The Bastard’s Betrayal by Katee Robert

Chapter 26

Dante arrived at the Romanov household after midnight, but it seemed every window was lit from within. He’d barely knocked on the door when Rose flung it open and threw herself into his arms. “D’yavol.”

“Amata.” He hugged her tightly, inhaling her rich scent and enjoying the feel of her in his arms again. This time, they wouldn’t be parted. He nudged her back and took in her green dress, tired eyes, and happy smile. “Are you sure?” Foolish of him to ask the question now, when poised right to get what he wanted most, but even more than marrying Rose, he didn’t want her to regret this.

Her smile widened. “I’m sure.”

Then there was nothing else to say. Not until they were truly alone. “Then take me to this priest.”

Things happened quickly after that. He barely got a look at the hulking Vasily before Rose hauled him into a lovely sitting room. Or it would have been lovely if it weren’t filled with murderous-looking Romanovs. Lorelei wasn’t present, but Rose’s other two sisters and parents were there, all staring at him with cold eyes that promised pain and death should he let down Rose.

He could have told them it was a nonissue. He was about to get exactly what he wanted. He would allow absolutely nothing to jeopardize it. And once Rose put his ring on her finger? He pressed his hand to his pocket. No one would touch her. He’d ensure it.

He squeezed Rose’s hand, and she shot him a happy smile. “Ready?”

“Si.” He’d never been readier for anything in his life. Everything had brought them to this point, and if there would be trials to come—and there would with Jovan Romanov breathing down their necks—then they’d face them together.

The door opened behind them, and an old Black man in priest’s clothing walked in, followed by a white woman in an ill-fitting suit. She held a folder in her hands and looked around. “Who’s the happy couple?”

Rose towed Dante to the woman. “It’s us.”

“I have paperwork for you to sign.” She set it down on the coffee table and started to explain the prenup.

“It’s fine,” Dante cut in. “Where do I sign?”

Rose shot him an exasperated look. “You should read it first. I might be demanding your kidney.”

“A small price to pay.”

She smiled but the expression fell away far too quickly. “Seriously, Dante. You should read it.

“It’s not necessary. We’re not getting divorced.” He took the pen and signed the page the woman indicated. Next was the paperwork to be filed to make the marriage legal. They were taking no chances tonight. He liked that. He didn’t think Rose would change her mind, not now that she admitted she loved him and had put herself on this course, but he would be lying if he said a part of him didn’t relax at the knowledge that this would be set in stone.

Rose shook her head but signed as well. “You’re so damn sure of everything.”

“Aren’t you?”

She smiled a little. “I don’t have to be sure of everything. I’m sure of you.”

The woman looked over the papers “Everything is finished. I’ll file these first thing in the morning.”

Dmitri Romanov nodded. “As soon as they’re filed, your debt is paid.”

The woman looked a little green as she nodded, her voice shaky. “It’s, uh, a pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Romanov.”

“Vasily will show you out.”

As soon as she left the room, Dmitri motioned at the priest. “Your turn, Father Michael.”

Rose and Dante approached the priest together, holding hands, and it felt so fucking right. No one was handing this woman off to him. She’d chosen him of her own free will, against odds that had seemed insurmountable a few weeks ago. Dante had never doubted they’d end up exactly in this place, but he still felt almost drunk on the reality of it. As the priest began to speak while the Romanov family looked on, he couldn’t take his eyes off Rose’s face.

She looked tired and happy and more beautiful than ever.

She looked like his wife.

“The rings.”

He pulled the one out of his pocket. Rose frowned a little at the sight of the emerald. “You already have a ring?”

“Don’t you?”

She grinned. “Guilty.” She held up a thick silver ring. “I picked it up in a little after-hours shopping spree.”

“This was my mother’s.” He slipped the ring onto Rose’s third finger, easing it slowly on. It was a perfect fit. “It was the only thing of value she kept. The only thing she passed down to me.”

“Dante,” she whispered.

“I think she would have liked you.” Impossible to truly know, but his mother had been strong and doing her best. Surely she would be happy to see him married to a woman who did the same.

Rose’s hands shook as she put his ring on. A perfect fit, which had him raising his brows. “No going back now.”

“There never was.”

The priest cleared his throat. “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

For once in his life, Dante decided to play it safe and press a mostly chaste kiss to his new bride’s lips. It would be a shame to spend his wedding night bleeding from a bullet wound courtesy of one of his new family members, after all.

They turned to face the room, and while it wasn’t the most joyful reception, no one had their guns or knives out. It would do. Keira Romanov approached first. She pulled Rose into a hug and then moved to him. “I’m sure you’ll be a wonderful husband to my daughter.” She pressed a kiss to each of his cheeks and moved away. A subtle threat, that. Rose must take after Dmitri in that regard.

Sure enough, he was the next to approach. He also hugged Rose and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. Only then did he turn his attention to Dante. “You’re a long way from home, and I have no problem making my daughter a widow if the situation calls for it. Remember that.”

