Page 108 of Desperate Desires

I exhaled a deep breath as Dr. Cross was removed from the premises and I turned to see Sammy and Jr. watching me closely.

“What?”

“Nothing,” Jr. said, raising his hands.

“Is it hot in here? Where is she?” I asked, looking at the crowd with disdain.

It wasn’t the people themselves. It was the sheer number of them—the overwhelming, suffocating mass of bodies pressed into too small a space.

I fucking hated crowds, especially when they closed in around me like this.

It didn’t matter how tasteful the setting was or how polished the atmosphere. The weight of too many men and women in one place always made my skin crawl.

And this place? Oh, it was tasteful, all right. Beautiful and expensive with killer views. But there was only one view I wanted. And that was of my wife.

Where is she?

Long crystal vases stood like sentinels on every table, bursting with blood red roses tied off with elaborate gold silk bows.

Everyone seemed to be draped in black. The men in tailored suits, sharp and uniform like they’d walked out of some exclusive catalog.

The women were swathed in sleek silhouettes, their jewels glinting in the low light like tiny stars.

I wondered why they’d all coordinated their outfits so perfectly, but the answer didn’t take long to discover. The music I barely registered softened and a male voice announced over a microphone that we should all stand and welcome the bridal party.

“Come on,” Sammy said, grinning as he bumped my shoulder and led me, along with Gio, Flacco, and Jr. to the front of the crowd.

Then they filed out of the door, their husbands or dates waiting for them. I noted Connor Callahan had arrived, and his cousin, Balor Cruz was there too.

The men met the ladies as they filed out, Sammy and Jr. going over as well.

Each of the women, all members of the Volkov Clan, wore stunning gowns. They were all in black like the other guests, only their gowns had bright accents in red and gold.

My hands were sweating, and nerves had my stomach in knots as I waited for her. We were already married. It made no sense to feel this way.

But I couldn’t stop the hammering of my heart, any more than I could stop the moon from rising in the night sky.

Finally, she entered the room.

My beautiful bride draped in gold silk, holding a red bouquet, and wearing a smile that outshone the stars.

Holy. Fuck.

She was stunning.

I didn’t hear them call my name. I had no idea what was said or not by that man with the microphone.

I simply crossed the room to her, with no intentions of stopping until I had her safe and secure in my arms.

“Ono!” she said, a laugh on her face as I dipped her as far back as I could without causing us both to fall to the floor in a mini dog pile.

“I love you,” I told her right before I slammed my lips to hers.

Chapter 36-Shelly

I didn’t think this kind of happiness was possible. Sure didn’t expect to feel it myself, but it filled me completely. Ono was so handsome tonight, so attentive and perfect.

I can’t believe he loves me.

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