4. Alexei
4
ALEXEI
I try to ignore the feeling of hundreds of eyes on me as I stand at the altar with my three brothers beside me. I’m not usually one to be the center of attention, especially when I’m about to recite vows to a woman I’ve shared only a handful of words with.
But I made a promise.
And I never break my promises.
So, I stand patiently, waiting for Bianca to appear.
Dimitri leans into my ear. “You don’t think she’s made a run for it, do you?”
I shoot him a glare.
“Maybe she took one look at me and realized she’s marrying the wrong brother?”
“Trust me, you wouldn’t have a clue how to handle a woman like Bianca,” I mutter under my breath.
“I’m not sure you do either, brother.”
I roll my eyes, though part of me thinks he might be right.
Bianca is all soft curves and big eyes, but the moment she opens her mouth… Fuck, it would send any normal man running for the hills.
But not me.
Most women I’ve encountered tend to have no clue about who or what I truly am, and I like to keep it that way for everyone’s sake. But even without them knowing the truth behind my family name, many choose not to push me. To do exactly as I say in order to keep me happy.
I’m not ignorant to the fact that I radiate power and wealth, two things that many crave. But in my case, they bear consequences. And not ones they can deal with.
So, when Bianca did the opposite, challenged my intentions and spoke to me as if we were equals, it sent such a thrill through my body.
I’m still finding it hard to shake the arousal as I picture her plump lips pulled back in a snarl as she rips into me.
I can’t seem to fight the smirk that tugs at my lips as I picture us later in the honeymoon suite.
She’ll definitely give me a run for my money then.
Dimitri’s arm lands on my shoulder. “Here she comes.”
I turn and glance down the aisle at the same time a string quartet starts playing the entrance music.
My breath catches as my eyes land on Bianca, clutching her father’s arm, as she stares at me.
I let my eyes trail over her bare shoulders, taking in the strapless silk dress that barely contains her full breasts, before hugging her waist and fanning out into a full skirt.
She’s breathtaking.
And she’s mine .
Her cheeks grow a beautiful shade of pink under the weight of my stare, which adds a certain innocence to her complexion.
I’m well aware of the fact that I’m ten years older than her, and that I’m stealing a moment from her that most girls dream off since childhood. But in order to survive in my world, you have to make sacrifices.
Our eyes stay locked as Bianca makes her way down the aisle, which has been laid with a pale pink carpet to match the flowers. Her full lips are parted, and I know that the moment she stands beside me she’s going to make another snide comment.
And I can’t fucking wait.
“Here we go.” Dimitri chuckles under his breath as Bianca and Emilio eventually reach the end of the aisle.
I glance at Emilio who nods his head once before taking his daughter's hand and offering it to me.
As I go to reach for Bianca’s hand, she snatches it away, choosing to pick up the heavy skirt of her dress and move so that she’s facing me.
“Forgive me, I didn’t have a chance to write my own vows.” She shoots me a glare.
Laughter titillates through the small crowd which only deepens her scowl.
“I took the liberty of writing some for you.” I grin, reaching into the inside pocket of my jacket and pulling out a sheet of paper. “I think you’ll find them satisfactory.”
She frowns as she unfolds the paper and scans the vows that I jotted down for her while she was changing.
“Are you kidding?” She snorts. “What is this, the ninety-fifties? There’s no way in hell I’m saying any of this.”
“You’re welcome to make a few changes, but I suggest you stick to the gist of what I’ve written.” I smile at her, but I know she can take a hint.
Bianca’s blue eyes meet mine for a moment, and her cheeks instantly redden, and I know she’s picturing what I mentioned in there .
As if she can sense my own thoughts, she clears her throat and looks back down at the vows.
“How about I agree to listen to you occasionally and that we have mutual respect for each other?”
“I guess that will do. For now.” I raise my eyebrow. “But that second paragraph?—”
“Is not going to happen.”
Dimitri stifles his laughter next to me.
I bend down so that my lips are almost brushing her ear.
“The same would apply to you too, solnyshka . I’ll be more than happy to take care of your every need and desire…”
The sound of her breath catching makes me grin.
I straighten and let my eyes flick down to her breasts which are rising and falling quickly as she tries to calm herself.
“Don’t even think for a second that I’m wearing a ring.”
“That’s fine, kisa . Everyone will already know who you belong to.”
She shoots me a glare that makes me bite the inside of my cheek to stop from smiling.
I like how easy it is to rile her up.