Dante shrugged. “It won’t be necessary.” Normally, he’d bristle at the threat, but his mood was too light at the moment. Her father and the others would come around. He didn’t really give a fuck what they thought of him, but it would upset Rose if he became a wedge between her and her family. He’d won her over; he’d do the same with her parents and sisters. Eventually.

Anya came next, a sleek blond predator dressed in pants and a loose button-down shirt that showed off a slice of her chest. Of the Romanov daughters, she looked the most like Rose, even with the different hair. She squeezed Rose’s hand and eyed Dante. “Watch your back.”

Finally, it was the last sister’s turn. Sasha. She had tear tracks down her pretty face, but he couldn’t tell if they were happy tears or mourning tears. She grabbed his arm, her grip fiercer than he expected. “You keep my sister safe, do you hear me?”

“Sasha.”

He ignored his new wife and focused on her sister. “No one will touch her. I promise.”

She searched his face for a long moment and then nodded. “Good. That’s good.” The barest hesitation and then she released him and moved away.

Just like that, it was finished. No one seemed overeager to linger, which suited Dante just fine. He wanted to be alone with Rose. When she finally took his hand, he marveled to find himself trembling a little. This was really happening. They’d gone too far to turn back now. That was his ring on her finger and hers on his.

Husband. Wife.

She led him out of the sitting room and down a long dark hall to a set of stairs. He should have taken in the details, but he was too focused on her. At least until she opened a door on the second floor and ushered him inside. “I don’t know what living arrangements will look like long term, but we need to stay here in the meantime.”

He stepped into her room and looked around. The room was a treasure chest of Rose. A vanity stood against one wall with an overlarge mirror and every bit of space filled with more makeup than one woman could possibly use, though it looked like she used it regularly. A feat, that. Her bed was large and covered with a lush, deep-green comforter and a scattering of pillows. There appeared to be a sitting area with two chairs, but it was hard to tell beneath two massive piles of clothing. Two doorways led into a walk-in closet and a bathroom with a decent-sized shower and a tub.

Dante walked back into the bedroom. “Your family isn’t going to thank me for whisking you away the first chance I get.”

“No, they won’t.” She searched his face. “But it’s also not going to be comfortable living with them for who knows how long. They’re rather angry with me right now.”

He shrugged. “They’ll get over it. This is your home. I’m not going to take you from it.” She’d be safer here in the coming confrontation, and it also eliminated the risk of someone deciding to undermine her authority because she wasn’t present. No matter how pissed her family was, they loved her. Once they realized he loved her as well, they’d get over it.

If they didn’t? He was more than capable of handling it.

Rose didn’t seem so sure. “I don’t think Anya is going to stab you, but…”

“Amata.” He crossed to her and pulled her into his arms. “I am here for you and you alone. I can deal with your family, attempted stabbings, or no. You’re the heir of this family, and you need to be here. I can handle it.”

She ran her hands up his chest. “I’d say you’re too good to be true, but there was the kidnapping.”

“Si.” He backed toward the bed, taking her with him. “Though you started it when you shot me.”

“I did, didn’t I?” She unbuttoned his shirt, and he let go of her long enough for her to slide the fabric over his shoulders and down his arms. She touched the scar on his shoulder. “It’s barbaric, but I like that you wear my marks.”

Desire shot through him with a strength that staggered him. He took her hand and pressed it to the scar fully. “I was yours from long before the moment you pulled the trigger.”

“We’re so fucked up,” she whispered.

“No.” He cupped her face with one hand. “We’re twisted so perfectly that we balance each other in a way other people could never accomplish. You’re mine, amata. I’m yours.”

Rose turned her face and kissed his palm. “Husband.”

“Wife.”

She stepped back and reached down to grip the hem of her green dress. One smooth move and it was on the floor next to her, leaving her in a pair of matching black bra and panties. “Tomorrow we have a meeting with Vladimir Romanov.”

Dante sat on the bed and cupped her hips, urging her closer. “He will make threats. You will make your own threats. It will end in an impasse.”

“Da.” She straddled him and pushed him back to lie flat on the mattress. “It’s the opening move in a chess match between us.” A line appeared between her perfect brows. “I don’t know what happens next, d’yavol. There’s a reason we avoid war at all costs. The price is too high.”

“You have nothing to worry about, amata.” He bent up and kissed her. “You have the devil on your side. I’ll keep you safe.”

She smiled against his lips. “And my family? My people? My territory?”

“Don’t you know how powerful the devil is?” He stroked a hand up her spine and cupped the back of her neck. “There are more alliances to consider and more plays to make. You’re smart and you’re ruthless, and Jovan Romanov has bitten off more than he can chew by fucking with you and your family.” He kissed her hard. “We will prevail.”

“I love you, Dante.”

He rolled her, moving them up the mattress enough that he could settle between her thighs. “I love you, too, Rose. Amata. Wife. Forever.”