Chapter 22 - Dimitri
DIMITRI
I strode into City Hall, flanked by Maxim and Sergey.
It was two minutes to eleven. This whole thing shouldn’t take more than ten minutes, and then we would be on our way.
My plane was fueled and ready to take me back to my city, pregnant wife in tow.
I’d instructed Polina and Sveta to get a room ready for her, had briefed my men, and made plans for Mila.
Plans I was sure she would be furious about, but that couldn’t be helped.
“All clear, Pakhan,” Aleksei said through the small Bluetooth in my ear. The hacker had eyes on every corner of this building and the surrounding streets. We might have an alliance with the Italians, but I would never put my trust in those outside my inner circle.
I strode down the hall to the ceremony waiting area, walking past all the couples who were excitedly waiting to get married, until I reached my bride.
Her family and friends formed a protective semi-circle around her as we approached.
Her pink dress was form-fitting and sparkly, showing off the curves of her breasts and lush thighs.
I gritted my teeth against the growing tightness in my crotch as memories from Paris flooded my mind.
The way those thighs had clamped around my head as I ate her pussy.
Her hard pink nipples brushing against my chest as she collapsed on top of me after she came.
She looked perfectly put together, a pretty smile on her face, her shoulders loose.
Was she really this calm about our impending marriage, or was this another one of her acts?
Rossi stood beside her, and I bristled at the Don’s hard glare.
Aleksei was scouring the dark corners of the internet for any whispers of evidence that Rossi had orchestrated this.
He had a cunning mind and ruthless reputation that told me none of this was beyond him.
Even now, as his jaw ticked and hands fisted, I wasn’t convinced it wasn’t all part of an elaborate act to throw me off the scent.
Make me believe he was against this marriage, all while his sister was infiltrating my home on his orders.
I came to a stop in front of Sienna just as our names were called. “Are you ready?”
She nodded and we walked into the chapel. We were allowed four guests, so Sofiya, Noodle, Rossi, Mila, and Maxim followed us in.
The officiant introduced herself. We faced each other. The ceremony lasted two minutes—enough time for us to say I do, exchange a perfunctory kiss, and sign the license. Sofiya signed as our witness, and that was it.
Sienna stepped away from me into the arms of my sisters. Mila and Sofiya gave her tight hugs and murmured words too low for me to overhear. My chest tightened. I turned on my heel and led everyone back into the hall.
Sienna was busy hugging everyone—Juliet, Romeo, the bodyguards. She introduced herself to Sergey and Maxim.
“The plane is waiting for us,” I snapped. No need for us to linger here.
Something that looked like pain flashed across Sienna’s face, but was quickly replaced by her smile. “Okay. I guess we can all head outside and say goodbye there.”
Half of us took the stairs and the other half waited for the elevator. Once we got outside, I gestured for Mila to come to my side.
“You will not be returning to Chicago with me.”
“Wait, what?” She glanced over her shoulder to where the other women were standing together on the sidewalk. Her eyes were bright when she turned back to me. “I get to stay here?”
“No. It is not safe for you to return to the house, but it is also not safe for you here.”
Her brow furrowed. “What are you talking about?”
“When the news gets out that I’ve brought the Italian Mafia princess to Bratva territory, we will become an even greater target by those who oppose our alliance.
” None of what I said was a lie—it just might not have been the complete truth.
If the intel we’d gotten was correct, anyone close to me was in danger.
“Until I can be sure my new wife isn’t going to jeopardize your safety, you will stay in a safe house with Nikolai.
You will leave from here. He has a car ready with supplies and your suitcase. ”
“Is this a joke? You’re actually joking. First, you force me to move back into that house because I wouldn’t possibly be safe in my own place, and now you’re sending me away with some stupid excuse about increased danger? You think I’m stupid enough to believe that?”
I kept my face blank even as frustration scorched my insides. If I had ever argued with the Pakhan like this, fucking scoffed at his commands, I would have been beaten until I lost consciousness. I wanted to shield her from pain, but the need for control burned inside me.
I caught Nikolai’s eye and jerked my head. He came over to us, expression unwavering at Mila’s scathing glare.
“I can’t fucking believe you’re doing this,” she said.
“This isn’t a debate, Mila. Say your goodbyes and go with Nikolai.” I turned to the guard. “If any harm comes to her, you know what will happen.”
He braced a hand over his heart. “I will guard her with my life, Pakhan.”
Mila let out an indignant screech and ran over to where the other women stood.
“Well, she took that about as well as I expected,” Maxim said, scooting to my side like a cartoon character. “What are the odds she gets in the car herself? I bet Kolya’s going to have to toss her inside.”
I didn’t deign to respond.
The women were huddled together like they were on a football team. Sienna cast a furtive glance in my direction, quickly looking away when our eyes met.
“Well, that’s not suspicious,” Maxim muttered. “Think they’re plotting our deaths?”
The women were all nodding at Mila, who was fucking smiling.
Sienna and Mila said their goodbyes to everyone. My new wife left her brother for last. After a brief hug, she turned away from him, fingers quickly wiping her eyes. She linked arms with Mila and the two of them walked over.
Sienna fixed me with her steady gaze. “I’m ready.”
“Let’s go.”