Chapter 34
Genesis gapes at me from the leather passenger seat when I parallel park in front of the cathedral.
The sun is setting, the sky darkening.
A few stars are already making their presence.
I stare out the window at the cathedral.
The same one where we had my family’s service.
Where Genesis made me promise to get revenge on the men who’d killed my family.
This is where we first argued and I first touched her.
And now, we’re making a new memory—where we marry.
Genesis leans toward me, resting her bare elbow on the console. “Have you lost your mind, Julian Bellini?”
“I sure as fuck have.” I unbuckle my seat belt, and the wind hits me when I step out of the Escalade. I speed walk around the SUV to her side.
I’ve lost the small ounce of sanity I had before signing the deal with Yaroslav. Breaking contracts is a rarity for me because it can be a death sentence.
Your word is one of the strongest things you have in this world.
You break it once, and that crack will be there forever, following you around.
But at this point, all my fucks are out the window.
I’m shattering my word to Yaroslav to keep mine to Genesis—that I’ll keep her safe.
This could’ve been a simple close of a deal.
I’ve given Yaroslav plenty of time to return my calls.
He’s been dodging them for a reason, and no way in hell will I allow that reasoning to hit me by surprise.
No man, especially in our world, delays getting half a million dollars unless there’s an ulterior motive.
When I do finally get in contact with him, I’ll inform him that Genesis is now a married woman and transfer the money into his account, and the deal will be done.
No more fucking with the Russians.
Good fucking riddance.
At this point, if for some reason Genesis can’t have a baby, we’ll deal with that later. Her safety is my highest priority.
Now, all I need is for her to comply with the plan.
A few people pass me on the sidewalk as I open Genesis’s door.
Her eyes widen as she stares at me in confusion.
I place a foot on the running board, offering her my hand. “Let’s go get married, Gen.”
“Ring those wedding bells,” she says, singing out the words and taking my hand.
She releases a yelp when I help her out of the SUV, and then she adjusts her red dress.
It feels good that I didn’t have to force her.
Not that I’ll admit it to her, but I would’ve. Had she tried to be difficult, I’d have thrown her over my shoulder and carried her right into the cathedral.
“Oh my God!”
I turn on my heel to find Darcy rushing over to us, her handbag swinging through the air and between her fingers.
“It’s true!” She bends at the waist when she reaches us, catching her breath. “I swore I thought Julian was messing with me.”
“Trust me, I’m still trying to figure out he isn’t,” Genesis says, staring up at me.
“It’s real,” I tell her, jerking my head toward the cathedral steps.
While I didn’t plan a large ceremony, I did arrange for a priest and Darcy. I wanted Genesis to have her best friend as her maid of honor.
I scrub a hand over my sweaty forehead, disappointed Damien won’t be here as my best man, but I won’t risk him or Antonio trying to stop me. They’d demand I wait until I heard back from Yaroslav before marrying Genesis.
They’d tell me to think logically.
Like they can trust Yaroslav.
But me? I don’t trust any of them.
That’s why there’s no changing my mind.
They could hold a gun to my head and tell me not to, and I’d still say my vows to Genesis, not giving a shit if they pulled the trigger.
Darcy pulls Genesis into a tight hug. She dressed for the occasion in a light-pink dress, and her maroon-colored hair is pulled into some kind of updo. I asked her to keep this on the down-low and not to even tell Pippa.
“You look gorg, babe,” Darcy tells Genesis, holding her at arm’s length and eyeing her knee-length dress and sparkly heels.
“Thank you,” Genesis whispers to her before pinching her lips and shooting me a quick look. “Though I wish someone had told me I was tying the knot. I’d definitely have chosen something else.”
“We’ll have another wedding,” I assure her. “This one is just paperwork.”
She raises a brow. “A contract type of paperwork? Tell me this one gets me out of the one my father signed.”
“This one makes you mine.” I grab her hand and lead her into the cathedral.
Darcy is behind us, chattering about the lack of a bachelorette party and how disappointed she is that she can’t throw Genesis one.
Low classical music drifts through the air when we enter the cathedral. The aroma of rich, sweet incense surrounds us. Lit candles line the altar and are situated on the piano, where a man is playing.
The lights are dimmed, giving off a Gothic vibe.
I’ve attended other weddings here.
They’re usually more cheerful, more alive, and brighter.
I didn’t want that.
I directed Father Jerome, saying that I wanted an intimate ceremony.
I’m not a man of cheer.
Darkness gives us monsters our peace.
Father Jerome stands tall at the base of the altar, waiting for us.
“Do we wait for ‘Here Comes the Bride’?” Darcy asks.
This is why I’ve always been drawn more to Genesis.
Darcy has a bad case of can-never-keep-her-mouth-shut-itis.
I ignore her and lead Genesis forward.
“Guess not,” Darcy mutters beneath her breath.
Genesis hasn’t said a word, and her attention sweeps our surroundings. She suddenly halts for a moment to run her hand over the pew we sat at the night of the funeral.
I’d buy that one if I could.
Maybe if I write the church a hefty check, they’ll let me have it.
There’s a price for everything.
My heart is dully thudding in my chest for a million reasons.
This is final, the last chapter of my personal life.
I’ll be stuck with Genesis forever since divorces are frowned upon in this life.
She’ll also be stuck with me.
Then comes the reminder that saying I do to her tonight could ultimately lead me to my death.
Yaroslav or Dima could kill me for voiding the contract.
Antonio could for my bringing danger onto the family for not fulfilling my word or asking for permission.
But unlike other men who serve Antonio Lombardi, I’m not afraid to suffer the consequences of my actions. I also have my own fucking mind and won’t kneel to any man, mob boss or not.
All for a woman , some may say.
To which I’d probably say yes and shoot them in the face.
Genesis deserves a safe home and a husband who cares about her, not some fucking abusive Russian prick. Hell, she deserves better than me, but I’m the hand of cards she was dealt.
I bet she didn’t count these cards.
Father Jerome clears his throat when we reach him.
Genesis’s hand grows clammy in mine, and I give it a tight squeeze.
“Father,” I say with a slow nod, dropping Genesis’s hand and turning to face her.
He peers at Genesis, noticing her outfit is not one of a typical bride, and looks at me skeptically. “She’s agreed to this, correct?” He straightens his clerical collar, as if suddenly questioning telling me yes to this.
Genesis’s attention sweeps from me to the priest. She wrinkles her nose, puzzled at his comment.
“The last wedding he did for the Lombardis was forced,” I explain, as if no big deal.
“Gigi’s?” Genesis asks Father Jerome.
The priest nods, his eyes looking at the floor before rising back to hers.
“I swore I wouldn’t do another, uh”—he clears his throat, as if he’s struggling to finish his sentence—“ wedding for them, but for Julian, I’ll do this.
” He gives me a respectful nod. “I was there when we buried your family. You’re a good man. ”
A good man?
I have to hold myself back from laughing.
If he knew the horrors I could confess in his confessional, I doubt he’d say that. He’d probably pour a bucket of holy water on me, then set me on fire.
But, hey, if he wants to think my heart is pure, then have at it.
Genesis gives Father Jerome a red-lipped smile. “I want this, Father.” Her beautiful smile moves to me, growing, and nearly takes over her entire face. “I want to be his wife.”
I lick my lips, giving her a smile that doesn’t reach my eyes, but is still bigger than one I’ve given in years.
I gulp, tapping my pocket as reality seeps inside me.
I’ve lied to myself all night.
I’m not marrying Genesis to save her or because I want her to have my baby.
I’m marrying Genesis so she’ll be mine forever.