Page 106 of Forced Union

“First I was drawn to your innocence and beauty. I thought I fell in love with you when I was an outsider looking in, observing your life from afar. But I was wrong.” I clear my throat, gathering my thoughts. “I fell in love with you when I discovered your intelligence, your stubborn determination, and your compassion. Every time you fought me, I fell a little more. Every time you showed me compassion when you had every reason not to, I fell a little harder.

“You are the bravest, strongest, most driven woman I’ve ever met. Being with you makes me strive to be worthy of you each and every day. We come from different cultures and backgrounds, but I have no doubt in my mind that you’re my soulmate and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” I open the box. “Arianna Pontrelli, will you be my wife?”

Her lips part as she gazes at the massive sparkling diamond. Then she focuses on me, and without warning, throws herself into my arms. I catch her with a startled laugh.

“Yes.” She cups my face and kisses me. “A million times, yes.”

My chest floods with warmth as I slide the engagement ring on her finger. She’s mine. And I’m hers. Forever and always.

Three Months Later

“No. No.” Arianna whimpers in her sleep. She thrashes against an invisible attacker and I reach out to calm her. She’s having another nightmare about the cage. It’s always about being taken and put in that kennel.

“Shh. Wake up, kisa. Come here. I’ve got you.” I pull her against my side, stroking her hair to gently wake her up.

Her eyelids flutter open and she focuses on me. “Dima.” She sighs, plastering herself against my body.

Minutes later, she’s fallen asleep again, but this time she’ll have peaceful dreams. As long as I’m holding her, she sleeps soundly. After how she pushed me away when she went through that traumatizing experience, I’m glad she now seeks refuge and comfort in my presence. I bury my nose in her hair, inhaling her sweet scent.

The hour is still early so I drift off again for a while. When her alarm goes off, we spend the morning making love, showering, then grabbing a bite to eat before she heads to work. I kiss her good-bye before she leaves the penthouse.

Something about today feels different than other mornings. I’m finally ready to fully let go of the past.

With that in mind, I take the elevator to the garage and take my Harley out for a ride. Not just anywhere though, I head out of town to a remote, secure warehouse where I’ve stashed the remainder of my haunted past.

Inside, I take the stairs down to the dank basement. The only thing on this level is the holding cell and its occupant. Quietly, I step inside and close the door behind me.

The naked man sitting in the corner is not Konstantin Kozlov—not anymore. He’s a broken, frail thing that’s been stripped of not only his name, wealth, and power, but also his identity. The man who used to hold so much power over me, who gave Arianna night terrors, I’ve reduced to nothing over the last few months.

Now that there’s nothing left to break in him, enough is enough. I’m done holding onto the past, the rage, and my need for vengeance.

Next month I’ll marry the woman I love. I want a fresh, clean start.

Grabbing my gun, I point it at the shell of a man who’s barely registered my presence with his one remaining eye.

“This is for what you did to my mother.” I pull the trigger. He howls in pain, clutching his thigh. “This is for Uncle Vadim.” I shoot him in the shoulder. “And this is for my wife.”

A bullet to the heart shuts him up for good.

All I feel is relief as I walk away, toward a much brighter future.

Epilogue - Arianna

“You look perfect, sweetheart. Are you about ready?” I ask Katerina and she nods. She looks adorable in her pink and white flower girl dress, basket of rose petals clutched in her tiny hands. Dimitri and I adopted her as soon as we were officially engaged and it’s been the best decision. She’s ours now, a part of our family.

My father clears his throat and offers his arm. “The real question is are you ready?”

“Yes, Papa, I am.” I take his arm, my heartbeat picking up speed. “I’m ready.”

We leave the bridal preparation suite in the old cathedral and walk toward the chapel where all of our guests have gathered. This is the wedding of my dreams. I’m wearing a one-of-a-kind gown created by Skye Adair. A plethora of flowers bring a romantic quality to the venue, and beyond the sea of people who’ve come to witness our nuptials stands the man I love.

Live music starts up and the procession begins. I chose Sophia as my maid of honor, and Ginevra and Ilaria as my bridesmaids. Standing beside Dimitri are Maks, Roman, and Blake.

As soon as my gaze falls on my soon-to-be husband it doesn’t waver. He’s ridiculously handsome in that tuxedo. His shoulders relaxed, his olive green eyes full of wonder as he stares back at me. He’s the last man on earth I thought I’d marry, but now the only man I want. Forever.

Papa shakes Dimitri’s hand, his grip stronger than it needs to be. When I move toward my fiancé, Papa tightens his hold, forcing me to glance at him. He frowns, his expression grim.

Papa ducks his head to whisper in my ear. “Are you sure about this? I can find a way to have him eliminated. You don’t have to marry him.”

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