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Lief looks back at us. “We’re almost at the mansion. I’d recommend getting dressed.”

Chase and I get dressed before Lief pulls through security. By the time we get out of the car and into the rather gross, gray slush on the ground, we look put together. Lief pulls his coat around my shoulders, but Hunter takes my hand. Chase holds the door and we all stay close.

Lief makes a few comments to some of the security, but then I hear female voices pouring out of the card room. I kiss Chase’s cheek. “Thank you, baby boy.”

“You have an entire room of expertise waiting for you. Make the most of it while we figure out some ... things,” he answers.

“Business things?” I guess.

Hunter grins. “Sure, if you want to call it that.”

I narrow my eyes. “It better not be dangerous things.”

“Everything’s dangerous when we’re marrying a viper like you,” Lief purrs while kissing my bruise gently. “Play nice with the other wives.”

TWENTY-THREE

Lief

Valerie walksinto the poker room, and the other wives greet her happily. They all want her attention and all want to praise her for how she handled Yuri. News travels fast here. Of course, none are worried about her injuries.

They’re a mark of success as far as the mafia are concerned. I think about the audio I got to hear. Her confidence, her constant calm, those last words she said to Yuri echo in my ear and tighten my heart.

A person as strong as Valerie is rare, and I can’t help but love her more for putting our training to work, for her lack of hesitation, and refusing to allow him to belittle her at any point. She is a goddamn queen.

Hunter and I follow Chase into the conference room. Chase already has three laptops set up. “I figured while Valerie talks, we can look up wedding plans.”

“This is what’s so important you rushed fucking our-”

“Lief!” my mother calls.

I turn and nod to her. She hugs me tight and I pat her back. “Mother.”

“Roger and I were invited to help you three today.” Mother beams.

“I figure they stayed married, so they did something right at their wedding,” Chase mumbles when I shoot him a look.

Hunter rolls his eyes. “Didn’t bother to ask our father?”

“They asked me,” Mr. Volkov says as he joins us. “The wedding needs to be constructed. No police presence and ample security.”

“Of course,” I agree.

“That’s the boring side. We need a venue, flowers, colors,” Mom insists while standing on her toes to pat my cheek. “My only son getting married. It should be a big affair.”

“Do you have any idea what Valerie wants?” my father asks.

We sit down and Chase looks over a few things. “She mentioned a Victorian manner for the house. There are a few for large groups, but I don’t think we need all that energy.”

I search on my own and find a few options. “A winery looks promising. It has an earthy feel.”

“What about the best lookout point in D.C.?” Hunter asks.

“If her only focus was a Victorian feel, we should honor that,” my mother says.

I glance at Mr. Volkov. He’s looking over Chase’s shoulder. He nods once. “That one would provide adequate security.”

“The Meridian house,” Chase reports.

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