Page 108 of Pitiful Lies

She loves saying things like there’s an Angel at my table whenever I visit. I have to admit, I don’t mind it.

I can see where my Koukla gets her big heart from.

Anyway, I had a diamond pendant shaped like angel wings made just for her. A special thank you gift for welcoming me into her family with open arms.

For my father-in-law, I sent him a set of engraved golf clubs. I don’t play, but I thought he might like them along with a lifetime membership to that country club he likes to frequent in Fort Lauderdale.

I know I don’t have to buy their approval. Hell, it’s not like I would just leave my Koukla if they didn’t like me. But I want them to like me, so I am making an effort.

Three dozen of my men are serving as security, and they are strategically placed inside and outside the church.

Giselle’s family takes up six rows on the bride’s side. And that’s just her immediate family.

Her mother and father are with her, as well as her sister, Resa.

Her jerk of a boyfriend, Dan, is sitting with the rest of their family. I’m not a fan of Dan’s and I plan on letting him know real soon.

The little prick squirms when I glare at him.

Good. He should know who the fuck I am and what I’ll do if he steps out of line.

But I’m not thinking about that right now.

I breathe in deep, letting the different smells around the altar filter in. I smell incense and flowers, but beneath that is that apple pie cinnamon goodness I associate with my bride.

She’s here, but I can’t see her yet.

I feel a sense of warmth surrounding me, and I think of Yia Yia.

Would she be happy now? Proud of me?

I think she would be. Giselle has the same spunk and spontaneity my grandmother had. Also, the same loyalty and zest for life. I think Yia Yia would have liked her very much.

On my side of the aisle are our newest business partners, the men of Volkov Industries. Adrik Volkov sits front and center with his wife and teenage daughter. His wife is holding their youngest on her lap.

Behind them are his brother, Marat Volkov, and his family. Followed by Josef Aziz, the head of Sigma International, who I have known for years. And next to him are Andres Ramirez and his wife and children.

They are a huge fucking family, and I am not sure if they are necessarily my friends yet. But Nico and Adrik hit it off like birds of a feather after their first meeting.

After lending aid when my Koukla was in trouble, I figured inviting them was good business. And who knows? Maybe we can all be friends in the end.

Giselle seems to think it’s a good idea, and I know enough to listen when my woman talks. Adrik nods his head at me.

I watch as he turns to say something to his wife, and she smiles brightly at him. They are still so in love after years of marriage and my chest squeezes.

I want that. With Giselle. I want it so fucking bad I can taste it. She told me she loved me the day of the rescue, and she’s said it every day since. But I can’t get enough of hearing it.

She is so perfect. I can’t believe she’s mine.

My Koukla.

But then the organ plays, and my attention is diverted to the back of the church.

One by one, the wedding party walks down the aisle. Everyone is smiling, and the girls look teary-eyed. I can’t smile back.

I’m too nervous.

There is a pause in the proceedings, and I frown.

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