Page 125 of Beautiful Enemy

I just have to trust that Aiden will keep Finn in line.

“Make sure he doesn’t try anything,” I tell Matteo.

“You got it.”

If there’s anyone I trust completely, it’s Matteo.

“Now that that’s all settled, I have a wedding to go plan. It’s better if none of you come. We’ll talk more in the future. It’s time to build our empire, boys.”

“With the Bratva,” Finn sneers.

I never thought that would happen one day and yet, here we are. I’m making history. I’m changing the past.

All because Nadia opened my eyes and heart to so much more. Fuck. I am whipped.

And I don’t even fucking care.

Nadia

My second wedding day is today.

Instead of marrying Viktor Smirnov, a man I barely know, I’ll be marrying Dante Moretti, the man I now love.

Anya helped me pick out the dress – a simple satin gown that’s elegant but not flashy. It’s perfectly me.

The only people in attendance are me, Anya and Erik, and Dante. We all thought it would be best to not include any other people in case any fights broke out. This day is about creating peace. Erik and Dante will have their hands full getting the Bratva and Mafia to work together but I believe they can manage it. They’ll just have to do it together, which I know won’t be easy for them. Putting aside anger and pride within our world is not an easy task.

But they’re doing it for me and Anya. For the woman they care about.

Anya walks me down the aisle of the church since we wanted to do it together. We’re way past tradition. Our father has long been buried. We didn’t bother having a funeral. I know both of us are ready to put him behind us and live our new lives with our husbands.

Erik stands beside Dante, showing strength. This alliance has to work for all of us to be safe.

“Who gives this woman away?” the priest asks.

“Her sister,” Anya says with pride in her voice. I can tell she’s holding back tears. She’s deciding to be strong for me today, like she always has been. I give her hand a squeeze, silently telling her that she doesn’t always have to be strong. That I will be ok with Dante.

Dante takes my hand in his. Instead of looking into the cold eyes of Viktor, I’m looking into the passionate eyes of the man I love. My heart flutters at the thought. We might not have started out as a conventional couple but we got there in the end. Because Dante chose to change.

Because I changed too.

We say our vows. This time, I’m completely focused and tuned in with it. I wouldn’t want to miss this moment for anything.

“Do you, Dante Moretti, take this woman, Nadia Belov, to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

“I do.” He doesn’t even hesitate.

“And do you, Nadia Belov, take this man, Dante Moretti, to be your lawfully wedded husband.”

I don’t hesitate either. “I do.”

“I now pronounce you man and wife.”

Dante grabs my face and kisses me before the priest even finishes. Never have I felt happier than in this moment.

“Our wedding night,” Dante says, carrying me over the threshold into the hotel room. It’s a large suite fit for a king.

“I’m glad it was a small wedding. I don’t like large crowds. And we don’t need to make a spectacle of our love. I just want to be with you.”

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