Chapter 119 Chapter 119 The Wedding
Looking myself over one last time in the mirror, I feel exposed. This dress barely covers me. The light pink silk is so delicate, flowing over me like water. The fabric drapes over my neck and down my chest in two loose pieces. My entire back is bare, the three roses on my lower back fully visible. A slit runs all the way up to my left hip. The necklace Gemma gifted me rests against my skin, dropping between my breasts, caging a diamond in a small pyramid. My hair falls in loose waves over my shoulders, my makeup soft and light. I feel incredible—but vulnerable.
I step out of the bathroom. Dragon is sitting on the bench at the foot of the bed, putting on his dress shoes. He looks dangerously good in his tux. He lifts his head, sees me, and lets out a low whistle, his eyes going wide.
“Wow. Gemma knew exactly what she was doing. Fuck, babe… you look—” he pauses, grinning, “—to die for.”
He stands quickly, closing the distance between us. His lips meet mine, his hands gliding over my body, barely touching, just enough to spark heat under my skin. Then we pull apart and head out. I cannot be late.
We park at Desert Oasis Golf Course. It’s about a forty-minute drive to the south side of Vegas. The place is stunning—massive, elegant, the kind of venue that rivals the convention centers in town. We had rehearsal yesterday morning. Walking next to Sergey, brushing against him… it still stings.
Dragon offers me his hand as I step out of the car, and we walk toward the entrance together. A large group of Russian-speaking men stand outside, smoke curling above them in thick clouds.
Then I hear it—a sharp whistle as we step onto the sidewalk.
Alek parts the crowd like he owns the place.
“Please tell me you’re my wedding present,” he grins, one hand resting on Sergey’s shoulder. Ivan and my cousin step forward behind them. Cigarettes hang from lips and fingers everywhere.
“Aleksandr,” I say, rolling my eyes.
He switches to Russian instantly. “Don’t say my name like that on my wedding day. You know what it does to me,” he laughs.
I step closer, grabbing his tux lapels. “You’re an idiot. You know you got the better one of us,” I tease, smiling up at him.
The group snickers behind him.
“I’d bend you over so fast,” he mutters. “Having you and Gemma… fuck, doesn’t that sound good?”
“It’s really good having them both,” Dragon says from behind me—in Russian.
Laughter explodes through the group. I turn to look at him, and he just winks. God, I’m glad he’s in a good mood… even if Alek isn’t joking at all.
Dragon stays outside with the guys while I head inside, making my way to the bridal suite. I push the door open to find Gemma sitting at a vanity, her mother and grandmother fussing over her. She turns, sees me, and breaks into a huge smile.
“Gemma… you look stunning,” I say, my eyes already filling.
Her gown fades from soft pink at the bottom into pure white. The skirt is full and layered, the bodice tight, hugging her curves perfectly, her back completely bare. Her skin glows, her hair swept up into a messy, beautiful bun, her veil already in place.
Then the door bursts open. Tish and Erika walk in, wearing dresses like mine—Tish in yellow, Erika in green.
“We look like the hottest Easter eggs ever,” Erika laughs.
We all crowd together, hugging carefully, trying not to crush Gemma’s dress. Mrs. Miller hands out tissues so we can dab away tears before they ruin our makeup.
We follow her mom out of the suite, forming a line—Erika, Tish, then me. Her grandmother hands us each a bouquet of pink roses. We pause just before the doors. Beyond them, rows of white chairs stretch across perfectly manicured grass. At the end, hedges are shaped into a giant heart.
I take a deep breath.
As I exhale, the men join us.
Sergey steps beside me, offering his elbow. Alek stands behind us, laughing quietly. We both glance back at him.
“You two look good together,” he says.
I roll my eyes. Sergey is a closed chapter—sealed, glued shut, never to be reopened.
Sergey looks at me. “You look beautiful.” His fingers brush my cheek as he leans closer.
I pull back immediately. “I don’t cheat on the men I love. You’re married, Sergey. We’re done.”
Erika and her groomsman walk out. Then Tish and hers. Three beats later, it’s our turn.
“I will always love you,” Sergey murmurs as we step outside.
I hesitate—but only for a second. Then I whisper, so quietly only he can hear, “So will I.”
It’s the truth. I’ll always care about him. We’ll never be anything again—but the memories, the history… they don’t just disappear.
He hesitates before letting me go at the altar. I pull away. Alek steps into place beside him. For a moment, both of them stare at me, eyes wide, like they just heard something they weren’t supposed to.
Then the music starts.
We all turn forward.
Gemma steps out, radiant, breathtaking.
I see Alek tear up, and I can’t help but smile. He’s one lucky son of a bitch.
Her father walks her down the aisle, placing her hand in Alek’s. As she reaches us, she passes me her bouquet.
And for just a second, my eyes meet Sergey’s again.I look past him and spot Dragon. He smiles at me, and I smile right back. Sergey turns, like he didn’t realize who I was looking at. Dragon is sitting between Ivan and Stanislav. I try—and fail—not to meet Ivan’s eyes.
For the first time in a long while, he gives me that dimpled grin. It throws me off. I turn my attention back to Gemma and Alek as they begin their vows. They’re sweet—softer than I expected. I didn’t know Alek had it in him to be this polished, this sincere.
Rings slide onto fingers, hands trembling just slightly.
Then the kiss.
Alek dips her so low it pulls a laugh from the crowd.
God… weddings always stir something up inside me. I hate this feeling.