too much credit.”
I smile. “I’m not getting cold feet. I’ve never been more sure of anything.”
“I know,” Aida says, hugging me. “Come on. Cal’s got your coat.”
I walk across the main floor toward the back door.
We’re in Mikolaj’s house. We’re going to be married out in his garden. It doesn’t matter that it’s February—I couldn’t marry him anywhere but here, under the dark, bare branches, beneath a wide-open sky.
My brother wraps the thick white cloak around my shoulders. It trails behind me, as long as the train of my dress.
I step out into the garden and cross the grass.
I don’t feel the cold at all. The snow is drifting down, thick and soft. It makes the garden utterly quiet, muffling any sounds from outside the high stone walls.
My family is waiting for me, along with a dozen of Mikolaj’s men. I see Klara standing next to Marcel, smiling excitedly. She’s wearing the black gown from the attic, underneath a long coat, and she looks absolutely gorgeous.
Mikolaj waits for me beneath the archway of an empty trellis. He’s wearing a simple black suit, his hair combed back. He looks slim and stark, and impossibly handsome. My heart flutters like a bird at the sight of him.
As soon as I reach him, he takes my hands in his.
There’s no priest or minister. My parents hate that we’re not doing this in a Catholic Church, but Miko isn’t religious, and I don’t want anyone to say our vows but us. Mikolaj and I are marrying each other because we want to, for no other reason and under no one else’s authority.
Miko holds my hands tight and looks down into my eyes.
“Nessa, I’ll love you every second of my life. I’ll love you for exactly what you are, and whatever you become. Anything you want, I’ll make it happen for you. I’ll never hold you back. I’ll always tell you the truth. I’ll keep you safe and happy, at any cost.”
I swallow hard, not knowing if I can make myself speak. My throat is tight with too much emotion.
“Mikolaj, I love you with all my heart. I promise, you’ll be the only man in the world to me. I’ll be your lover and your best friend. We’ll do the hard things and the fun things. We’ll make our choices together, for the good of us both. I’ll always put you before anything else, so that nothing can come between us.”
I give one last quick glance over at my parents. I’m letting go of their approval, their influence. I meant what I said—Mikolaj is my priority now.
Still, I’m glad to see they’re smiling at me, at least a little. They want me to be happy.
I look back at Mikolaj and I am happy. Fully and completely.
He pulls me into a kiss and the rest of the world disappears.
We’re creating a new world now, with us at the center.
* * *
The End
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Brutal Birthright Book 2: Stolen Heir
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Nero is reckless, vicious, and deeply damaged… Who can tame this Savage Lover?
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Callum Griffin is no Prince Charming… He’s ruthless, arrogant, and heir to the Irish Mafia. After I set a (very small) fire in his house, I was forced into a marriage pact to prevent all-out warfare. But even if I'm trapped with this man until the end of my life, I will never love a Brutal Prince.
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“Colors of Crime ” is an action-packed, supremely sexy romance series, full of thieves, detectives, mafia princesses, and Bratva bad boys. Each book is a stand-alone and can be read independently. However, if you read in order, you’ll find hidden connections to make the story even more fun. There’s no cheating or cliff hangers, but there are definitely some spicy scenes, including rough sex and spanking.
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Sophie lives with her husband, two boys, and baby girl in the Rocky Mountain West. She writes intense, intelligent romance, with heroines who are strong and capable, and men who will do anything to capture their hearts.
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