Page 49 of Used By the Bratva

I slide into the seat next to her and close the door. “You did well up there. When we get to the estate, everyone will want to meet you. They can be quite a lot all at once, but my family is made up of good men and women who will help you find your way in this life.”

She closes her eyes. “I know; I just wish Marina had been here. I didn’t think she'd still be mad at me for leaving her. It’s been almost a year.”

“Don’t worry about her. She will forgive you eventually. Even if she doesn’t come around, my family will take care of you. You are one of us now.”

She nods and looks down at the wedding ring on her finger. It clings to the engagement ring I gave her the day after I told her we were getting married.

When she looks at me again, the tears have disappeared, and she has pulled herself back together. “The garden will look beautiful with all the lights the staff have hung over the terrace.”

“Yes, it will.”

When we get to the mansion, dozens of cars are parked in the driveway. My chauffeur drops us off near the front door.

Natalie takes off her veil and leaves it on the table in the entrance hall as we walk in. Her eyes widen as Pearl hurries over to her. “You came to the reception! I didn’t know if you could be here. I know you've been working more since I’ve been gone to make up for the rent.”

Pearl nods at me. “Your gorgeous husband took care of the rent. He bought the building, I understand.”

When Natalie turns to me, her jaw drops. “Is that true? Did you really give her free rent?”

Shrugging, I look back and forth between the two women. “I was the one who whisked you away from your life. Pearl didn’t deserve to suffer because of it.”

Natalie takes Pearl by the hand and pulls her into one of the other rooms. “I need you to help me get changed before we make our entrance. There’s no way I’ll be able to take care of all these little buttons on my own.”

“I’ll be waiting here for you.” I lean against the wall, staring after Natalie as she disappears into another room.

In the span of a few months, my life has taken a complete one-eighty.

Maxim appears with two whiskeys in his hand. He hands me one and leans against the wall. “So, where is the blushing bride, and when do I get to meet her?”

“She and her friend have gone to get changed, but they should be back soon.” I take a sip of my whiskey. “How's your end of dismantling Mancini going?”

He rolls his eyes and sips his drink. “We’re not going to talk business at your wedding, cousin. We’re here to have a good time and drink too much.”

Laughing, I raise my glass to him. “Amen to that. It’s been a long couple of weeks.”

“I still can’t believe you married Antonio’s daughter,” he says, his voice lowering as he looks at me. “You must be suffering from insanity or a stroke.”

“She is not the same as him.” I look around for Sergey. “Does my brother know who she is?”

“Yeah. It’s making its rounds. It’s hard not to look at her and see Antonio. Their eyes are so similar.”

“And who confirmed it for you?” I down the rest of my drink and hand the empty glass to one of the passing waiters.

“Boris told me. Swore me to secrecy.”

Sighing, I look to the closed door, waiting for my wife to make a reappearance. “Well, the secret is out now.”

The door opens, and Natalie comes out. The slim, elegant white satin dress looks stunning on her. The warm brown waves catch the sunlight and illuminate the reddish strands of her hair.

I don’t think she’s ever looked as beautiful as she does at this moment.

Pearl whispers something to Natalie before she goes to the front door, gives me a quick wave, and disappears.

“She is not staying for the party?”

“No.” Natalie’s heels click against the floor as she comes to stand beside me. “She had some other things that she needed to take care of tonight, but she said to tell you that she’s happy for us.”

I loop my arm around her waist. “Natalie, this is my cousin, Maxim. Maxim, this is Natalie.”

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