Page 152 of Sinful Bride

Arlo was an unexpected change in our family dynamic that we never knew we needed. Sure, we wanted him to love and cherish our mother like she deserves. That’s always been given.

We just never expected him to love and cherish us as well.

Daphne slips her arm through mine when I finally return to my seat. “Are you happy?” she whispers, soft enough that no one can hear but me.

I give it a moment to truly consider everything. Am I happy?

My mother is glowing. She has been ever since the day this man walked back into her life. It was like watching her breathe again for the first time in decades. Really, for the first time in my whole entire life.

It’s been confirmed I’m not remotely biologically related to Kostya Chekhov. That’s a weight off my chest, because how can I ever become someone I’m genuinely not? I’m no longer haunted by shadows that don’t belong to me.

My empire is strong. My soldiers are loyal. My businesses are flourishing. My family is growing.

I turn to look at my wife. She’s wrangling our squirming flower girl daughter in her other arm with expertise, a calm smile on her face despite the tiny chaos.

“Yeah.” I press a warm kiss to Daphne’s brow. “I’m happy.”

The reception hall is a cacophony of laughter and music, shouts for more champagne and cake, and the periodic wailing of a tired child. My child, more often than not.

I wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Lev, my man!” I call when I spot him strolling toward my table with his wife. “So glad you could make it!”

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world, sir.” He shakes my hand and peers around. “I never thought I’d see this day, that’s for sure.”

“We’ve come a long way. Brighter times are ahead.”

His wife furrows her brow. “Aren’t you worried about the backlash from that horrible scandal? They’re still talking about it in the news. The senator and his… hobbies.”

“Nora—”

“No, it’s a fair question,” I say to my newest vor before he can reprimand his wife for overstepping. “I like to think I’m a good judge of character, but sadly, I’m not perfect.”

“Can I get that in writing?” my wife suddenly calls out from where her nosy ass is seated.

We share a laugh as I roll my eyes. “As I told the agents investigating, some people are just really good at hiding their darkest selves. Fortunately, we’ve been able to undo his damage. With our help, the feds have uncovered three trafficking rings thus far.”

Nora’s eyes widen. “Really? That’s amazing!” She turns on her husband and thwacks him on the shoulder. “Lev, honey, you never mentioned this before! Have you been helping with this?”

The poor man looks flustered. He knows better than to divulge Bratva business to a civilian like his wife.

I decide to give him a break. He saved my wife’s life, after all. Many times. “Lev has been one of my best. I’m sure you understand the nature of this work means he can’t exactly tell you the details about it.”

She grins and squeezes his arm. “I’m so proud of you! My man. My Lev.”

I bow out to continue making the rounds as the co-host, ensuring everyone is having the best time at my mother’s—no, wait—my parents’ wedding.

The other host is Arlo, who damn near wrestled me over who got to pay for the celebration.

“And how are we enjoying our evening?” I ask the couple I find sucking each other’s faces in a not-so-discreet corner of the room.

Sofi pries herself away from her new boyfriend and blushes. “Pasha! Hey there… big bro…”

“We were just talking about how perfect today has been.” Derek, said boyfriend, flashes a grin that would probably disarm anyone else. Unluckily for him, I’m way too protective of my baby sister to buy it. “The weather, you know. Not a cloud in the sky.”

“Yes, it has been perfectly clear.” I adjust the cuff links in my tuxedo while my smile grows wolfish. “Like my instructions were when I said to keep this a ‘family-friendly’ affair.”

“Oh, give us a break.” My saucy sister shoves a champagne flute at me. “It’s not our fault you went with the expensive wine. This stuff goes straight to the head.”

---