Epilogue Maksim
With a newly tailored tux, I stood in one of the preparation rooms of St. Michael the Archangel Russian Orthodox Church.
One of the many wedding planners was currently sticking a blood red rose in my lapel.
He was a jumpy man whom I could only imagine had gotten wind that I was co-pahkan of the city’s Bratva.
Scattered across the room, my brothers were getting the same flower treatment. Mr. Jumpy held out the final boutonniere to me. “This belongs to the Best Man.”
Nodding, I turned around and searched the room. With his head buried in his iPad, Sammy sat outfitted in his custom tux while concentrating on a video game. “Sam, you’re up, buddy,” I called.
After he jerked his head up, he tossed the iPad onto the couch beside him before popping up.
When it came to picking a Best Man, there was no way in hell I could’ve picked between my brothers.
Each one meant too much to me, and I’d already been tormented enough in life by the whole birth order fuckery.
In the end, there was a simple choice before me, and that was Sammy. It was worth it to see the absolute joy on his face when I asked him. It was just after I’d gotten his permission to marry Sarah.
“Stay really still, okay? I don’t want you getting poked with the needle,” I instructed.
To my amusement, he rolled his eyes at me. “Like I haven’t ever worn a bootyneer.”
I didn’t even bother correcting him. Instead, I reached for my phone.
Your brother just dissed me for telling him to be still for his ‘bootyneer.’
Instead of Sarah texting back, it was Kira.
Your bride is getting into her dress and can’t reply.
Could you give me a preview?
Absolutely not! It’s bad luck. And the two of you have had enough of that.
With my lips twitching, I countered:
Is kidnapping and emotional blackmail considered bad luck or poor choices on my behalf?
It’s bad juju, and I’m not going to do anything to wreck your union.
It warmed my heart that my sisters loved Sarah so much. The same could be said for my brothers as well.
For once, I’ll agree with you.
Glad you realized I’m always right.
Whatever.
I didn’t get another moment to think about Sarah in her dress. We spent the next half hour being shuffled around to do pictures. Even though I had pictures made with the bridesmaids and Sarah with the groomsmen, our paths didn’t cross.
I was just about to lose my mind from not seeing her when it was time for me to meet up with Sarah. Unlike Western wedding ceremonies, Sarah and I would be walking up the aisle together. As I waited for her to come join me, I felt the same adrenaline rush I often felt after chasing her.
When the doors opened to reveal her, I sucked in a breath at how absolutely gorgeous she was.
She was positively radiant in her massive gown that Kira, Mila, Tara, and Grace had helped her pick out.e.
The smile on Sarah’s face sent tears pricking my eyes.
While I should’ve cared about my men seeing me show emotion, I didn’t give a fuck today.
Within the bouquet of white Stargazer and Calla lilies Sarah held, there was a single red one. It was in memory of Hollis who had passed away just six weeks ago. When he hadn’t fared well in a personal care home, I’d moved him and Grace into the compound and hired around-the-clock nurses.
One person who had really stepped up was Silas. He’d been sober for ten months, and his medications were really helping. He had his good days and bad. He was really good with landscaping, so I’d hired him to work at several of our properties.
While I thought it was amazing, Sarah was cautious. She’d seen him relapse too many times. The reason why he had a place beside his mother in the pew was not because of how I felt about him. It was how much Sarah wanted to rebuild a life with him.
As I stepped closer to her, I said, “You take my breath away.”
Sarah beamed. “Thank you.”
The priest cleared his throat, and I immediately snapped back to follow instructions. After we were blessed with holy water and given our lighted candles, we started down the aisle together and into the bright future awaiting us.