Kaid nods and smiles. “Yes, Kroschka. Tomorrow will be a year since I met you.”
I place my hand on my heart. “You remembered?” I question.
“Of course, how could I forget? Your robe came undone in front of me, and that is an image I will never forget.” He smirks.
“But you saw me before then,” I counter back.
“Yes, but you didn’t meet me properly until the lift,” he corrects, and of course, he is right.
“You know, for a big scary mob boss, you're actually really sweet.” I smile.
“So, where are you taking me to dinner on our special anniversary?” I ask, looking over at Kaid who is looking so handsome in his dark blue suit and his crisp white shirt. His dark eyes come to mine.
“It’s a surprise. You know you look stunning tonight,” he compliments.
I smile. Kaid brought me this beautiful Champagne, lace, full length mermaid hem dress. It has an ivory bodice underneath and it’s stunning.
I look out of the window and see the palace coming into view. I turn to face him. “You didn’t?”
The car stops outside the palace and the door is opened for me.
Kaid gets out without saying a word and he walks around the car to greet me. There are no paparazzi this time, no big party going on. It’s quiet and intimate. Kaid leads me through the palace to the room he took me to on that night. He stops just in front of the doors and turns to face me.
“I know I tell you all the time that you are mine, but the truth is, Kroschka, I am yours. You own me. You make me a better man, a better leader to my brothers, and you make me want to do even better in everything I do. I may be a king, but a king is nothing without his queen. I love you, you're mine, Kroschka, but most importantly, I'm fucking yours,” he confesses.
Tears sting my eyes. “I love you, Kaid, so much.” I breathe, sniffing back my tears.
He kisses me softly. “It’s a good job,” he says before opening the door.
I gasp as the room is filled with people and they all yell “Surprise!” I jump, covering my face. “Surprise, Kroschka, we’re getting married,” he whispers in my ear. I look to him, tears now falling down my face. He wipes them away with his thumb.
“You did this?” I ask in astonishment.
“I did, with a little help from your mum.” He winks and nods towards my mum. “I will see you at the altar,” he says before walking off. My mum comes running over with Allegra.
“Oh, my love, you look just beautiful,” Mum gushes.
“Stunning,” Allegra says, shoving a bouquet of flowers in my hand.
“Er, what?” I ask, stunned.
Mum laughs. “Here, drink this, now let’s get your behind down that aisle.”
I down the drink and cough. “Vodka?” I choke.
“What? You're marrying a Russian now, you got to be able to handle your drink,” Allegra teases.
They march me to the other side of the room and make me stand in front of the double glass door that leads out onto the balcony. We are getting married where he fucked me at the prince’s party is the main thought running through my head.
Mum and Allegra leave me stood there, alone. I take a few deep breaths. “Are you ready to do this?” Mikhail asks beside me, holding out his arm. I smile.
“You're going to give me away?” I blub.
“Yes, but please don’t cry or your soon-to-be-husband will have my balls in a guillotine.” He winces.
I laugh and wipe away my tears. “I am more than ready to marry him,” I admit.
Music starts and we walk down the aisle. A beautiful white flowered arch has been placed at the edge of the balcony, right where we did it––trust Kaid to pick here. Mikhail hands me to Kaid.