Page 99 of Chain Me

Sofia's expression turns thoughtful. "Though knowing Alexi, she'd probably be the one hacker smart enough to give him a real challenge. He'd respect that."

"Before completely losing his mind over her," Natasha finishes. "He's already acting like this phantom hacker is his personal nemesis. I caught him talking to her through his computer screen last week, like she could hear him."

A sharp knock interrupts our laughter. Sofia and Natasha exchange glances before Sofia calls out, "Come in."

The door opens to reveal my father, immaculate in his tailored black tuxedo. "Father." The word comes out softer than I intended.

"Katarina." His voice carries that familiar gruff warmth I remember from childhood. "You look..." He pauses. "Breathtaking. Absolutely stunning."

Tears prickle my eyes. “Thank you.”

Sofia and Natasha gather their bouquets, understanding the unspoken need for privacy. “We'll see you at the altar,” Sofia murmurs, pressing a quick kiss to my cheek. Natasha squeezes my hand before they both slip out, leaving me alone with my father.

He extends his arm, the gesture formal yet tender. “It's time, little star.”

The old nickname hits me like a punch to the chest. Butterflies explode in my stomach as I loop my arm through his.

“I need to say something before we go down there.” His jaw tightens, the way it always does when he's about to admit fault.“What I tried to do to you—forcing you to marry Petrov—it was wrong.”

I study his profile, seeing the tension in the lines around his eyes.

“I thought I was protecting our family, securing our future. But I was treating you like a business asset instead of my daughter.” His voice drops lower. “I'm sorry, Katarina. You deserved better from me.”

The sincerity in his tone cracks something open in my chest. “I know why you did it. I understand the pressure you were under.”

“That doesn't excuse it.” He turns his face to look at me. “I almost lost you forever. Almost handed you over to a man who would have destroyed everything that makes you who you are.”

“But you didn't.” I squeeze his arm. “And now look—the Lebedev-Ivanov alliance is stronger than either family could have been alone. Even the Petrovs can't touch us now.”

A ghost of his old, proud smile crosses his face. “My brilliant daughter. Always see the bigger picture.”

The butterflies in my stomach intensify as reality crashes over me. In ten minutes, I'll be walking down that aisle toward Erik. Toward my future.

Toward forever.

The massive doors of the Ritz-Carlton ballroom swing open, and the first notes of Pachelbel's Canon fill the air. My breath catches in my throat as I step into the candlelit space, hundreds of white roses creating an ethereal backdrop.

But none of it matters the moment I see him.

Erik stands at the altar in a perfectly tailored black tuxedo, his dark hair styled but still carrying that hint of wildness I've come to love. His hands are clasped behind his back, his posture military-straight, but when our eyes meet, his composure cracks.

Those intense eyes that have seen me at my weakest and strongest moments are locked on mine, filled with such raw emotion that my knees nearly buckle.

My father's steady presence beside me keeps me upright as we walk down the aisle, scattered with rose petals. Each step brings me closer to the man who captured me, claimed me, and somehow became my salvation.

Erik's gaze never wavers. I can see him drinking in every detail—the way my grandmother's lace veil frames my face, how the silk dress hugs my curves before flowing into a delicate train. His jaw works as he swallows hard, and I recognize the struggle for control I know so well.

When we reach the altar, my father places my hand in Erik's. The contact sends electricity up my arm. Erik's fingers are warm and tremble enough to remind me that this powerful, dangerous man is as affected as I am.

“Take care of her,” my father murmurs, his voice carrying both blessing and threat.

Erik's gaze never leaves mine. “With my life.”

The officiant begins, but his words fade to background noise. All I can focus on is Erik's thumb stroking across my knuckles, grounding me, claiming me.

When it's time for vows, Erik's voice is steady but thick with emotion. “Katarina, you challenged everything I thought I knew about myself. You made me want to be more than just a soldier, more than just a weapon. You're my anchor and my freedom, and I promise to protect, cherish, and love you for the rest of my life.”

“Erik, you saved me from a life I never wanted and showed me what it means to truly live. You're my strength and my weakness, my captor and my salvation. I choose you, today and always.”

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