“Let’s get this over with.” She turns to face the very patient minister who seems rather concerned by the nature of this wedding.
Round one to me .
The moment Bianca Bellucci signs the marriage certificate in front of all two hundred guests and is officially declared my wife is a moment that is burned into my brain forever. Not because of how romantic or heartwarming it was, but because the moment she slams the pen down onto the table, she gets to her feet, storms off down the aisle, grabbing a rogue bottle of champagne from an ice bucket on the way and disappears inside the elevator without a backwards glance.
I get to my feet, trying my best to hide my amusement at Bianca’s attitude, and address the guests.
“Time to celebrate!” I exclaim, clapping my hands together. “If you all would like to make your way down to the ballroom.”
I plaster a smile on my face as I watch the guests get to their feet and start to file out of the rows of chairs. Many of the faces are unfamiliar to me, though I know Emilio would have requested their attendance for a reason.
My marriage to Bianca sends a message. Two of the most powerful families in New York are legally bound together. You mess with one, you mess with both.
Dimitri hugs me. “I wonder how long it will take for Mario to learn of your wonderful news.”
I shoot him a warning glare.
“Keep your mouth shut, Dimitri. You don’t know who might be listening here.”
I scan each of the faces of the guests that pass me as I make my way down the aisle, my brothers filling in behind me.
Looking to the corners of the rooftop, I catch the eyes of the only other people I invited to share my special day. Feliks, Micha, and my cousin Anton. They nod at me in turn, and I relax a little, knowing they got my back.
This may be a wedding, but that’s never been enough to halt the workings of the mafia.
As we near the elevator, I turn to Dmitri. “Keep your eyes on Bianca.”
She disappeared without a trace of security, and I don’t like it.
I make a silent vow not to be so careless again.
She might not like being married to me, we may have nothing between us other than a piece of paper, but that won’t stop me from ensuring she’s protected at all costs. I have a promise to keep.
He frowns at me. “Isn’t that your job, brother?”
“Just do as I ask.” I step into the elevator.
Dimitri chuckles and steps in beside me, along with Mikhail and Danil, who presses the button for the ballroom.
“Congrats, brother.” Mikhail slaps me on the shoulder.
Danil looks at me. “What’s the plan now? When is she moving into the family digs?”
“Tomorrow.”
Danil chokes, and Mikhail has to slap him on the back.
“I was joking.”
“She’s my wife, Danil.” I tap my fingers against my thighs as the elevator goes down the ten floors.
“On paper,” Mikhail reminds me.
“She has even more of a target on her head now that she’s bound to me.” I fold my arms across my chest. “I didn’t think I would need to explain that to you, but so be it. She’s part of this family now, and you protect her like she’s one of our own, got it?”
I look each of my brothers in the eye. “Got it?”
“ Da, brat .”
“And while she’s living under our roof, you will treat her with the utmost respect. Regardless of everything else, she is still my wife. Am I clear?”
“ Da, brat .”
“Good, now let’s go and enjoy my wedding,” I state as the elevator doors slide open .
Dimitri keeps to my side as we scan the ballroom.
It’s like a florist blew up in here. It’s perhaps a little much for my taste.
My eyes land on Bianca, and I can’t help but smile.
She’s holding a glass of champagne, not the bottle anymore, as she gently sways to the music with a vibrant redhead wearing the gold dress Bianca was wearing only a few hours ago.
“That must be the cousin,” I mutter under my breath to Dimitri.
“Couldn’t you have married her?” He smirks. “She seems more…mellow.”
“Not a fan of redheads.” I grin, deciding to finally approach my wife, hoping the champagne has calmed her down a little. Though by the way she glares at me as I approach her, I might be wrong.
“What do you want?”
I glance at the terrified redhead and offer her the warmest smile I can muster.
“May I have a moment alone with my wife?”
She nods, scurrying away, leaving me alone with Bianca in the middle of the dance floor.
“Care to dance?” I offer her my hand.
Bianca glances down at it and wrinkles her nose.
“You really do wonders for a man’s ego.” I chuckle, tucking my hands into my pocket.
“Surprise marriage or not, it takes more than a smile to win me over, gattino. ” She grins. “I need another drink.”
“Little cat, huh? I’ll take it, kisa .” I wink at her. “Now allow me.”
She rolls her eyes but falls into step beside me as we wade through the guests toward the bar at the far end of the ballroom .
I lift one finger to the bartender. “Champagne, please.”
Bianca frowns at me. “You’re not having one?”
