Page 41 of Scarlet Promise (Yegorov Bratva #4)

Alina

The tiny church is full of people I love. People who mean something to me.

But my nerves are rocketing wildly. Baby Katerina coos and looks so adorable with her big violet eyes and dark curls in her white dress. Albert stands beside the stroller with my baby in it. He’s got his tux on, which makes him look like the best dog ever.

Nadya, Maize, and Sasha keep her occupied as Erin and Isla and Erin’s friend Kara fuss over me. Sasha has the ring, and the other two girls are my flower girls.

“I don’t want this big wedding,” I say, secretly thrilled that Ilya went out of his way to find a gorgeous stone church in the country.

It’s romantic, idyllic, and something that makes me beyond happy.

Isla fusses with the veil. “Nonsense.”

Then she squeezes my cheek.

“You look stunning,” Isla whispers.

The music starts, and I think of somehow getting a message to Ilya to elope, but of course, I don’t want to elope. I want everyone here to witness our love. To be here for our wedding.

“I’m getting a good seat,” Kara says as she peers out. “Here comes that long, cool drink of hotness, Isaak.”

She slides out the door, and Isla casts her a dirty look, which I ignore.

Isaak comes in.

“Ready?” he says to me as he scoops up the baby and takes Albert’s diamond encrusted leash. “This thing’s got a diaper, right?”

“The baby or the dog?” I ask, trying to keep a straight face.

He frowns. “Both.”

The door opens again, and my brother comes in, handsome in his tux. He looks almost as nervous as he did when he married Erin.

As the real music starts up, Isaak disappears out the door with the dog and my daughter. The “ohhs” and “awws” from the people rise up throughout the church.

Isaak’s one of Ilya’s best men, as is Albert, and we wanted our daughter to be a part of it, so we decided she should stand with her daddy in one of her godfather’s arms.

Next, the children leave, Sasha holding his little sister’s and Maize’s hands.

Then Erin and Isla go.

Finally, as the wedding march begins, my brother holds out his arm.

“I’m happy for you,” he says. “And Ilya. I was a stubborn ass. But I guess part of me was scared I’d lose both of you, not form a stronger bond.”

“And?” I say, determined not to cry and ruin my makeup.

He rolls his eyes. “And you were right. I was wrong. Ilya could run his bratva, but his talent lies as my second, and mine lies in listening to him. We complement each other. And because I got out of my own way, because he’s Ilya, and you’re you, you gave me the chance to accept it.

And we’re stronger than ever. So thank you, Alina. ”

“I love you.”

“I love you. Plus, you gave me an adorable niece.”

Smiling, I put my arm through Demyan’s, and he leads me out to give me away.

He’s officially growing our family.

And I feel so blessed.

“…in sickness and in health,” the pastor says, “for as long as you both shall live?”

“I do,” I say.

He turns to Ilya and repeats the words.

Without missing a beat, Ilya says, “I do.”

We didn’t write vows. We said those to each other last night. We’ve said our own words of love every night to each other.

This is my love, my life, my man, my husband. My best friend.

I can’t describe the love I hold for him and our baby daughter.

We slip the rings on each other’s fingers, and our haze of love silences the rest of the world to a background buzz. The only clear thing is Ilya, especially when he kisses me.

I cling to him and kiss him back, tasting the future, happiness, a life to be lived, love.

And when we part, we’re married.

Unlike last time, this is real.

We know who we are and where we stand.

And that place is love.

Our reception is small. It’s located in the town where we’re staying, where Ilya has a country house, courtesy of his horrible grandfather.

I know what happened to Melor, someone I barely now think about. I know because I asked, and I understand. I’m glad he’s dead. And I’m gladder still that both my brother and Ilya didn’t go any farther down the path of torture. It’s already borderline too much.

But…I get it.

“May I dance with the bride?” a familiar voice says.

Ilya’s got Albert in one arm, Katerina in the other, and I think my ovaries explode at the sight.

It’s the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.

And I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it. I won’t ever see him hold our daughter and not find it sexy, because a big, strong man like him being so careful and natural with a tiny baby is hot . Add Albert, the formerly scared dog, to the mix, and I’m a goner.

“If there’s room,” I say with a laugh.

He hands me Albert. “There’s room.”

I laugh once again and kiss him, then Katerina, and then Albert. There are other dogs here as well.

Eva brought along the ones she’s fostering, and already, they’re a hit.

“You like?—”

“The wedding was magical,” I say, cutting him off.

He leans down and bites my lip. “I didn’t finish. Do you like this house?”

“It’s nice.”

“The grounds are huge. They have horses, a full live-in staff. And I was thinking of giving them more to do. Maybe hiring a full-time vet, setting up an adoption center, shelters.”

“In this town?”

“Here,” he says. “You were talking about an animal sanctuary where dogs and cats can come and live out their days if they don’t get adopted. We could turn it into something special. Like you want.”

My heart picks up speed. “Like the cat cafes we have and the doggy day centers?”

“Like a place they can call home. The ones people don’t want, they can stay here.”

We’ve done a lot already. Eva runs a bigger, better shelter now, one with more facilities, more foot traffic, and more room to take in more dogs.

We hired staff, too. I also have three other shelters, plus some cat cafes and the dog equivalent, where the social dogs can play with people and get their activity fix while hopefully getting adopted.

We save a lot of dogs from death. Cats too. But I’ve been looking for a big space to have a sanctuary…

“This place, Ilya?”

He nods. “My gift to you. This would be perfect, right?”

I look at him in wonder. Albert barks as Katerina babbles, grabbing at her daddy.

I kiss him. “I love you so much, Ilya Belov. You’re my heart.”

“And you’re mine.”

“This place is perfect,” I say.

I know he’ll be there to help me.

But I bite my lip. “I didn’t get you a wedding present.”

He kisses me softly. “You have.”

“I have?”

“Albert. Katerina. You. I have you.”

Always , I think, snuggling against him.

And forever.