My heart swells so much, it feels like it might crack my ribs.
When we reach the end of the aisle, my father kisses my cheek and places my hand in Aleksandr's. His palm is warm, calloused, steady.
"Hi," I whisper.
"Hi, my love." His thumb strokes over my knuckles. "You're stunning."
"You're hot."
He chuckles and gives me a look that promises I'll be seeing a lot more of his hotness later tonight.
The officiant starts talking, but I barely hear him. I'm too busy memorizing the moment. The way I feel, how Aleksandr looks, the summer air… everything.
When it's time for vows, Aleksandr's voice is steady and sure. "I promise to love you, protect you, and never take a single day with you for granted. You saved my life in that cabin, Lena. But more than that, you saved me from myself."
My throat gets tight. "I promise to love all of you. The Pakhan and the man from the cabin. The parts you show the world and the parts you only show me. You're mine, Aleksandr, and I'm never letting you go."
"I'm counting on it," he murmurs, low enough that only I hear.
When the officiant pronounces us married, Aleksandr pulls me in and kisses me like we're the only two people here. It's possessive and tender and makes my toes curl in my shoes. Someone whoops. Probably Danil.
The reception is a blur of champagne and laughter and people I barely know congratulating us. John Davis shows up looking uncomfortable in a suit, but he shakes Aleksandr's hand and tells me I look lovely. He's become an unlikely friend over the past months, consulting on security matters and occasionally joining us for dinner.
"Never thought I'd be at a Mob wedding," he mutters, accepting a glass of champagne.
"Never thought I'd be in one," I reply.
Halfway through dinner, Danil approaches our table with a look on his face that makes my stomach drop. He leans down between us, his voice low.
"Got a wedding present for you both."
Aleksandr's hand tightens on his fork. "What kind of present?"
"The kind that ties up loose ends." Danil's grin is sharp. "We found Katya."
My breath catches. We've been looking for her for months. She disappeared like smoke, and part of me wondered if we'd ever get closure.
"And?" Aleksandr's voice is dangerously soft.
"She pissed off a lot of people, apparently. By the time we tracked her down, someone else had already handled it. Execution style. Single shot to the head."
I should feel something. Relief, maybe. Or vindication. Instead, I just feel tired. "Good."
Aleksandr looks at me, searching my face. "You're sure?"
"I'm sure." I lean into him. "She made her choices. Now we get to make ours."
Danil claps Aleksandr on the shoulder. "Congratulations, Boss. You deserve this."
After he walks away, Aleksandr pulls me onto the dance floor. The quartet plays something slow and romantic, and he wraps his arms around me like he's afraid I'll disappear.
"I love you," he whispers against my ear, his breath warm. "You saved me in more ways than pulling me from the snow. Everyday with you is a gift I don't deserve, but I'll never take it for granted." He nips my earlobe. "But I'll deny it if you tell anyone I said that."
My eyes sting, but I smile so big that my mouth aches. "I love you too."
He kisses me then, soft and sweet, and I taste champagne and promises on his lips.
Hours later, after the last guests have departed and the estate has finally gone quiet, we stand on the balcony of our bedroom. Nikolai is asleep in the nursery down the hall, probably dreaming baby dreams about milk and toys. My parents are settled in their suite on the third floor, safe and cared for.