Page 37 of Sinful Lies

“You fucking bastard,” I snarl as I pace the room.

I pull at the collar of my shirt, my chest feeling tight as I try to take a deep breath.

For all my life, I saw my parents as having the perfect marriage. I thought if I could have something even half as good as they did, then I would consider myself a lucky man.

But it was all a lie.

Did my mother even know? Or was she just as in the dark as we were?

I hope for her sake that she got to live the fantasy until the very end.

A knock sounds at the door, snapping me out of my rage long enough to answer. I almost slam it shut again when I see it’s Alexei.

We’ve barely spoken since he dropped the news about our father’s affair. I couldn’t bear to look at him until I knew the truth, but it seems he was right all along.

And I had been so very, very wrong.

“You look stressed. Is everything okay?” He forces his way into the room.

I nod, swallowing my anger. “Everything is fucking perfect.”

Alexei’s fully dressed in his tux with a white rose pinned to his lapel.

This is really happening.

He frowns at me, tucking his hands into his pockets. “You don’t need to do this, you know.”

“Yes, I do.” I pick up my bow tie and wrap it around my neck.

“Dimitri…”

“I need to finish getting ready, so either make yourself useful and get me a drink or get the hell out.”

Alexei holds my gaze but when he sees that I’m not playing, he stalks over to the mini fridge and gets to work fixing us both a drink.

“Happy wedding day.” He holds up his glass. “I wish you a lifetime of happiness,brat.”

I walkinto the ballroom of the Wall Street Hotel and almost laugh at the amount of lilac and white roses that decorate the room.

There must be hundreds lining the aisle, ending in an enormous arch where Zara and I will stand and exchange our vows. Rows of white chairs line either side of the aisle, with lilac bows on the back of each one. A string quartet is in the corner, playing some soft classical music that I don’t recognize. It’s not my taste at all, but if this is what Zara wanted, then I’m happy.

The room is packed with guests, many of whom I’ve never met, all mingling and chatting.

I glance around and spot Feliks and my cousin Anton over by the far wall. I huff a laugh as I watch them eye each of the guests warily, knowing full well that they’ll each have multiple weapons on them. Hell, I even snuck a handgun into the inside pocket of my tux out of habit.

Wherever my brothers and I go, trouble always seems to follow, so you can never be too careful.

“Ready?” Alexei claps me on the shoulder.

“Let’s do this.” I let out a deep breath, straightening my jacket.

My skin prickles as all eyes fall on me as I make my way down the aisle.

Mikhail and Danil are waiting beneath the flower arch, their arms folded in front of them as they look out over the crowd.

I plaster an easy smile on my face as I make my way toward them, with Alexei at my side.

I still can’t believe this is really happening.

---