Page 109 of Born into Sin

I nod because it’s not the first time I’ve heard this, but I’m still not about to force my cousins into marriage to secure a business deal. I also don’t mention that my uncle has been unfaithful throughout the majority of his marriage. I’m glad my uncle and aunt have found a way to make that work, but that’s not how I do things.

“Anyway,” my uncle continues when it’s obvious I’m not going to start arranging marriages anytime soon, “I’m happy that you’re happy.” After a few seconds, he adds, “Isabella would have loved seeing you like this.”

The thought of my sister still makes my chest ache, but the pain is nothing compared to what it once was. Natalya has healed me in more ways than one. I’ll always miss my sister, but I’m able to smile at the memories of her now. I’m able to focus on the good instead of holding on to all the anger.

“She would have,” I agree, wishing like hell she could be here to see it. I think she would’ve loved my wife.

My uncle squeezes my shoulder and raises his glass in a silent toast to my sister. I do the same as we watch the guests celebrate my wedding.

Taking another drink, I smile when Natalya meets my eyes and gives me a wink before lifting her dress up just enough to tease me with a quick glimpse of the heels she’s wearing. My jaw clenches when I see the pink heels with the straps tied around her ankles.

“I can feel you thinking sexual thoughts about my daughter.”

I turn my head to meet Lev’s grim expression. He looks back at his daughter, giving her a big smile while raising his glass of vodka before turning back to me, frown already in place.

Matvey laughs and takes a step closer. “He’s only thinking what we all thought on our wedding day.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Lev says.

My uncle makes a soft grunting noise and then downs the last of his wine. “I’ll see you later, Dominic.”

Vitaly walks over with a big grin on his face, watching my uncle disappear into the crowd. “Well, he’s warmed up to us about as much as his brother did.”

“He loves Natalya, though,” I tell them, “so at least there’s that.”

“Of course he does.” Lev looks offended at the very idea of someone not liking his daughter. “How could he not?”

“My thoughts exactly,” I tell him.

It earns me the smallest of half smiles.

Vitaly pulls out his phone and holds it up. “I want a photo of the two of you.”

“Jesus,” Lev groans.

“Oh come on, just one of the two of you.” When neither one of us budges, he waves his hand at Roman and yells something in Russian. Roman laughs and walks off, returning a few seconds later with one of the photographers. Lev and I both turn to glare at a laughing Vitaly.

“Oops, now you kind of have to. It’ll cause a big scene if you don’t, and I know neither one of you wants to ruin our sweet Natalya’s day.”

“You are such a fucker,” Lev mutters.

The photographer walks over while Danil joins his brothers so everyone can get in on this moment. Vitaly stands next to the woman with the camera, arms crossed and one hand on his chin like he’s deep in thought. Then he holds his hands up to make a box and closes one eye, giving off the impression that he’s viewing this all from an artistic standpoint.

“I think they should be embracing.” He turns to look at her. “What do you think? Kind of like you’re capturing a bonding moment between Lev and his son-in-law.”

She nods and holds her camera up. “That could be really good.”

Vitaly beams at us while Lev and I both groan. Taking a side step so we’re almost touching, Lev puts his arm around my shoulders.

“Let’s just get this over with before he tries to get us to hug chest to chest.”

I laugh at Lev’s grumpy voice and return the side hug. The woman snaps a bunch of photos while Vitaly laughs and nudges Matvey.

“Is it just me, or are you seeing Christmas card potential here?”

Matvey laughs and shakes his head at Vitaly. “Don’t forget that you’re going to be father of the bride one day.”

That sobers Vitaly up. “Jesus, she’s a wild thing, too. I can sense it. Sveta’s like a lioness just waiting for her cage to be opened so she can go terrorize the world. I don’t even want to think about who she’s going to bring home.”

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