Page 127 of Shattered Cradle (Makarova Bratva Duet)

“Most of them are Donald’s nieces or grandnieces. A couple of cousins, godchildren, that kind of thing.”

I nod. “You’ll make a beautiful group walking down that aisle.”

“I’m nervous.”

For good reason.It’s not a very gracious thought, but I can’t stop it, and I feel instantly guilty for thinking it.

At the end of the day, I want Mia to be happy. Safe and happy.

But if it comes down to one of the two, I think I’d prefer her to be safe.

I scan the room again. The flower girls are clustered in the corner, all of them twittering with excitement and giggles.

All but one.

The one in question is older than the others, but not quite old enough to fit in with the bridesmaids. She has a somber expression on her face. A kind of distance in her eyes, a weariness way beyond her years.

She looks up and meets my gaze, then glances away again just as quickly. She’s a beautiful young woman. Fourteen, maybe. Her eyes are light, either blue or green, I can’t quite tell. She gazes forlornly out of the window while the rest of the wedding party circulates around her.

She looks as though she’d rather be anywhere else.

One of the other girls comes up to her. “Sophie,” she cries out happily, “come—”

“Liv?”

My sister’s voice slices through my eavesdropping. I turn back to her.

“It’s almost time,” she explains.

I stand up and give her an appreciative nod. “You really are beautiful, you know.”

She smiles demurely. “Thank you.”

A second later, her smile disintegrates. Without having to ask, I know exactly why.

I take a step closer to her and block out all the noise that surrounds us. “I wish they were here, too,” I whisper to her. “But you know what? I think Mom and Dad would both agree with me. You are the most beautiful bride I’ve seen in… well, ever.”

She laughs softly and some of the loss recedes. “Thank you, Livvy. I’m glad you came.”

“Ah, here he is!” I recognize Marisol’s voice as it cuts through the throng of chatter. “Everyone! Make room for the brother of the bride.”

Rob moves through the herd of women and joins us. For a moment, it’s just the three of us. Three siblings who have been through hell and back.

And for a moment, I can almost forget about all the scars we’ve given each other.

“Wow, Mia,” Rob says, though the smile doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “Mom and Dad would have been so proud.”

“You think so?”

“I know so.”

He offers her his arm. As they turn for the door, Rob throws me a little nod over his shoulder. I give him a smile and watch as the entourage follows them out the door.

I stand there, watching them file out, marooned apart from the celebration in a way that hurts more than I know how to explain.

The room empties, but I stay where I am, until a smartly dressed woman with a clipboard and a headset sticks her head in the room and sees me there.

“Ma’am, the ceremony is about to start. You might want to get to your seat.”

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