Chapter 71 Epilogue 2
One Year Later
Anushka's P.O.V.
I look at myself in the full-length mirror and smile. I met Jordan eighteen months ago, and he adopted Dakota a year ago. Now we are finally getting married.
The past year has been a whirlwind. Both of our businesses are thriving, and our families are growing. Yurkov and Corrine are expecting a daughter in a couple of months. My other four brothers have calmed down and are all dating women I approve of. Yes, they asked for my and Dakota's approval.
I turn to look at the other two women. Courtney and Dina are also getting married today. We decided to do it together, just like we did with the adoptions. Another thing we all did unplanned was get pregnant. The three of us have small, matching baby bumps. We're due in six months, within weeks of each other. As I said, this past year has been a whirlwind.
"You two look so beautiful," I say as we stand together. Our dresses are all white, but they're slightly different in style. We are proudly showing off our small baby bumps.
"You both look like princesses. I feel like a troll." Dina says as she runs her hand over the front of her dress. Her dark brown hair is in a twist with curls framing her face. She looks stunning. I put my arms around both of them.
"I love you both so much. Do you think our guys know how lucky they are?" I ask them. We all laugh and turn when we hear someone at the door. It's my dad, Kozar, and Victor. They're here to walk us down the aisle.
"I think they know what they have. That's why they're out there looking like they're terrified you three are going to suddenly stand them up." My dad says as he kisses us each on the cheek. Courtney and Dina have no family, so he's taken everyone into the family fold.
"Is everyone ready?" I ask him. We're having the weddings at the compound. Tyler and Noah are the ring bearers, and Dakota and Sarah are the flower girls. We will say our vows outside, where an aisle has been made wide enough for us all to walk down together.
"Dakota has everyone in place. Santino just got here." I smile at my dad. He and Santino have made their peace. Santino is the only one from his family allowed around us or in the compound. As much as we trust him, we don't trust the rest of them. Dakota walks in with the other three kids. Noah has grown so much and will start kindergarten in the fall.
"Are you ready? Daddy, Gavin, and Bobby look scared," she says, laughing.
"Yes, we're ready," I reply. Noah and Tyler are wearing little black tuxes. Dakota and Sarah are wearing matching green dresses with bows in their hair.
Dakota gets everyone lined up, and then the music starts. As we leave the house and walk down the aisle, I look at the few people we have as guests. We wanted to keep it small, and everyone respected our wishes. Courtney, Dina, and I laugh slightly when we see our men all relax as soon as they see us. None of us wrote our vows. Instead, we decided to go with the traditional vows.
When I reach Jordan, it feels like everyone else fades away. He has completely changed my life and Dakota's. I love him so much, and it still excites me to see how much he loves me. As we say our vows, we look into each other's eyes. When the pastor says to kiss the bride, my tears start falling. He had made all of my dreams come true. Jordan takes me in his arms and kisses me hard while everyone cheers. Dakota runs to us when he pulls away, and Jordan lifts her so we can share a family hug.
I look at my dad sitting next to Santino, and they both have tears streaming down their cheeks. When they see me, I'm sure they see my mother. If two of the biggest mafia bosses can become civil to each other because of a woman they both loved, it just shows you that the power of a woman makes the world go round.
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Twelve Years Later
Dakota’s P.O.V.
You would think that at eighteen, I wouldn't be as excited about a family birthday party at the compound as I was when I turned five, but I am. I love it when we can get together as a family. This birthday is bittersweet, though. Grandpa Sandy died a few months ago, and this will be my first birthday without him. It was the one time of the year he and Grandpa Chrissy would pretend to be friends to make me happy.
I run my fingers through my long hair and put on light makeup. Everyone says I look just like my mom, and I have to agree. We have the same blonde hair and blue eyes. I'm just shorter than she is.
"Are you ready?" Mom asks, coming in to give me a hug. I look at us standing side-by-side in the mirror. She seems more like my older sister than my mom.
"Yep." We leave my room, and my siblings are waiting in the living room. Ashton, who is twelve, looks bored. Devon is nine, and Khloe is seven. They are both as excited about going as I am.
When we pull up to the compound, Grandpa Chrissy is waiting for us. As I run to him, he frowns. When I turn to see what he's looking at, I see a black car with tinted windows parked behind my family's SUV. I watch in horror as the back window goes down, and the end of a gun appears. I look at my parents and siblings, who are closest to the car.
"Get down!" I scream at them. They don't hesitate to do as I say.
Everything begins moving in slow motion as I'm shoved to the ground just as three shots are fired. The car quickly backs out of the driveway as Grandpa's men come from every direction, shooting at it. I look around to see if anyone was hit and scream when I see Grandpa Chrissy isn't moving. I crawl to his side and get flashbacks of when my mom was shot. Blood is pouring from his chest all over the driveway.
"Nooooooo! Grandpa, please open your eyes!" I scream as people run out of the house. My mom and dad come to my side as Aunt Courtney checks his pulse and shakes her head.
"He's gone," she says. I scream again as I throw myself on top of him, sobbing. He died saving me. I don't care what I have to do. The person who did this will pay. People think my family is bad, but they haven't seen anything yet. I will get my revenge.
Dakota the Mafia Queen will begin right after this story, so keep scrolling to continue reading. 😀