Page 403 of The Devil's Fire

“Ah, Bellavia! It seems I’m your father-in-law now.” Alexei chuckled, joining Damiano.

Now that he knew Althaia was his daughter, he had no intention of staying away, especially on her wedding day. He had missed out on twenty-five years of her life, and he was determined to be a part of her future for as long as he lived.

“In your dreams, Vasiliev.” Damiano sipped his whiskey.

He couldn’t do anything about having Alexei at their wedding, since his bride wanted him to be here. However, Alexei was doing a good job of keeping to himself to not cause tension between him and everyone else. Good thing he only brought Nestor with him.

“That is my daughter, isn’t it? That means I am your father-in-law.” Alexei continued. He loved rubbing it in his face.

Damiano let out a genuine chuckle, slapping Alexei’s back a few times as he leaned into him, both looking at Althaia.

“Correct. That is your daughter. And later, I’m going to slip that dress off her and fuck her all night.” Alexei’s smirk fell and Damiano clinked his glass against Alexei’s. “Drinks are on me. Motherfucker.” Damiano smirked while making his way to his bride.

Alexei scoffed and sipped his drink but smiled when Jacinta walked up to him.

“Solnishko.”

“Lunnyy svet.” She smiled when he pulled her into him.

He looked at her, his gaze softened as he spoke.

“Enough time has passed. When we’re done here, you and I are getting married. It’s time for you to bear my name, as you should have from the beginning. Your father isn’t here to stop us, and neither is my mother. Let us finally live the life we were meant to.”

Alexei meant every single word. He never took a partner, knowing his heart couldn’t belong to anyone but her.

Jacinta watched his expression, seeing that he was being serious.

“Then let’s get married.” Jacinta smiled. After so many years, she finally wanted to live her life with the only man she ever loved.

She had gotten a new identity since she was supposed to be dead, but now she can finally have a name that meant something.

That was the reason she stabbed him close to his heart in the first place. If she couldn’t have him, no one else could.

“As if you have a choice.” Alexei teased, and Jacinta jokingly jabbed her elbow into his side as they watched their daughter being the happiest she had ever been.

Alexei was a bit disappointed that she had given up her birthright, but he understood. The agreement was to have the conversation one more time when her kids were old enough to decide what they wanted to do, and he hoped a grandchild of his would take over.

Althaia continued to laugh as Nonna had practically gathered all the young ones, lecturing them about how they should get married as soon as possible and give her great-grandbabies. Even Michael was getting the speech, as he was now part of la Famiglia Bellavia.

Damiano found him too valuable to dispose of, but he would have to work his way up. He accepted because he wanted to be close to the only people he saw as family.

Michael was happy for Althaia; his feelings for her had long faded, and he knew he would never be able to make her happy. Also, he might have just found someone he was falling for.

He looked at his date with a smile. No one knew she was the legendary Ghost, and if Raffaele knew, they would never get a quiet night.

“Don’t keep me waiting too long! I’m not getting any younger! And don’t wait until you’re fifty like Damiano!” Nonna gave stern looks to all of them, except for Althaia.

“Nonna, I’m thirty-one.” Damiano sighed, stepping right up at the time to be insulted. But Nonna ignored him.

“Arianna! Get married to Dom by the end of the year and give me babies! Cara! I expect you to be pregnant by the end of the year!”

Cara choked on her drink and laughed nervously.

“Maybe one day, Nonna.”

“Ay, ay, these young people have no respect for their elders anymore…” Nonna complained, and Eleonora laughed.

“Let’s get you some wine, madre.” She led her away while Nonna continued to complain. Even Riccardo found it amusing. He did not miss the days when she was after him.

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