lot of people to make Vlad's vision happen.

"I want things to go back to normal. I feel useless like this…" he groans, lifting his fingers to his temples and massaging them.

"I know," I sigh. "But I need you to be healthy, Vlad. I can't have another scare like that one."

I still have nightmares of him being shot, blood pouring out of him…

I shake myself, knowing it's never helpful to dwell on that.

"You won't. I promise you." He takes my hand, tugging me toward him. "You're my one reason to get well, hell girl. So I will," he murmurs softly, his lips on my forehead as he trails small kisses all over my face. "Everything for you."

"Good," I whisper, leaning into him and feeling his warmth on my skin. "I love you," I tell him, my lips parted as I give myself over to a breathless kiss.

"I love you too. Always."

A FEW MONTHS LATER

"You know you don't have to do this, Sisi," my brother tells me from behind.

Fixing my hair, I turn to face him.

"Are we doing this again, Marcello? I thought we moved past that." I shake my head at him when I see the slight smile on his face.

"I had to try." He shrugs, giving me his arm.

As we head out of the house and toward the garden, he suddenly stops, laying a kiss on my forehead.

"I'm sorry," he apologizes, and I note that he really means it. "I've known Vlad my entire life, and I thought I knew everything there was about him. But I guess I never tried to look deeper. Not like you did." He gives me a brief smile.

"I may never be completely comfortable knowing you're with him, because I've seen him at his worst, and…

well, you know his worst too." He chuckles.

"But I can see how happy he makes you. I've also seen how happy you make him.

Even as I'm reluctant to admit it, there's something about you two when you're together.

Almost as if you're always in your own little world. "

My lips tug up into a smile at his words, because he is right. There can be a thousand people around, but if Vlad is next to me, then it's always going to be just the two of us.

"I recognize you have something special, and you have my promise that I won't try to interfere again."

"Thank you. That means a lot to me," I tell him, going on my tip-toes to give him a kiss on his cheek. "And thank you for welcoming me to the family."

"Sisi. I'll always be your family." He pulls me into a hug. "No matter what," he continues, and my heart warms at his words.

"Good," I sniffle, already the urge to cry overwhelming. "We should go before I burst into tears," I joke, grabbing his arm and starting again toward the garden.

A small gazebo is at the end of the walking path. Vlad had built it with his own hands when he'd gotten the green light that he could finally do physical work. And he'd dedicated it to his sister's memory. A V insignia sits at the top of the roof, the shiny marble glinting in the sunlight.

There are two rows of seats on each side of the windy path, all full of friends and family. Lina, Claudia, Venezia and Katya are on one side, all wearing dainty light-blue dresses, each holding a small flower bouquet.

Their faces light up when they see us approach, and I send them an airy kiss and a wink as we continue to walk.

On the other side, Seth, Adrian and Tiberius are standing behind Vlad, their black suits dashingly elegant even though they must be sweating in this heat.

And then there's him.

My Vlad.

He looks nervous as he paces around, his head whipping in our direction as we near the gazebo.

And when he sees me, his eyes grow wide, his smile blinding as he looks upon me, his gaze smoldering with love and… I grow hot just as I feel his attention on me, a blush going up my cheeks.

I suddenly feel breathless as I step next to him, Marcello handing him my hand—with no funny retort either.

"Ready?" he whispers, tugging me close.

I raise my head, moistening my lips to reply to him, but as I note the wicked gleam in his eyes, my mouth parts of its own accord, no sound coming out.

The corner of his mouth lifts in a lopsided smile as he smirks at me, that sinful arrogance that always drips from him and makes me want to both kill him and love him at the same time.

Still, there's no mistaking the rapt adoration in his eyes as he peruses my face, moving over every inch of exposed skin and leaving a trail of goosebumps in his wake. He doesn't have to touch me or do anything.

Just the way he looks at me, as if he'd shred my wedding dress off of my body before prompting me to run so he could hunt me has me sweating under layers of tulle.

I know what he's thinking.

His teeth skim the surface of his lower lip as his attention is fixated on my neck, right where his initial is branded against my skin.

"Are you pleased with how everything looks?" he purrs, never once taking his eyes off me.

"Yes," I breathe out, the sudden nearness getting to my head and making me dizzy with want.

Damn it.

Even now, of all days, I can't seem to control myself around him, so lost in his aura, his energy enveloping me and swallowing me whole.

"It's exactly like I wanted it," I tell him, which earns me a grin from him.

The idea of a formal wedding celebration had come to me after I'd found the perfect wedding dress online.

I was simply browsing the internet when I'd come across this stunning off white gown with a tight bodice and a flaring skirt reminiscent of a Victorian ballgown.

I'd been so struck by it, that one day I found myself blurting out to Vlad that I wanted a real wedding.

He'd been surprised at first, since I hadn't mentioned that before, but he'd quickly adapted, calling everyone and putting things in motion for me to have my perfect wedding.

He's been so sweet, taking care of absolutely everything, making sure everything had my approval before the big day.

Now, I find myself wearing my dream dress, at my dream wedding, with my dream man. And I can't help the giddiness that forms inside of me.

"Shall we then?"

"We shall." I smile.

The ceremony is short but sweet, and compared to my first attempt at a wedding, I actually listen to all the words.

My hand in his, the warmth that seeps from his skin is the only comfort I need to know that we are in this not only till death do us apart—but beyond.

The ceremony nears its end as the minister urges us to exchange rings.

"I knew I missed something the first time," Vlad mutters amused as he slides a gorgeous silver band over my finger.

"I was so mad at you I didn't even realize it," I admit, as I take my turn at placing the ring on his finger.

We'd had them custom made, and we'd engraved two phrases very dear to our hearts on the inside of the bands. The same phrases that we utter now, when we are pronounced husband and wife.

"There's no Vlad without Sisi," he's the first to say, bringing my fingers to his mouth for a sensual kiss.

"And no Sisi without Vlad," I complete the phrase, my pulse speeding up the more he lingers with his lips on my flesh.

In this moment, no matter how much I'd wanted a fully organized wedding with everyone in attendance, I only want him—to ravish me, mark me, sear himself in my soul.

But alas, we cannot have that.

Not when we're suddenly interrupted by everyone as they come to congratulate us on the nuptials.

"Congratulations, Aunt Sisi," Claudia gives me a big hug.

"Thank you, love." I kiss her cheeks, happy to know we're now welcomed in Marcello's home and I can see her any time I want.

Everyone comes to me for kisses and a hug. One look to the right and I notice Vlad in a similar situation as men come to shake hands with him, congratulating him for the wedding and for finally getting himself a woman.

I almost blush as I hear some of the conversations they are having, but the girls are quick to take me aside, the gossip and chatter going strong.

We'd turned the entire back garden into a venue for the wedding, and with its front view toward the ocean, it really is the dream wedding.

"I always wanted to ask you." Bianca comes to my side, a glass of nonalcoholic champagne in her hand. "How did you tame him?"

"Tame him?" I raise an eyebrow.

"I've known him for more than a decade. I know him. 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 him can be 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," she suddenly 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.