Dancing for the Devil – Extended Epilogue
Alexei, One year later
Nora left me on the night before our wedding.
“It’s tradition! The bride and groom are not supposed to spend the last night before the wedding together.”
“Or what?” I asked bitterly.
“Or the marriage won’t last. You want the marriage to last, right?”
I had no choice but to sigh in resignation and watch as she packed an overnight bag and headed over to her grandmother’s cottage. The wedding dress was already there. All the fittings and whatnot had been done at the cottage as it was also bad luck to see the bride’s dress.
I had no idea that Nora was so superstitious.
I had been left all alone in my big empty house with no one but Snoop Dogg and Bow Wow for company. The German shepherds were meant to be guarding the compound, but they seemed to sense my loneliness, so they hung around me, trying to take advantage of my weakness to get snacks. Snoop in particular was so crafty, rubbing his head against my arm and then putting it in my lap like he was so fucking sad for me.
As soon as I gave them treats however, they ran off. Nora would laugh at me if she knew.
I sat on the lounge chairs by the pool, watching the dogs frolic instead of keeping guard on the compound, when a blonde ponytail entered my vision. Katya.
“Aw, you look so sad. Missing your booboo?” she said, holding a hand behind her back.
I wrinkled my nose. “Whoever taught you to speak like that should be shot.”
“It was Nora actually. So now what are you gonna do?” She stuck her tongue out at me, grinning triumphantly.
I rolled my eyes. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to throw you a bachelor party.”
I snorted. “Why?”
“Because you’re my brother and nobody else will.” She brought out the hand she’d been hiding behind her held up a bottle with clear liquid. “I even brought cheap vodka so we can drink and make toasts to Mother Russia.”
I laughed, patting the space beside me. “Sit then and let us get moderately wasted. But not too much because I don’t want to be hungover on my wedding day.”
Katya sat down beside me. “Yeah, God forbid that happens.” She uncapped the bottle and took a swig, before passing it to me.
I drank it down and then grimaced. “You weren’t kidding about it being cheap vodka.”
“That’s the best kind!” she protested.
I huffed, shaking my head. We drank companionably. I could see that the cottage lights were still on from my perch. “What do you suppose they’re doing?”
Katya laughed. “Hell if I know. Trying on the dress? Sewing baby jumpers?”
I grimaced. “Ugh, no. Too soon.”
“Just wait, you’ll have rugrats running around in no time.”
I shuddered. “God forbid.”
“Don’t you want kids?”
“Not right now, thanks.”
“Come on… you’re in love with a woman who loves you back. Why not?”
I peered inquisitively at her. “You that eager to be an aunt? Why do you have such a bee in your bonnet about this?”
“I don’t know. It’s just a nice notion. A family, complete.”
I squinted at her. “Is that what you want? To have a family?”
She blushed. “We’re not talking about me.”
“Aren’t we?”
She looked away.
“Come on Kat, tell me who it is.”
“It is no one. Mind your business.”
“Hmm, fine. Keep your secrets. When Nora does get pregnant I won’t tell you until she’s showing.”
She grinned. “I’m gutted.”
We lay back together on the lounge, swapping the bottle of vodka. Katya looked around. “I’m surprised Vlad isn’t here, making sure we don’t get too drunk and careless.”
I smiled. “He decided to make it an early night since tomorrow’s such a big day. He decided to let the security boys earn their pay.”
“That’s nice of him.”
“Magnanimous.”
“More magnanimous than he’s been with you at least.” She grinned. “He really said, no courthouse wedding, and you guys just went along?”
“He was about to have a stroke. Flailing his arms talking about how exposed it was. There was no way it was going to work.” I laughed, shaking my head.
Vlad had pointed out to me at least five vantage points where a sniper might get us from the buildings surrounding the courthouse. His commitment to security was laudable.
“Nora will be working in the morning, you know, she didn’t want to take time off work.”
“What? How will that work?” Katya gaped at me.
“She should be done by noon.”
Katya sighed. “Anyway, what’s a wedding without a bit of drama?”
The justice of the peace arrived on time. Nora didn’t.
