Chapter 221
NIKOLAI’S POV
“Prepare yourself, there is a ceremony I want you to attend with me.”
Alessandro spoke flatly as he crossed the foyer and headed toward his home office. “I don’t want to go anywhere, I snorted, slumping back in
the couch.
He paused in the doorway and glanced over his shoulder. “That wasn’t a question, Nikolai,” he said, his words cool. “Wear something appropriate, we leaving so soon.” There was no arguing with that tone.
Within hours, I found myself buttoning my dark suit, still wondering what kind of business event or maybe some strange mafia gathering, he was dragging me into.
The car ride to the venue was silent but not uncomfortable. Alessandro’s hand rested on my knee, his thumb tracing idle circles against the fabric of my trousers. He didn’t explain, and I didn’t ask until when we reached.
Inside, the hall was enormous. As usual, people… important people filled every corner, the hum of their voices like a tide rising and falling. I recognized men from the Cosa Nostra, sharp–suited lieutenants, even some people I’d only seen in news.
My pulse raced.
“Alessandro…” I began, stepping closer to him, but his hand closed around mine
“Come on…” he just said and pulled me along with him. He pulled me to the middle of the enormous hall. “May I have your attention?”
The chatter died down as Alessandro’s deep voice resounded in the room, and the music faded into the background. Everyone looked at us and then his arm circled more around me.
“Thank you for coming today. I have an important announcement to make, the one I should have made long ago. Two years ago, I got married…” he looked over to me, a hint of a smile pulled at his lips. “to the man of my dreams,” he looked back at everyone and laughed.
“It’s not be Salvatore, It can never be her.”
All I heard in return were cheers, the sound of mixed chuckles, and a few gasps. I think his entire Cosa Nostra, his business partners, and his all of his family were present in the room.
Alessandro pulled me to his side, “I got married to this handsome man, Mr. Nikolai De Luca. We got married in private and I never got the chance to introduce this wonderful man to you all.”
A waiter brought out a champagne bottle and poured two flutes glasses with it, he handed one to Alessandro and one to me. Then I noticed that everyone’s drinks were being swiped with a glass of champagne, and the waiters all around the hall poured the champagne for people.
Alessandro raised the champagne glass in the air.
“Everyone, please, raise glass for my handsome husband and the king of the Cosa Nostra“,
Respect – this is what it was. He was giving me respect in front of every single person who ever knew him.
“To Nikolai!” a loud chant resounded in the hall.
I shrunk away in Alessandro’s hold, melted against him. My cheeks heated up, I was flushed, I took a big sip of the champagne to calm the nerves and the giddiness.”
Goosebumps rose over my skin as Alessandro gazed at me once more and pressed his lips to mine.
Chapter 221
I think I am about to faint.
“You didn’t have to… my voice was barely above a whisper.
“I wanted to… I wanted everyone to know that you’re Don Alessandro’s husband and you are entitled to their respect and honor,” he kissed the tip of my nose and then faced the room once more.
“You can all go with the party“, He spoke then turned to me.
“Come with me,” he whispered.
I looked at him from over my shoulder and he offered me his elbow. I intertwined our arms and Alessandro pulled me out of the back door of the hall, leaving the party.
A cool breeze clung to my skin. I smiled to myself. “Are you ditching the party?”
“For a while…”
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