Page 77 of Shutter and Sin
“I won’t.”
“And Taras?”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you.”
He just nods, his face turning that familiar shade of red.
“See you soon, big guy.”
Chapter 24
Alexei
Breathe in, breathe out.
Getting married to Zoya today is nerve-racking, and I don’t know what to do with my hands. I look at myself in the full-length mirror, adjusting my Armani suit for the hundredth time. The jacket fits perfectly, and the tie is straight, but I still feel like I’m about to jump out of my skin.
The door opens behind me.
“Well, well, well. It seems you actually want to be tied down,” Bohdan muses as he looks me over.
“Zip it. Do you want me to find a new best man?” I reply snarkily, but a smile blooms on my face anyway.
He chuckles and claps me on the shoulder. “My good friend, just make sure she’s as happy as possible.”
“I will,” I say firmly. “Always.”
“Good. Because if you fuck this up, I’m stealing her for myself.”
“You’re married with three kids, Bohdan.”
“Minor details.” He laughs, but then his face turns serious. “I’ve known you since we were fifteen, Alexei. I’ve never seen you like this with anyone. She’s good for you.”
I look at him - Bohdan Volkov, my oldest friend and the only person besides Zoya I actually trust. We survived our fathers’ brutality and built our empires side by side. “How are the kids?” I ask.
“Loud, exhausting, and perfect.” His face softens. “Larisa wants to know when you and Zoya will give her cousins to play with.”
“Tell your wife to be patient.”
“You know she won’t be.” He walks to the window, looking out at the garden. “Speaking of cousins…”
I join him at the window and look down into the garden. And I immediately burst out laughing. Taras is in the garden with Anya, holding her phone and taking photos from different angles while she poses. When she’s satisfied, she hands him her champagne glass and her extra heels. He’s carrying her things like an obedient puppy.
“Is he seriously holding her clutch, too?” Bohdan asks, squinting.
“Yes. Yes, he is.”
We watch Taras crouch down to get a better angle for her. He’s always been shy and awkward, but now he looks completely whipped. “I’ve never seen him like this,” I say. “He’s always been the awkward one. Now look at him.”
“He looks happy,” Bohdan observes.
He’s right. Taras has a goofy smile on his face while Anya bosses him around.
“She’s got him completely whipped,” I say.
“Good for him,” Bohdan says. “Every man should be whipped by a good woman. Look at us - you’re acting like a lovesick fool, and I haven’t won an argument with Larisa in eight years.”