She texted me to say she’d been delayed but not to worry. Jodie had done her hair and make-up in the morgue.
Very reassuring.
As I stood in front of the mirror, straightening my tie, I could hear the soundcheck going on. Nora wanted to walk down the aisle to Bruno Mars. Personally, I thought a song called ‘Marry You’ was a little too on the nose, but she’s sentimental like that.
There was a knock on the door and Katya came in, dressed in a beautiful powder blue tuxedo, a church hat on her head. Her hair hung down her back like a platinum curtain. She was a picture of grace and beauty.
“Ready?” she asked.
“Yeah. You got the rings?”
She patted her pockets and looked frantic. I narrowed my eyes at her, and she grinned at me. “Of course I have the rings.”
“Let’s go then.”
We went downstairs to the backyard where a tent had been erected, lined with decorated chairs. The theme was blue and gold, and everything looked great. My blue velvet suit brought out my coloring, and I knew it. I straightened my lapels. Katya and I both stood near the back door.
“Nora is changing now. She won’t be more than ten minutes,” Katya murmured.
“Mmh.” I was skeptical of this estimate, but I kept my thoughts to myself.
Twenty minutes later, she appeared. She was wearing a golden gown that kind of twisted around her body as if someone had wrapped her in it. It was strapless and hugged her figure at every point. Her hair was pulled up into an untidy knot and the only jewelry she wore was a choker of pearls and pearl earbobs.
She looked stunning.
“Damn,” I whispered.
Katya grinned. “Yeah, she cleans up real nice.”
Nora looked up at me and smiled. She was with her grandmother and Jodie, her arm through Carmen’s. They came to a stop beside me. “Hey,” she said shyly.
I looked her up and down. “Well… that was certainly worth the wait.”
She blushed prettily, clearing her throat. “We should get started.”
“Yes, we should.”
Just as I reached for her hand to lead her down the aisle, a black Daimler drove up the driveway. I paused, Katya and I exchanging glances. Vlad was already heading towards the car, hand on his holster.
“Who could it be?” I asked aloud.
Katya cleared her throat. “Well, actually, it’s someone who shouldn’t miss your wedding.”
I frowned, wondering if I was about to meet the mystery person she’d been so reticent about last night. The back door opened, and a six-inch heel-clad foot stepped out. I quirked an eyebrow when someone rose out of the seat to their full six-foot-two height—in heels. Her platinum blonde hair shone in the sunlight. She looked not a day older than the last time I’d seen her.
“Oh lord… Mother,” I murmured in horror.
“She didn’t want to miss your wedding.”
“It’s not safe for her to be here,” I protested.
“Well, technically, she’s not. Don’t worry, she won’t set off any red flags. I made sure of it.”
I looked bleakly at Katya. “How can she even want to see me?”
“You’re her firstborn. You know you were always the favorite.”
“That was a long time ago, Kat…”
“Ain’t no such thing as before. Now are you going to greet her or what?”
Nora squeezed my arm. “You should go.”
I took a deep shaky breath and walked toward her. She met me halfway, or rather, we collided. Her hug was so tight I couldn’t help but revel in it. She stepped back, looking at me with tears in her eyes. “Moy mal’chik.”
I blinked back tears. “Mama.”
“I’ve missed you.”
I shook my head. “I’ve missed you too.”
I remembered where we were and grabbed her arm. “Mama, come and meet my fiancée.” I pulled her over to Nora, “This is my love, Nora Young.”
“Nora.” My mother smiled. “I am so glad to meet you.”
She smiled tentatively. “You as well.”
I sent my mother off with Katya and turned back to Nora.
It occurred to me that I had never in my life been happier. “Let’s go and get you married,” I leaned in close and purred.
“Yes,” Nora smiled “Let’s.”
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A great story read it in a day
Thank you dear! ❤️
Loved this book so much. Loved all the twists and turns. Thank you for a very thrilling read.
Thank you so much dear! Did you like Katya?? Because her sequel comes out tomorrow! ❤️
Excellent story. I am glad they found her sister.
Thank you my dear Pamela ❤️ I’m so glad you enjoyed the story, and I’m thrilled they found her sister too. It was an important part of the journey! 🌹