Page 112 of Born into Darkness

“Oh my god, you look so handsome!”

I turn at the sound of my mom’s voice, not at all surprised to see that she’s already fighting tears. She gives me a big hug and then because she’s too excited to be still, she straightens the rose that’s pinned to my lapel before adjusting my tux jacket.

“Thanks, Mom,” I say, smiling down at her. “Is Talia ready?”

She smiles even bigger. “Almost. Everyone’s taking their seats now, though, so it won’t be too much longer.”

I may not show it like my mom is, but I’m just as nervous. Ever since Talia agreed to marry me, I’ve been waiting for this moment. I would’ve made her my wife that same day if she’d let me. I knew she was the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with in that dark basement, and that feeling only grew stronger after we left it.

“I’m so happy for you two,” my mom says, running her eyes over me and clapping her hands when she’s satisfied with what she sees.

We both turn when my dad and brother walk in, all three of us in black tuxes. My mom immediately starts taking photos with her phone. I hug my dad and brother and pose for several more photos with them and then a few of just Niki and me.

“You ready, son?” my dad asks, giving me a big smile.

“I’m more than ready,” I tell him.

He laughs and looks at my mom. “Exactly how I felt when I married you,sladkaya.”

She gives him a big, wobbly smile as she tries not to cry. He smacks her butt and gives her a kiss. “Come on, baby. Let’s go watch our oldest son get married.”

With tears in her eyes, she gives me one more hug and then lets my dad lead her out. Niki stays back with me since he’s my best man. Talia and I both have way too many cousins to really pair everyone off evenly, so in the end we each chose three people to stand up with us. Niki is my best man with Luka and Val as my groomsmen. Allie is the maid of honor with Yulia and Sitka as her bridesmaids. Isabella is our flower girl, and Wallace will be walking with her. She’d been thrilled when we told her Wallace was her date. She’d laughed and kissed his furry head, thinking it was the funniest thing in the world.

I can’t wait to fill our house with all the photos from today. It’s one of the things I’m most looking forward to, and I’d hired three photographers for the job, because I want every angle and every moment captured. Too much? Maybe, but in the end I’ll get my photos, and that’s all I care about.

I look over at my younger brother, unable to believe that I’m about to get married and that he’ll be turning eighteen in a few months. It seems like just a couple of years ago that he was lugging around his little toy laptop and following me around everywhere.

“What’s that look for?” he asks.

I grin and say, “I was just thinking about that toy laptop you had. Remember that? God, you wouldn’t go anywhere without it.”

Niki laughs. “That thing was awesome. Mom kept it. It’s with all the other childhood stuff she couldn’t bear to throw away. Probably right next to your toy keyboard.”

I laugh at the mention of the toy I’d been obsessed with, and ignore the soft pang in my heart at still not being able to play. My index finger is still taped to my middle finger to give it extra support, and even though I’m healing, it’s taking way longer than I’d like it to, and I’m under strict orders to only do the approved exercises and no more. The temptation to push through the pain and play whatever I want is strong, and without Talia, I would’ve given in long ago and probably left myself with permanent damage. I’d been right about her nursing skills, though. She’s bossy as hell and doesn’t let me get away with shit. I love seeing it, and I especially love when my dominant little nursemaid turns into such a willing sub anytime I distract her with my cock.

She’s fucking perfect, and I still can’t believe she’s mine.

“Okay,” Niki says, looking at his phone. “We’re up.” He surprises me by giving me a big hug. “I’m happy for you, brother. Talia’s great, and I’m looking forward to visiting you all when you’re in Oregon.”

“Thanks, Niki,” I tell him, hugging him back and then straightening my jacket again before we walk out.

We weren’t sure where to get married, but when I’d driven Talia out to the farmhouse one day, she and Wallace had fallen in love with it. Her entire family flew in for the weekend, and the house is big enough to hold both our families, so it’s worked out perfectly so far.

Niki and I meet up with Luka and Val near the back of the house, and my cousins are all smiles as they give me a hug.

Val keeps his arm around my shoulders, neither one of us quite believing this day has come. He looks out at the white tent that’s taking up most of the backyard and says, “I tried not to show it while we were there, but I seriously thought we were going to die in that basement.”

I meet his eyes, remembering all the beatings we took together, all the nights we spent unable to sleep because the pain was too intense, and the fear that was always eating away at the back of our minds.

“I didn’t think we were either,” I admit. “Miguel was such a fucking prick.”

Val gives a harsh laugh. “He was. I smile every time I remember he’s dead.”

“Me, too.”

“Leaving you down there fucking killed me, Max.” His words are thick with emotion, and he stops to get control of himself. He looks at the wedding tent and the rows of chairs that are filled with our family. “I’m just really glad this is how it all ended, because I don’t think I could’ve handled any other outcome.”

I squeeze his shoulder while Luka wraps us both in a hug. “I love you both, but you need to stop because you’re making me emotional and I refuse to cry in front of another Bratva.”

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