Chapter 43
Nikolai
“Hey,” Maxim answers my call. “I’m starting to think you hate me.” Letting out a chuckle, I ask, “Why?”
“Cami is a fucking headache,” he complains.
“Cami?” I tease him. “You already have a nickname for Camilla?” “Shut up,” he grumbles, then his tone softens, “How are you?” “I’m getting married,” I drop the bomb.
“What?” There’s a moment of stunned silence. “To Abigail?” “Yes.” I grin from ear to fucking ear. “She’s the one.”
“Damn, brother.” I hear the happiness in my best friend’s voice. “That’s great. When’s the wedding?”
“This Sunday. Please tell me you can get the day off. I’ll send the private jet for you.”
“Let me speak to Mr. DuBois. I’m sure one of the other guards can babysit Cami for the day.”
I clear my throat. “I’m asking my father to be my best man. You understand, right?”
“Of course. I’m just fucking happy you met the love of your life. You deserve it, Nikolai.”
Emotion washes over me. “It means a lot coming from you.”
“Listen, I have to go, but I’ll be in touch regarding Sunday. What time is the wedding?”
“Ten in the morning.” “Okay. I’ll talk to you soon.”
We end the call, and tucking my phone in my pocket, I call out, “Baby, I’m heading over to my parents’ place. I’ll be back in an hour.”
“Okay,” she answers absentmindedly from where she’s lost in her painting.
I leave our home and walk toward the main house, my mind going over all the arrangements for the wedding ceremony. I want it to be nothing short of perfect for Abigail.
My phone starts to ring, and pulling the device out of my pocket, I see Emilio Sartori’s name flashing on the screen.
Fucking bastard.
“What do you want?” I answer, unable not to growl.
“I received the invitation to the wedding,” the asshole mutters. “You’re not wasting any time putting a ring on my daughter’s finger, are you?”
I suck in a deep breath to keep calm, not wanting to give the fucker the satisfaction of knowing he’s upsetting me.
“My wife and I won’t be attending,” he informs me.
Just like I thought, he’s too fucking cowardly to meet me on my turf.
It’s the only reason I sent the invitation.
“There’s no way I’m setting foot on the Vetrov island,” he sneers. “I’m not that fucking stupid.”
I let out a chuckle. “I’m sorry to say you won’t be missed.”
“I’ll arrange an extravagant celebration here in Italy where all the mafia and bratva families can witness the union of our two families.”
I let out an overly patient sigh, “Yeah, I’m sure you can’t wait to flaunt that you’re connected to the Vetrovs through marriage. Do you even care about Abigail?”
“Of course,” he chuckles. “The hundred million in my bank account is a welcome bonus.”
Fucker.
“After the wedding celebration in Italy, I’ll make sure you see her as little as possible,” I vow.
“Good. It means I won’t have to look at you.”
The call ends, and I stop to close my eyes so I can calm down before entering my parents’ house.
I can’t wait until Emilio Sartori is lying on his deathbed so I can tell him everything he’s ever worked for will belong to my and Abigail’s oldest child.
His life’s work will belong to a Vetrov.
Heading inside the house, I hear everyone talking in the kitchen.
Mom’s head snaps up when I enter. “Oh good, you’re here. Do you want butterflies or doves to be released after you’ve said your I-dos?”
“Butterflies,” I answer. I take hold of my Dad’s arm to get his attention, and in front of my family, I ask, “Will you be my best man?”
His eyes lock on mine, and I watch as emotions wash over his features. “I’d be honored, son.”
We don’t get to bask in our moment for long because Mom’s in wedding mode. “Abigail needs to come over this afternoon so Dana can have her fit on the dress. For the love of God, make sure she doesn’t have paint on her hands. I’ll shit myself if she gets it on the dress.”
I chuckle, loving how excited my mom is about the wedding.
Sunday will be perfect, just like Abigail is, and then she’ll have my last name.
Abigail Vetrov. Fucking perfect.
Abbie
Dressed in the wedding gown of my dreams, I’m speechless and overly emotional.
The heart-shaped lace bodice leaves my shoulders bare, and at my waist, chiffon falls in a cloud to my bare feet. My hair hangs in a long braid down my back, baby’s breath woven into the strands.
I stare at my beautiful reflection, in total wonder at the pure bliss that’s my life.
Hi, Abbie. I’m so proud of you. Look how far you’ve come.
Tears blur my eyes, and I swallow hard.
You’ve survived so much and managed to get the man of your dreams. Thank you for fighting for me.
“Are you ready?” Winter asks softly from the doorway.
Turning around, a wave of emotion hits hard, and I struggle to keep the tears back.
“Oh, baby,” she coos as she rushes to me. I’m pulled into a gentle hug. “It’s okay to cry on your special day.”
Pulling back, I inhale deeply before I meet her eyes. “Thank you for everything, Winter. I appreciate you so much.”
A soft smile curves her lips as she adjusts a curl by my ear. “Will you do me one favor?”
“Anything,” I whisper.
“Love my boy as much as I do.”
I nod, a tear spiraling down my cheek.
