Page 22 of The Vendetti Soldier

Rorik is on the opposite side of Yuri. The proud papa has his daughter on one arm and his son on the other. They all glide down the aisle seamlessly, as if they’re floating; it’s so perfect.

“Who gives this woman and man away?” The priest interrupts my thoughts, and I stare at her father, attempting to reel myself back in. This is our wedding; I need to be present, not obsessing over details.

“I do,” her father claims proudly and presses a kiss to the top of Mischa’s hand. He turns to her, his hands lightly cupping her cheeks, his eyes growing watery. “So proud of you, my Mischa. You will do great things in your new life.” She smiles, offering him a barely-there nod as a tear escapes and rolls down her cheek.

Yuri then holds her hand out to me, placing it in mine. Before he releases his grip, he becomes more serious than I’ve ever seen him before. He meets my stare head-on, promising, “Hurt her, and Vendetti or not, you will suffer. Understand?”

“Sì,” I practically growl, then lean in. I lowly claim, “I already took care of Zalinsky for your famiglia. Anyone hurts my wife, and I will kill them, you have my word.”

Satisfied, Yuri’s grin is back in place in the next blink as he releases Mischa and steps away. He repeats the same process with Rorik, squeezing his shoulder affectionately as he tells his son how proud he is of him, and that he loves him. He shakes Luciano’s hand before shifting Rorik’s palm to my brother’s, and finally sits in his spot.

I help guide mia fidanzata to her spot, momentarily pulling her close. Hurriedly, I whisper, “Poco zucchero, tell me you weren’t harmed?”

“I’m okay, Santino.”

“Promise me.”

“I promise. Luciano was there, he took care of things.” At her admission, the muscles locked up in my back finally unwind enough so I no longer feel as if I’m going to snap in two at the drop of a hat.

“Shall we continue?” The priest asks.

“Of course,” I mutter, not willing to look away from my bride even for a moment. He goes through the usual spiel, and I manage to answer at the right times, but I don’t remember a word he says. I’m in a fog until Dante hands me our rings, and I can’t help but think that I should’ve gone the same route as him and gotten her a colored stone. I’ll have to get her one for a push present when she becomes pregnant. I slide the first on her finger, a petite platinum band with a line of diamonds, then follow it up with the large, sparkling diamond solitaire in theshape of a pear. It has the tracker firmly in place, so I’ll always be able to find her.

I hand her my band, and she slides it on my finger. It feels foreign, and I know right then I won’t wear it. Maybe for special events, otherwise it’ll be left in my safe. My job is far too ‘hands-on’ to be weighed down by a wedding ring anyhow. All that matters is Mischa is wearing hers.

We pause and watch as Dante gives Luc their rings next. He and Rorik repeat the process, exchanging rings. Unlike me, I know mio fratello will wear his. He likes shiny things, especially when they match his fancy suits.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride,” the priest claims, and I tug the woman in front of me close enough our noses touch.

“You’re mine now, poco zucchero. You know that, right? Until death,” I question. At her nod, my lips land on hers. I take her mouth in a searing kiss, laying so much passion into it, silently promising to care for her always, that she will be able to depend on me for the rest of her life. Cheering and clapping draw me from our intimate moment. Pulling away, I turn to the guests and lift our hands.

Luciano and Rorik do the same beside us, then I’m tugging my wife back down the aisle. Guests stand and continue to clap and cheer for the four of us as we make our way toward the main door. We all wanted to be involved in each other’s weddings since we’re close, and this was the only way we could come upwith since the ceremonies were going to be one right after the other if they were separate. We chose Dante to stand with us since I’m closest to him after Luc. Mischa wanted to have a friend from Russia come, but she wasn’t able to get a flight out in time with a massive snowstorm hitting.

We make it into the hallway, and I immediately start tugging at my collar.

“Leave it; you’ll stretch it out,” Luc grumbles, and my brow hikes.

“You ordered it a size too small; I know it. You enjoy your clothes tight, but I need to breathe.”

He rolls his eyes, then tugs Rorik closer to press a chaste kiss on his lips. “We did it, managed to all get married. Now we just have to stay alive.”

“Because the photographer has it out for us?” I ask, making Mischa giggle. She’s so fucking cute. I can’t wait to eat her pussy later until she’s squirting all over the place and screaming my name.

“After today, I wouldn’t be surprised,” Rorik mutters, sobering my thoughts up in a blink.

“I will bury them. You have nothing to worry about, Rorik,” I soothe. He shouldn’t have to be concerned about this on his wedding day, and the notion makes me burn inside with anger.

He nods, his cheeks tinting, before flashing his gaze back to Luciano. We’re soon joined by the guests greeting us and wishing us well. Members of our staff carry trays of wine, weaving their way around everyone to offer beverages, while the other half of the staff quickly switches the ballroom around. We visit for about thirty minutes before we’re ushered back inside. In place of the chairs and aisle, half of the room has big, round tables set for dinner, and the other half has been cleared away for dancing. I don’t plan to stay down here for too long, but I’m sure mio fratelli and their wives will want to drink and dance through the night to celebrate.

I want to fuck.

Chapter 11

You look pretty with blood all over your face. - unknown

Luciano

Our ceremony was perfect.I know many won’t agree, but it’s not about them or what they want, only about the four of us. Nothing about mia famiglia is conventional, so brothers wanting to be married at the same time shouldn’t have surprised anyone in attendance. Rorik is officially mine, and I’m his. I was dreading the prospect of marriage, but somehow Matty knew what he was doing when he brokered the deal for not only one of Yuri’s children but two. Not that they’re children—far from it, as they’re experienced, grown adults. I should feel jealousy at them having been with others before me and Santino,but it’s the opposite. I didn’t want some timid bride who has no idea what she’s doing.

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