Mafia Boss’s Arranged Bride by Bella King
Epilogue
Nikolai
No frills, no fancy tables with lace tablecloths, no crystal champagne flutes, and absolutely no guests who aren’t known and trusted by both me and Annika. This wedding will be one that truly unifies us, not tears our families apart.
Michail was a fool to use Annika to cause chaos, but I won’t repeat his mistake. I’m taking her hand in marriage today, after three long and painful months of recovery. She was there by my side the entire time, and I owe her my life.
And I’ll give it to her. She’ll have my protection, my love, and my unrelenting servitude. I want her to feel my passion for her every day for the rest of our lives, and may God grant us long ones. I’ve never been so sure of anyone or of anything that I’ve done up until today.
I caught a glimpse of Annika from the window a few minutes ago, pulling a simple white dress over her head, looking just about as beautiful as a woman can possibly be. I almost feel the need to go back inside and redo my hair or clean up my beard for fear of being sorely outclassed.
But the time for preparation is over. I’m on the stage already, looking down at a small gathering of happy faces. It’s nothing like the last wedding. Everyone in attendance genuinely wants to be here, and they’re laughing and talking between themselves with the security of being amongst friends.
Sure, there is the looming afterthought of danger, as there always is with a gathering of important men and women, but we had security doubled, and with no perceivable threats in waiting, I’d say the risk of the disaster is at an all-time low.
If only my father could be here to see it. I wonder if he’d be proud or if he’d still be wearing that same tired scowl that he always has on his face. As much as I hated him, I still wish that Michail hadn’t killed him. I can almost see him in one of the empty seats near the back, folding his arms over his chest and shaking his head at the lack of decorations.
But for every beast that is slain, a hundred innocents must also die. Good deeds have less benefit than evil deeds have damage, but if you’re strong, as both Annika and I have had to be, you can overcome that for a beautiful existence.
Not an easy one, but a beautiful one, and I’ll take that over miserable ease any day of the week.
The music begins, and I stiff at the decidedly solemn tune that the pianist chose. It’s the same as was played at Michail’s wedding, with the subtle off-tone keys and everything. I’m pretty sure that’s the same piano too, and a bold pianist who dared play again after the shooting.
Perhaps we should’ve chosen someone else, but it’s too late for that. The doors open to the house, and Annika walks out, her dress flowing behind her like the froth of wave sliding across the sandy shore. She’s stunning, her hair cascading down from one side of her neck in a simple braid. I know she’s the one who chose everything this time, not her mother, and the honesty of her imagination makes all the difference.
She’s ready to take the throne by my side and rule the Ivanov mafia. I trust her, and she trusts me. There’s nothing that can stop us now.
The music slows, spilling from the piano at a near sluggish pace before picking up speed again, waning and waxing, flowing out as Annika seems to glide forward in front of me. Once she reaches the stairs, and I can see her in full light, the music stops entirely.
And now, the vows.
I push my hand into my pocket, thumbing a notecard that I already memorized. I feared that I would forget what was written on it when I saw Annika, too nervous to recollect anything but the present moment, but that’s not the case. She’s stunning, yes, but I’ve put forth many hours in memorizing the short speech, and I won’t forget it.
Annika looks up at me, a knowing smile on her glossy pink lips. We’re confident in what we’re doing, so assured that this is the right thing that neither of us has a single doubt to cloud our faith.
As the marriage officiant turns to me expectantly, I clear my throat, looking out toward the assembly, and then back at Annika to say my vows. “Annika, my darling,” I begin. “When I first met you, I felt a spark. Only through disaster, the most dreadful circumstances, did that spark turn into a fire. So, when I say that I vow to walk to the end of the earth with you, I’m sure you understand that I mean it.”
Her smile widens, and her cheeks flush pinker as I continue. “You are the sunshine that broke through the clouds in my life, a white rose that grew from the scorched earth, and I’m proud to call you an Ivanov from this day on. Annika, I love you, and I will do everything in my power to protect you. Never will there be a day in which you don’t feel it.”
Annika’s smile blooms into a grin as she takes my hand and recites her vows to me. “Nikolai, as fate would have it, you’re the man who was meant for me. I knew that then, and I know it now doubly so. I will always love and care for you, treat you with respect and dignity, and be the woman you need me to be. I’m proud to join the Ivanov family, and I wish nothing more than to spend the rest of my life as such. I love you.”
