Page 119 of Volatile

I’ma stranger in my own house as I watch my woman become more comfortable around her new family. She’s taken my place in the face mask tradition and Inessa hasn’t even looked at me. The woman can hold a grudge for the entire continent, but she puts up with her husband’s shit so mine can’t be that bad. Val’s annoying ass points out my lurking too fucking loud for a normal person as he asks, “Shouldn’t you be pampering yourself?”

Everyone’s eyes come to me and I’m going to beat the shit out of him.Stasi gives me a small smile and nudges mother to do whatever they’ve been speaking about. Inessa’s sigh is the first sign of hope, and she holds the face mask tub up over her shoulder without looking at me or saying shit. These fuckers are my family, not just because I was born with them or they’re married to my brothers, each of them hold a special purpose and role and some of my guilt eases knowing she’s going to be forced back to normal by my girl.

I nearly trip over my own feet as I go to the back of the sofa and take the tub from her hands. I don’t lurk anymore, and the sofa is taken up with Dani and Viktor at Inessa’s side. Stasi is in my usual seat, so I pull her to sit on my thigh and she doesn’t push me away. She uncaps the tub and she’s comfortable as she spreads the paste over my skin. The others have their face masks on with their heads tipped back. But Inessa cracks one eye open and ruins it.

“I’m Stasi’s maid of honor.”

The underlying threat has me holding my girl tighter. No one has mentioned the rings on her fingers, I thought I’d got away with slipping it past their need to meddle.

Once my face is covered, Stasi leans against my chest and closes her eyes, sounding bored. “We said that when we were ten, and I don’t think Tali will even tell me when I’m supposedly getting married. I’ll wake up in Vegas withanotherring on my finger.”

If she kept them on I wouldn’t have to fucking do that shit. She’s wrong, am I fuck eloping in some random-ass chapel. I’m going to marry my girl, crown her and give her everything she refuses to admit she wants.I’ve heard enough from Inessa about the Stasi who was excited, before I gave her shit advice, and she killed that part of herself. Now it’s buried inside, haunting her with the wishes that she had.I’m responsible for them leaving and I’ll bring each one back to life.

FORTY-FOUR

Epilogue: Anastasia

six months later

Ihate Vitali. I’m going to hide his food or get him banned from his favorite burger place. Being the center of attention was always my way of going unnoticed because no one cares about the loudest voice in the room. Now all eyes are going to be on me. A day where I should have my family all teary-eyed smiles and sniffles but there’s no one.

My mother has fucked off to parts unknown since her creepy-ass husband was killed and branded, I’d rather drink piss than be cordial with Marta, and Vitali’s need for the wedding of his dreams means I’m walking alone.

I blow out a steadying breath and push my feet forward. My shaky hands are hidden with the ridiculous bouquet; it’s pretty and has a soft scent, the same peonies I used to point at when I was a child and hiding in the gardens of Inessa’s house because I didn’t want to go home. Everything the old me imagined is on my body; the dress has changed from a large princess gown to an off-the-shoulder silk dress with lace inlays. The split has me dropping my hands, not wanting anyone’s fucking noise to interfere with my current nerves.

I didn’t put up a fight. He’s planned everything and the large cathedral is the same one used for all Bratva weddings. Why didn’t he listen to my jokes about going to Vegas? That plan would be better than me going through this shit.

I remind myself for the thousandth time that the puppy will be happy and that’s enough to make my next step easier.

Until I reach the church entrance hall, alone, and my exhale shakes as I wait for the doors to open. It’s fine, I’ll walk the short distance by myself. It’s only walking, done that plenty of times. People will talk shit about my family but then we’ll go home, we’ll be insulated, and they can choke on their opinions.This is the last thing I’ll ever have to do without Vitali at my side.

The doors open and I don’t move. It’s not overflowing with guests, and I do have family. They are the only people sitting in the pews around the very few friends Vitali has invited. I take one step, and I have to force myself not to run away when Vlad and Valentin step away from the sides of the door they were bracketing to stand at my side. Each of them escort me down the aisle more like bodyguards than whatever they were attempting to pull off. It’s unconventional as fuck, Dani is standing beside Vitali with Kristi at her side and Inessa is at the other side, at least she’ll know what I had to go through during her wedding.

Tali’s hands are clasped together in front of him but the smile on his face is hurting my cheeks it’s so wide. The sight of him makes it less nerve wracking to continue walking. There are three steps up until I’m beside him, but the excited puppy can’t stay still as he rushes down them, and pulls me closer while sealing our lips together. It’s out of order for other people but it’s right and I relax. If it was any other way, any other person, I’d have run away. The thought of running away from him is the equivalent of having to rip my own heart out of my chest.

Whistles sound around us, and he leans back as he grabs my hand with an unneeded threat. “No escaping me now.”

He drags me with him and stands proudly opposite me as he gestures to the priest. “Crown us.”

He doesn’t let go of my hand or look away from me as he breaks all the traditions to remain opposite me. His smile gets wider as I repeat our vows. “I am marrying Vitali Marlenovich Vartanov of my own free will. I have not been promised to another nor do I belong to another.”

I’m sure he’s going to need a nap with the amount of energy vibrating under his skin as he mouths ‘You are mine’.

It’s a fitting vow considering the truth in the statement. No one comes close to Vitali, and it is only him, it will only ever be him.

two years later

I leavemy cave to go on the hunt for Vitali when he’s been quiet for too long. It’s always a warning sign and I hear him before I’m even on the last step of the stairs. The soft sing-song comes from the kitchen, and I follow the sound.

“Papa loves...”

Our daughter loves singing that song, it’s made up to a tune that only exists in both of their heads and the second line never changes. I’m creeping on them, standing at the edge of the kitchen because if there was one thing that made me fall more in love with my husband it’s watching him be the best father to our little girl.

He loves everyone like it’s the easiest thing in the world and it’s no different now as he stands Natalya on the counter while he pretends to think about his answer.

“Talya?”

She claps to herself, eighteen months old and she’s so easily entertained – exactly like her daddy.

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