Page 110 of The Umarova Crime Family

“I do,” she tells me, and I slide the ring on her finger.

“In the eyes of God and the church, you are both now wed in holy matrimony. You may kiss your bride,” the priest tells me.

I snake my arms around Eset’s waist and pull her close to me. Her eyes widen in surprise, and I dip down to press my lips onto hers. Her luscious lips pressed against mine are heavenly, and I know I want to feel these lips against mine again. One time won’t be enough for me. We continue our kiss for a few more moments until Eset pulls away.

As she does, she laughs, and the crowd begins laughing too. A woman from the museum comes up, handing me a make-up wipe. I wipe it against my lips, and cherry red lipstick comes off my lips. “I guess it’s not my color.” Eset laughs at my lighthearted joke, and the two of us walk hand in hand down the aisle.

We’re led by a staff member from the museum to different areas to have photographs taken by our photographer, with and without the rest of our bridal party. We go outside, and while it’s dark, the museum is lit up beautifully. The photographer promises the photos will be beautiful when they’re done. I really don’t give a shit what they look like. As long as Eset’s happy, that’s all that matters in my eyes.

She’s smiling for every photo, the two of us getting more up close and personal than we’ve ever been. We even get some photographs with her family, and then some pictures with my father too.

“Welcome to the family, Eset. Anything you need, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We protect our own.”

“As do the Umarovas.” Eset offers my father a half-smile, and by the way he grows quiet, I know he’s wondering if Eset is an ally or an enemy. She’s most definitely the latter, but he doesn’t know that yet.

“Son, I do need to speak to you if you have a moment.” My father’s tone is a bit pressing, which has me wondering what’s so important he needs to speak to me about it now.

“Can it wait? It is my wedding day, after all, Father.”

“It cannot. I’m afraid it’s some grave news, and we need to speak privately,” my father urges.

I look over at Eset, and she gives me a nod, silently approving for me to go off and handle whatever I need to. I motion with my head for my father to follow me to a more private area. Though it isn’t completely private, it is concealed, so no one would be able to eavesdrop easily. “What’s going on?”

My father licks his lips. “Lu is dead. Her head was delivered to me with a message.”

“What?” I blink rapidly, acting shocked, even though I know the damn truth. My wife killed her, and while Lu deserved everything she had coming, I need to act like I’m shocked by what he told me.

“Yes, so our enemies are close, watching everything we’re doing. I was shocked to see them here today,” my father grumbles, almost insinuating I could’ve stopped Eset from inviting certain people.

“Play nice. This is my wedding day. Eset has ties to Alejandro, so you need to calm down while I get my nails hooked into her. I’ve already begun influencing her, bit by bit. She even asks me about things now, which goes to show how important I am in her eyes.”

“The man whose throne I aim to take is here, and you expect me to act like everything is okay.”

I look my father sternly in the eye, and he clenches his jaw. “You will refrain from losing your shit today. Of all days, today is when you need to keep it together. I’m not going to have the memories forged today ruined for Eset. Women wait their entire lives for their wedding days, so keep it together.”

“You have some nerve speaking to me like this, Santos. I’m your father. It’s not the other way around, remember?”

“Yes, I’m your son, but today things are going my way because I’ll be damned if my wife is fucking disrespected. Do you understand me?” I snarl at him, keeping my voice low but not too low. I need him to take me seriously, and right now, it’s go time. He’s going to keep walking all over me if I don’t drill my point into his head.

“Your wife is more important than your family, is that it?”

“I’ve said no such thing. My wife is my family, or do you not realize what a wife is?”

My father raises his brows and clears his throat. “It’s good to know where your loyalties lie.” Then he walks away without so much as another word, and I’m hoping he realizes he’s overreacting.

The reality is he has no idea where the fuck my loyalties lie.

Chapter Fourteen

Eset

Santos has been off speaking with his father for a few minutes when I notice Julio storming off. Santos swallows hard and walks back over to me. While he was chatting with his father, I was taking some solo shots with the photographer.

“Do you think that’s enough photographs?” I question the photographer, who nods immediately.

“Yes, we have so many. I’ll spend the rest of my time here today taking photos of your reception. I want you both to be able to look back on this day and smile,” she tells me, and I offer her a soft smile in return.

“Thank you. We both really appreciate that.” It’s my first time speaking for my husband, too, and it feels kind of nice. It feels natural, really.

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