Page 43 of Dangerous Games

It's a token of my freedom, but it's also a symbol of a past that I need to leave behind. I close my eyes, taking a deep breath, and then I drop the ring into the hole. I cover it with dirt, patting it down gently, before standing up. Jimmy is standing a few feet away, watching me with a somber expression.

"It's done," I say softly, my voice barely above a whisper. "I'm ready to move on now." He nods, understanding, and then he takes my hand. We walk away from the stone, leaving the ring buried beneath it. It feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders, and I know that I can finally start a new chapter in my life.

We walk back and join Jimmy at the table. As we sit there, sipping on Scotch and talking about our plans for the future, I can’t help but feel grateful for the two men sitting beside me. They’ve given me a sense of safety and security that I never thought was possible. And as we clink our glasses together, I know that together, we can take on anything that comes our way.

The sun begins to set, casting a warm glow over us, and I lean back in my chair, feeling content. It’s been a long journey, but I’ve finally found my place in this world, thanks to Jimmy and Dominic. And as I look out at the view, with the two men I love by my side, I know that I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.

A few months ago, I never imagined that I would be free from that trauma. I believed no counselor in the world could untie the knots in my heart. Since Dominic barged into my life, it feels like everything is upside down—but in a good way. I feel lighter, happier, more at ease. I can breathe now, and dream again. And that is more than anyone could ever ask for.

25

DOMINIC

Isit in my office waiting. This damn tuxedo is uncomfortable as hell, but it's my wedding day. But even on my wedding day, the job doesn't stop. Father is getting sicker now, and I'm being asked to take over more responsibility, which means I need to clean up any loose ends after everything that happened last month. After the shooting that happened on the dock, we had a lot of unwanted attention with the police, and I let Sven handle everything. Now I need to know he's done the job right.

He walks into my office with confidence, parking himself across from my desk.

"I assume everything has been taken care of?" I ask, confident that he's done his job well.

Sven nods. "Yeah, Dom. The cops are off our backs and the mole is dead. We made sure his body will never be found."

I nod, relieved. "Good. I can't have any loose ends on my wedding day."

Sven leans forward, studying my face. "How are you feeling, Dom? About everything that's happened?"

I can't help but let out a deep sigh. "Honestly, I don't even know. It's been such a whirlwind. I'm just trying to take it one day at a time." Knowing my mother can finally rest in peace because her attacker has been dealt a hand of justice is what I've wanted for decades now. Sven knows this; he's wanted it as much as me.

He nods in understanding, but there's a glint in his eye that suggests he's not done talking. "And what about Nanette? How are you feeling about her?"

I feel a warmth spread through me at the mention of her name. Nanette is like a freight train I never saw coming. I just wanted the man who hurt my mother to die, and along the way I met my match. I act aloof in front of Sven, but inside there is nothing that will ever make me happier than to marry Nanette and put babies in her belly.

"It will work out well." Men in my family don't get sappy over their women, and I'm almost the leader now. Sven understands this, and he offers a hand clap as he stands to his feet. I'm not finished with him though, so I call his name. "Sven."

He stops, shoving his hand into his pockets and stopping to hear what I have to say. "Yeah, Dom."

"You and Allie, what's going on there? I mean, your temper has been out of control. I heard from Leo how you handled things in that warehouse shootout. Some restraint may have kept the rollers off our back." I purse my lips, scowling at him. Sven gets out of control when things don't go the way he plans, and this thing with his would-be love has gotten him a hefty dose of unwanted attention lately.

"You know, Dom. Women..." He shrugs it off, but I am not pleased with his response. This woman isn't bad news for him; he could use a woman like her to remind him to keep his guard up and his head down, but he's being reckless when it comes to her ex-boyfriend, and people will start to notice if I don't force him to temper himself.

"Sven, you can't go off half-cocked. You're going to make people start watching you and if the wrong people are watching there will be nothing I or our father can do about it. You understand that?" I stand, straightening my tie as I do. It's almost time to walk down the aisle, and I just want this reprimand to be over now. I'm sure Sven does too.

"Look, Dom, I'm handling things. Now that the mole is done, I'm sure things with Allie will settle down. Okay?" He gives me a less-than-reassuring look and shakes his head before walking out.

I take a deep breath and try to shake off the tension that Sven's recklessness has brought upon me. I can't have any distractions today. I make my way toward the garden where the ceremony is about to take place. The sun is shining bright, casting a warm glow on everything around me. The garden is decorated beautifully, with soft pink and white flowers lining the aisle. The guests are already seated, waiting for my arrival.

The scent of the flowers is intoxicating, filling the air with their aroma. It's almost a little too much. It makes me think of summer, of youth and innocence. I'm far from innocent now, but Nanette deserves this after everything she's been through.

I stand at the edge of the aisle and watch as the bridesmaids make their way down, their pastel dresses flowing gracefully behind them. They're all beautiful, but none of them compare to Nanette. She's the epitome of elegance in her white, satin gown, and her hair is styled in soft curls that frame her face perfectly. As she makes her way toward me, I can't help but feel a sense of pride. She's mine now, and I'll do anything to protect her.

The priest begins the ceremony, and I listen intently to his words. I'm not a religious man, but there's something comforting about the ritual and tradition of a wedding. It makes me feel like everything is right in the world, even if it's only for a moment.

When it's time for the vows, Nanette turns to me, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "Dominic," she begins, her voice barely above a whisper. "I never thought I would find someone who could understand me the way you do. You've shown me what it means to love and be loved, and I promise to spend the rest of my life showing you the same."

I take her hands in mine, feeling a sense of warmth spread through me at her touch. "Nanette," I say, my voice low and steady. "I never thought I could find someone who would make me want to be a better man. You've shown me what it means to be selfless and to care for someone more than anything else in the world. I promise to protect you, to cherish you until the end of time."

As I speak, I feel a weight lifted off my shoulders. Nanette's presence has given me a sense of purpose that I never thought was possible. I've spent my life doing things that I'm not proud of, but with her by my side and my mother's attacker gone, I feel like I can finally start to make things right.

The priest nods at us, signaling that it's time to exchange rings. I slip the diamond band onto Nanette's finger, and she does the same for me. It's a small gesture, but it feels like we're making a promise to each other that's unbreakable.

The rest of the ceremony passes in a blur of happiness and joy. We kiss, and the guests cheer as we make our way back down the aisle. I can't believe I'm lucky enough to have found someone like Nanette. She's everything I never knew I needed, and I'll do anything to make sure she's happy.

The minute I kiss my bride, we are whisked away inside the house where Mika has planned our meal and baked a cake. Jimmy hovers near us, following my every step. It took some convincing to make my brothers accept him, but all is well in my world now. Besides, if marrying Nanette meant confirming him into the family, then I made the right choice. Now, if he can help keep Sven in line with this situation with Allie, we’ll be doing okay.

If…

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