Chapter 31
Gavril
It was done. The last words fell from Naomi’s lips, and I loosened a breath. I thought I had been nervous before, but today had been nerve-wracking for me, wondering if Naomi would actually realize what she was about to do and run.
Hell, I wouldn’t blame her. After everything I had done to her, she was still going to marry me.
The priest droned on, but I gripped her hands in mine, staring into her beautiful eyes like my life depended on it. Today I was fucking happy. The last few months, I had been fucking happy, and honestly, I was waiting on the hammer to fall and crash this perfect existence that had become my life. It was more than Naomi, though she was a huge part of this happiness inside me.
No, it was the rebuilding of my Bratva, the business ventures that I was taking on that actually were legit ones to make Naomi and our family proud. I wanted the Belaya name to be more than just a crime family.
I wanted it to be a legacy that would carry through the generations.
“You may now kiss the bride.”
I grinned and Naomi did as well, knowing this was the moment we had been waiting for. Releasing her hands, I slipped mine into her hair, cupping her nape gently. “I love you,” I whispered to her, not fucking caring who heard them. Sure, there would be rumors that the Pakhan of the Belaya Bratva was enamored with his wife.
What they didn’t know was that they wouldn’t be rumors at all. Loving Naomi didn’t make me weak.
“I love you,” she breathed right before my lips covered hers in a gentle kiss. Last night had been hell, being separated from her and spending the majority of my night drinking with Oleg. The brigadier was rapidly becoming a confidant of sorts for me, and while he could never replace the friendship I had experienced with Anatoly, he was going to be a man I could trust with my Bratva when the time came.
When we broke free, the small crowd cheered and clapped, coming forward to congratulate us. Ilsa was the first one to reach me, throwing her arms around me in a tight hug. “Congratulations,” she said, squeezing me tight. “Welcome to our family.”
“Thank you,” I murmured.
She patted my back before her eyes met mine and I saw steely resolve in them, reminding me of her husband. “If you fuck this up, Gavril Kirilenko, and destroy my best friend, I will make certain that you pay. You got me?”
I leaned forward until she could only hear my words. “I have no intention of ever causing Naomi pain again, but if I do, feel free to make me pay.” I wasn’t going to hurt her again. Hell, I wasn’t even over the fact that I had hurt her so much already, and despite what my wife said, I still owed her more than just an apology.
Ilsa laughed as my mother came up, grasping my hand in hers. “I’m happy for you,” she said, her expression softening. “Naomi is the woman that I have always wished for as a daughter-in-law.”
“She’s the woman who will put up with me,” I joked, unsure about my mother’s newfound caring attitude as of late. “You are welcome to stay in LA as long as you wish.” We hadn’t had much time to discuss the future, and while I knew that my sisters wanted to come to the States, I didn’t know about her.
“We will talk another time,” she answered, squeezing my hand.
So I let it go for now, accepting more congratulations from my sisters and Inessa before we all moved to the reception.
It wasn’t until I had Naomi in my arms, dancing under the setting sun, that I was able to breathe again. “Well?” she asked, her arms encircling my neck. “Was it what you had hoped for?”
I pressed my forehead to hers, breathing in her scent. “To be honest, I never thought I would have this.” Even with my decision to ask Katya to marry me, I hadn’t thought past that moment, to a wedding or even a life together.
“Gavril,” she breathed, emotion high in her voice. “You deserve this.”
She could keep telling me that, but I wasn’t so sure I could believe her. I deserved a lot, but this wasn’t one of the things on the list.
Hell, it wasn’t even on the fucking list. “Tell me again,” I rasped, tightening my hold on her.
Naomi lifted her head, tenderness in her eyes. “I love you, Gavril Kirilenko. I love you today, tomorrow, and forever.”
She had no idea what she did to me when she said those words. “I’m ready to go upstairs, wife,” I growled, wanting desperately to show her how much I loved her.
“Gavril,” she laughed, shaking her head. “We haven’t even cut the cake.”
Stupid fucking wedding traditions. “Then let’s go cut the fucking thing so I can get my hands on you,” I told her, nuzzling her neck. “Please.” A night away from her was long enough. I wanted to be buried inside her, to feel her around me, squeezing my cock as she begged for more. There were a thousand different ways I wanted to love her, none of them in front of a group of people.
Naomi gasped in my ear as I nipped her neck. “Gavril,” she breathed, her voice sending daggers to my already aching cock. “Yes, let’s go cut the cake.”
***