Page 61 of Ruby Menace

My heart swells at the thought of the two tiny lives growing inside her. “I will be there for that. I will be there for all of it.” Taking in a breath, I go on, “Ti viydesh zamuzh za menya?”

“What does that mean?” Her brow furrows.

I pull her hand to my chest and fix her with a look. “I’m asking you to marry me.” I know my smile is gentle, which is probably why it feels odd.

“Marry you?” She stares. “You already told me that I had to, you crazy man.”

“I know. But now I am asking you. This is your decision, little bird.” My words are barely out before she’s nodding vigorously.

“Yes! Of course, yes!” The words come out in a rush, and then she’s wiping tears away again. “Oh my God.” She makes a hiccuping sound. “You must think I’m an idiot.”

“I think you’re perfect. Now come here.” I tug her wrist. “I need to hold you.”

“I’m going to hurt you!”

“You’ll hurt me if you don’t come here right now.” I tug again. She gingerly lowers herself to hover over my chest. I pull her down more sharply until I can hold her against me. Maybe it hurts. I don’t feel anything aside from her warmth seeping into me. Her soft curves against me. The scent of her.

This is all I’ll ever need.

This is everything.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Tiana

“I don’t know why you didn’t let me pick a dress with a lower neckline. You can barely see my tits in this thing. I’ll never find a guy at this rate.” Roxie holds her bouquet and adjusts her bodice with the other.

“Rox, we are literally walking down the aisle to my soon-to-be husband. Can you stop thinking of picking up men for at least one second?” I say to her beneath my breath. Guests in the pews are turning to look at us as the Wedding March starts to play.

“Shit. I’m sorry, babe!” she hisses back. “I promise that’s not all I ever think about. And… And you know I was totally out of line with that Kirill thing, right? I mean, I know he’s your man, and I was such a stupid bitch for making a pass at him.”

“I know you’re sorry. I believe you.” I really do. My bestie has practically groveled for forgiveness for hitting on Kirill to a degree which really wasn’t necessary – I know what her life was like, how desperately she wanted to get away from her dickhead family. Since I wanted to get away from Kirill at the time, she thought a man like him would be her ticket out of there. Clearly a terrible move, but typical Rox. Although if she pulls that shit again, our friendship is history.

“I’m so relieved because-” She’s still talking. People are starting to stare.

“Rox, could you please shut up?”

“Shit, sorry, Tee. It’s just that I love you so much and I feel terrible for-”

“Rox, we’ve been over this. I love you too, but right now, I’m trying to get married.” I smooth a hand over the white satin of my dress. It’s cut generously over the full swell of my belly. The twins are due any day now, and Kirill was adamant that we would be married before they arrived.

I take a deep breath and start walking down the aisle, my heels muffled by the thick carpet. All eyes are on me, but I only have eyes for him.

He waits at the altar, and my heart swells.

Holy shit, just look at him!

He’s breathtaking in his black tuxedo, his dark eyes locked on mine as if I’m the only person in the world. Dima stands beside him, looking uncomfortable in a matching suit. I can’t help but smile at their contrast – one so at home with opulence, the other itching to be back on the streets.

As I get closer, I see the love in Kirill’s eyes – for me, for our unborn babies. It takes my breath away to think how far we’ve come since that fateful day at the auction. He thought he was buying a piece of property; an asset to manipulate; instead, he found his soulmate and a family he never knew he wanted. And I…? I found the love I’d always wanted. Needed. And the kind of family I never had.

My steps quicken despite the weight of my swollen belly. I’m sure some brides feel trepidation as they walk down the aisle. Not me. Kirill Vyronov may be hard as nails, a brutal killer when it’s necessary. But he holds my happiness in his hands. I can’t wait to be his wife.

As I reach him, he looks down at me, and the world melts away for a moment. Kirill’s eyes bore into mine, and I feel like I’m drowning in their depths. The love I see reflected there is overwhelming, and I can’t help but feel like the luckiest woman in the world. It’s a wordless moment, but it speaks volumes.

The priest clears his throat, and I’m brought back to reality. Kirill and I turn our attention to him, and he begins to go through the ceremony. I barely hear it, lost in the emotions that overtake me, until the priest draws my attention back to him.

“Kirill Vyronov, do you take Tiana Avants to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, for as long as you both shall live?”

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