“Not tonight. I think it’s best if one of us remains sober.”
“If you say so.” She takes the glass from the bartender, draining half of it in one go.
I’m mesmerized as her throat bobs, and I can’t help but picture running my tongue along the smooth column of her neck.
This woman is intoxicating.
“I’m not really a bad guy.” I bow my head so I can whisper in her ear.
Bianca rolls her eyes as she glances at me.
“Some women would think me quite a catch, you know…”
“Perhaps if their standards were on the floor…” She takes another sip of her drink.
“I’m not the villain here, ptichka .”
She frowns, and I grin as she briefly loses hold over her stone-like composure.
“Oh yeah?” Her eyes search my face. “How many weapons have you got stashed on you right now?” Her eyebrow quirks as she waits for my answer.
I give her my most seductive tone. “Only one, solnyshka …”
She slaps my arm as a soft pink tinge appears across her chest.
Fuck, she’s thinking about my cock, and that makes it twitch.
She looks at anywhere but my face. “I’m being serious.”
I reach for my jacket, pulling it open to expose the inside pocket where there is a very clear outline of a handgun.
“One.” I pull open the other side. “Two. ”
Bianca’s throat bobs as I reach to pull up my trouser leg where I have a knife strapped to my calf, the tip of the blade outlined beneath my sock.
“Three.”
“Were you planning on using any of those if I said no?” Her eyes never stray from my jacket, as if she’s trying to imagine me pulling a gun on her.
“You can’t seriously be asking me that?”
Does she really see me as that much of a monster?
I try to ignore the way my chest tightens at the thought, keeping my expression neutral as she fumbles for an answer.
She shrugs her slim shoulders.
“You’re a stranger to me, Alexei, I don’t know what you’re capable of.”
I exhale, running my hands through my hair as I regard Bianca’s cold expression.
“I made a vow to protect you, and I plan to honor it with my life.”
“Hmm…” She presses her lips into a thin line.
I want to know what she’s thinking. “Many would think such a declaration to be highly romantic.”
“Perhaps if the man speaking wasn’t a sadist.”
I can’t help but laugh as she scowls at me once more.
“In all seriousness, ptichka , whether you like it or not, we are married. And how that marriage goes is up to you. I’ve laid my cards out on the table, play them however you like.”
“You called me that before. What does it mean?”
“ Ptichka ?”
She nods.
“It means little bird.”
Bianca rolls her eyes .
“I meant it when I said I want to protect you. But as for how this whole marriage thing can go between us, give it some thought.”
She tilts her head, almost as she is assessing me, before she nod once and storms past me, clearly annoyed.
I want to follow her, to let her know… What?
It doesn’t matter because Dimitri approaches with a grim look on his face.
I frown. “What is it?”
“Gilanto is pissed.” My brother glances around in case any prying ears are listening.
“Word got back to Feliks. He had a guy trailing Mario’s new second. He’s well aware of who betrayed the information of his family's whereabouts. Emilio better get the hell out of town while he has a chance. Otherwise, he may just find himself with a bullet lodged in his skull.”
“I’ll take care of Emilio. Make sure Feliks and the others are on alert. I don’t want this to get back to Bianca.”
“Of course.” Dimitri nods before disappearing into the crowd.
I take a deep breath and turn around, leaning against the bar as I scan the room for my new father-in-law. I thought perhaps we would have a few weeks before any threat would be made on Emilio’s life, but it turns out the Gilantos wait for no one.
I find Emilio nursing a glass of scotch at one of the tables, his eyes trained on Bianca who has gone back to dancing with her cousin who seems to be moments away from breaking down into tears.
Sliding into the vacant seat beside my father-in-law, I clasp a hand on his shoulder. “It’s time, Emilio.”
He says nothing, lifting his glass to his lips as he watches Bianca .
It kills me, for both of them, but this needs to happen. And the sooner, the better. For all our sakes. “Mario knows.”
After he drains his glass, we both get to our feet.
There’s nothing but agony in Emilio’s blue eyes as he glances once more at Bianca before looking at me.
“Take good care of my daughter.” His eyes are pleading. “Promise me on your life that you won’t let any harm come to her.”
I get my right hand over my heart. “ Klyanus' svoyey chest'yu .”
He frowns at me.
“I swear on my honor. Or should I say, lo giuro sul mio onore .”
I smile a bit as I reach out my hand, and Emilio grasp it and nods, his shoulders sagging.
“She’s all I have,” he chokes out.
“I will protect her with my life.”