Page 69 of Fatal Bonds

“Maks, please take Lindsey’s hand, place the ring on her finger, and repeat after me,” the minister says.

Maks does, his blue eyes deep wells of emotion as he slides his mother’s beautiful diamond ring back onto my finger. It settles into place with a soft click, and when I glance down, confused by the sound, I find a second, delicate band of diamonds nestled against the first—a wedding band that fits together perfectly with the original setting. “With this ring, I renew my promise to love and cherish you. Let it be a reminder of my commitment and the love we share.”

“Lindsey and Maks, today you have renewed your vows and reaffirmed your commitment to one another. It is my great honor and pleasure to once again pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride!”

Maks’s arm snakes around my waist, pulling me firmly against his broad, powerful chest, and I melt into him as our lips meet. Back bowed, I throw my arms around his shoulders, soaking up the searing affection as the crowd erupts in raucous cheers.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it is my great pleasure to present to you once again, Lindsey and Maksim Yashkov!”

The applause keeps going as Maks sets me back on my feet and we turn to face our audience. More than half of them are Maks’s friends and family, but the people who are here to support me—all my friends from Keen Edge Strategies, along with a handful of others I’ve met along the way—look overjoyed for me. And in the front row, Kira beams up at us as she presses her cheek to Natalia’s, holding our little girl on her lap as she helps her clap.

Natalia looks more overwhelmed by the noise than happy, and as her face reddens, squishing into that look that says she’s just about to cry, Maks leads me down the stairs to her—as if sensing the impending meltdown.

“Thank you, Kira,” I say, holding my arms out to take my baby girl.

“Anytime, I’m happy to hold her as much as you want to give you some private time. This is your special day.” She hands Natalia over, and I cradle her against my chest as Maks wraps his arms around me to lead us back down the aisle.

The applause doesn’t stop even as we exit the nave, but as soon as we do, a sense of deep, radiant happiness sweeps through me. Maks leads me into the small office just off the entryway—where the minister let me wait while guests were arriving. In the quiet space, I turn to face him as I rock Natalia gently, and her teary face calms as he leans in to whisper softly to her in Russian. The sight of him soothing her so tenderly melts me completely, and my heart flutters with the giddy kind of love and appreciation only Maks brings out in me. His fingers swirl softly against the back of Natalia’s head, and as she starts to coo contentedly, he looks up to meet my eyes.

“I love you so much,” I whisper.

“I love you, too,” he says, his deep voice rich and inviting, and I can’t wait until I have a moment completely alone with him. “Do you want to feed her here before we head to the reception?”

My chest aches with the need to breastfeed, and I groan. “Yes, but I didn’t think to bring the bag.”

Maks chuckles, releasing me to reach behind the modest imitation wood desk, and he pulls out the baby bag of burp cloths and diapers. He’s thought of everything. I love what a natural father he is, how he seems to know what we need without me even asking. “I’ll wait outside to make sure no one comes in,” he promises, pressing his lips to my forehead.

I don’t know what I ever did to deserve him, and as I settle into the chair, positioning Natalia, I’m overcome by how perfect my new life is. I picked a more flowy white wrap dress for our vow renewals, one with sheer sleeves that button at my wrists but with a deep enough neckline that I could feed Natalia without immense difficulty, and I take the few quiet minutes alone with her to marvel at how much I love my baby girl.

After I’m done, we ride to the reception in the back of Maks’s Escalade, Natalia strapped in her carseat between us. Then it’s a parade of well-wishers and wedding guests as the celebration starts.

One of the first to approach us is a beautiful couple, a tall man with dark blond hair swept away from his face and mischievous blue eyes. The woman on his arm has long dark curls that cascade around her shoulders and ruby painted lips. She’s wearing a stunningly fashioned yet understated green silk dress, and the little boy on her hip completing the image of their picture-perfect family.

“Congratulations, cousin,” the man says, clapping Maks warmly on the shoulder.

“Lindsey, this is my cousin Dimitri, his wife, Evelyn, and their son, Sergei.”

The name rings with familiarity, and as Dimitri takes my hand, I realize this is the cousin from New York that Maks spoke about—the one he intended to have watch over me if I left.

“It’s wonderful to put a face to the name. I’ve heard only good things about you,” I say.

Dimitri chuckles. “Now I know you’re lying. But I’ll forgive you, since you clearly make my cousin happy.”

Evelyn gives my hand a warm squeeze, offering her congratulations as well, then they step aside as the next person intercepts us to say hello.

“I’m happy to see everything worked out for you two.” Lucian’s light tone is laced with humor as his lips curve into a grin, and he gives me a nod of acknowledgment. “I’d like to think I could take at least a little credit in that regard.”

“I’m glad you could make it,” Maks says, shaking the don’s hand. Rumor has it, Lucian’s had a challenging year of taking over the Family, but he looks as perfectly at ease as ever.

“I have to say, the invitation was a pleasant surprise.”

“It wouldn’t have felt right without you,” I quip, quirking an eyebrow at him.

Lucian gives an amused hum. “You’re lucky, Yashkov. You found a good one.”

Maks’s eyes narrow in silent warning. “I like to think so.”

With a wink, Lucian turns. “Congrats, lovebirds,” he says over his shoulder as he fades back into the crowd.

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