“Okay, it’s actually two favors,” she chuckles as she blinks to stop her own tears from falling.
I smile through the emotion overwhelming me. “Will you please call me mom?”
Oh shit. There goes my makeup.
My face crumbles, and I hug her so hard as a sob escapes me. “I’d like that very much, Mom.”
“Oh my God,” Please tell me you’re both not crying your makeup off,” Grandma Dana cries as she hurries toward us.
Mom and I pull apart, chuckling as Grandma Dana tries to salvage our makeup.
When we’ve calmed down enough to leave the room, nerves spin in my stomach. We exit the house and walk to the woods. Right before we reach the small clearing where Nikolai proposed to me, Mom and Grandma Dana leave me alone so they can take their seats.
Soft piano notes fill the air, and I’m so freaking emotional that my whole body is trembling like a leaf in a shit-storm. I’ve decided to walk myself down the aisle like the strong, independent woman I am.
I suck in a quivering breath, my heart racing in my chest as the tempo starts building, then I take a step forward.
Then another. And another.
I break through the trees, and seeing all our loved ones seated on either side of the white rose petal aisle, a tear spirals down my cheek.
Then my gaze locks on Nikolai, his features tense with emotion as he stares at me in absolute wonder. Subtly he tries to brush a tear away from the corner of his eye.
Slowly, I move toward the man who’s changed my entire life, and when the final notes of the song trickle through the air, I stop in front of him.
“Christ,” he whispers, his voice hoarse. “You take my breath away, Abigail.”
He leans down and presses a tender kiss to my forehead before we turn to face Grandpa Cillian, who’s officiating the marriage.
Grandpa Cillian smiles at us, pride shining from his eyes, then he says, “I was told to make this short and sweet.” Our guests chuckle. “Wow, can
we all just take a moment to look at this beautiful bride my grandson managed to snag?”
I let out a burst of laughter and turn in a circle so everyone can see my dress.
“She’s too gorgeous for you, Nikolai,” Maxim calls out. I met him earlier when he arrived on the island.
I love how light-hearted the atmosphere is.
Grandpa Cillian draws our attention back to him as he says, “Nikolai and Abigail have chosen to say their own vows.”
Yeah, I’m so going to suck at this, but here goes nothing.
I turn to face Nikolai, and we take hold of each other’s hands.
“Mr. Vetrov,” I say with all the seduction I can muster while feeling so damn emotional. “There’s only one word to describe you.” I suck in a trembling breath. “Hero.”
Oh Jesus, please give me the strength not to cry until I’m done talking.
“You’re my hero.” My voice is so strained I fear he might not understand what I’m saying. “You’re everything I ever wanted. I annoyed you with my corny come-on lines. I drove you insane with my persistent flirting.”
Nikolai smiles at me as he remembers when we first met.
My voice is nothing but a soft whisper. “You carried me through my darkest moment. You became the solid ground beneath my feet, the sun warming my days, and the love I never had.”
He reaches up to brush the tears from my cheeks. “You’re my everything, Nikolai.”
When it’s his turn, he clears his throat. “Everyone knows I’m a stubborn bastard who doesn’t like it when people mess with my routine.” Chuckles and mutters of agreement come from the guests. “But you, Abigail,” he shakes his head as he stares at me with unconditional love. “You didn’t let it scare you off, and I’m so thankful for your bravery and sass. You’re so deep in my heart and soul, there’s no more me. There’s only us and our future together.”
He takes a step closer to me as he says, “You’re my beginning and my end, Abigail.”
While we say our I-dos, we slip our wedding rings on, and a moment later, Grandpa Cillian pronounces us husband and wife.
Nikolai sweeps an arm around me, then tips me backward before he kisses the ever-living crap out of me.
When he lifts his head, he stares deeply into my eyes. “Hi, Mrs.
Vetrov.”
A smile spreads over my face. “Say it again.”
He rights me on my feet, and taking my hand, he turns me to face our guests. “I’d like to introduce you all to my wife, Mrs. Vetrov.” Shaking his head, his eyes drift over me with adoration. “Isn’t she exquisite?”
The guests stand up, and suddenly white butterflies fill the clearing.
I cover my mouth with both my hands as I look up, the tiny wings looking like snowflakes. “Oh my God, Nikolai,” I breathe. “It’s beautiful.”
Coming to stand behind me, he presses a kiss to my temple. “I’m happy you love it.”
Turning around in his arms, I look up at the man I love more than life itself. And that’s saying a lot because I love my life.
I place my palms on his jaw, and lifting myself on my tiptoes, I kiss him with everything I feel for him, then I whisper by his ear, “I’m so going to fuck your brains out later.”
“I’ll hold you to that promise,” he chuckles.
We turn to our guests, and as we make our way down the aisle, applause and cheers fill the air.
We spend a perfect day with our loved ones before I get to go home with my husband so I can show him just how much he means to me.
Tomorrow we’ll leave for our short honeymoon in Ha Long Bay, situated in Vietnam, where I’ll spend my first week as Nikolai Vetrov’s wife – the one he chose for himself.
(Five years later…)