Ana
“Keep it down, baby,” Cassio says, lips hot against my ear. “You don’t want everyone here to know what we’re doing behind this tree, do you?”
“I can’t help it,” I whine, rocking back against his thrusts. “It feels so good raw.”
My husband getting a vasectomy a few months back has been a game changer for our sex life. I’m addicted to feeling him without a barrier, and he’s addicted to stuffing my cunt full of his cum.
“Naughty girl,” he hisses, teeth nipping at the side of my neck. “Getting off on your man’s bare cock while all of our friends and family are within yelling distance. Getting bent over a tree on Empire Academy grounds, no less.”
Yeah, I’m letting my husband hit it outside while a whole crew of people finish setting up for my best friend’s wedding. Sue me.
“I’m close,” I whimper, thighs starting to shake.
Cassio groans, digging his fingers into the muscle of my ass. “Rub your clit under your dress. I want you to keep quiet and come for me. That’s it, good girl.”
My eyes roll back, fingers trembling around my clit while Cassio continues to pound into me from behind.
“There you go,” he rumbles. “Fuck, you take it so good, Wife. Let go. Come on, baby. Come for me.”
I choke back a scream, and walls tighten around his thick cock in a fluttering pulse. Cassio’s hips buck hard three more times before he unloads. His final thrust shakes as warm liquid floods my pussy.
“So are we adding semi-public sex to your list of growing kinks?”
“Definitely,” I breathe.
Cassio pushes my knickers back into place, lightly tapping my cunt. “You walking around all these people, full of my fucking cum, that’s on the list too?”
“I can neither confirm nor deny,” I quip teasingly.
Cassio huffs at me, giving me a headed kiss before lightly smacking my ass. “Let’s go maid of honor, the sooner we get this thing going, the sooner I have you back on my cock.”
“You are insatiable today.”
“You make it hard not to be.”
Before I know it, it’s ceremony time. Despite the gorgeous and expansive setting that the ruins garden at Empire provides, Jade and Dmitri decided to keep their traditional wedding party small. The front row on either side of the aisle are filled with their families, but they each only have one person standing in front of the crowd with them.
And incredibly, I’m one of the two.
Soft music floating around the mossy green setting cues the beginning of the proceedings. I hold my breath as I take my place, standing out of view at the end of the trail. Dmitri is already standing at the altar in his tuxedo, an arch of greenery framing him from above.
Ivan goes first, walking down the white rose petal aisle while holding Cesar. The squirmy one-year-old baby flaunts his little ring bearer box like it’s the most amazing treasure, waving at the audience. There are a few chuckles, but mostly a collection of feminine coos.
With Isobella tucked against my hip, I walk slowly, helping her toss tiny handfuls of flower petals to the ground. When she tries to stuff some in her mouth, I catch her hand just in time. Ivan hands Cesar off to Apollo, and I pass Isobella to Matteo’s waiting arms before taking my place.
Tears prick in my eyes as the music shifts and a flurry of white fabric catches my attention. Jade ended up falling in love with a pure white, silk ball gown with a corset back. It fits her incredibly well, and she looks absolutely gorgeous with her long brown curls styled to perfection.
Arm and arm with a tuxedo clad Dante, she walks down the path, emotion welling up in her eyes. From the corner of my eye, I see Dmitri’s fist clench, like he’s fighting off the urge to get choked up.
I see the love between them clear as day as Dad gives Jade’s hand to her husband, sharing a thoughtful look with the man. They may have been technically married for over a year now, but Dante will always treat Jade like his little girl. He missed out on too much to not be overprotective where she’s concerned.
The ceremony goes off without a hitch, and the reception is now in full swing. It’s time for the thing I’ve been anticipating the most. My maid of honor speech. Public speaking isn’t my favorite thing, but Jade asked, and I could hardly deny her on her big day.
“Hello, everyone. If we haven’t been introduced, I’m Ana Moretti—our lovely bride’s sister,” I start, holding the microphone tightly so that it doesn’t slip from my clammy hands.
Cassio catches my attention in the crowd at our table and offers an encouraging smile.
“When I first met Jade, I told her I didn’t want to be friends.” A confused murmur breaks out and I huff good-naturedly. “Yeah, I know. Something you’ll learn about me, I’m a tad wary and untrusting of new people. I’m sure plenty of you can relate.”
A good number of guests chuckle and I breathe a little easier.
“I couldn’t open myself up to a friendship with someone new at Empire, telling her that true bonds were forged in the real world, where actions could have consequences. But after we left the island, and only a few days into getting to know Jade Moretti, I knew no consequences would be necessary.”
I watch as Jade clutches her heart, listening with undivided attention.
“Jade ended up being one of the most beautiful, selfless, kind-hearted, and loving people I have the pleasure of knowing.”
Keep it together, Ana. Don’t get emotional.
“I never wanted a sibling growing up,” I admit. “I enjoyed being spoiled, and existing in my own little world. But being Jade’s friend, and now her family, I can’t imagine living any other way.”
“I love you!” Jade calls out.
The Morettis surrounding her laugh, and so do I.
“I love you too,” I reply, straightening my shoulders before continuing with my planned speech. “Speaking of love… I have to say that I couldn’t be happier with Jade’s choice in husband.”
Dmitri pats my friend’s hand as she grabs it, like she can’t wait to hear what I have to say about the man she loves so deeply.
“I knew that I liked Dmitri for Jade as soon as I saw her smile at him, but I knew that Dmitri was a truly good man when I first saw him with his children. Cesar and Isobella are a testament to the undeniable love shared by these two incredible people.
“My brother Killian once told me that a good man has happy children—that a good man’s family fuels him. A good man does everything in his power to provide, protect, and preserve the lives of the people he cares for. I can say without question that Dmitri Morozov is a good man, and I couldn’t have asked for a better match for my best friend.”
A round of clapping allows me to pause, checking my index card. I memorized my lines already, of course, but it’s a comfort to hold a reminder when doing something so important.
“After marrying Cassio, I knew things with Jade could change,” I carry on lightly. “We weren’t going to be just friends who texted every day and visited when they could anymore. We were going to be sisters.”
I catch Cassio smiling, and breathe easier.
“And since I’d never had a sister before, I wanted to make sure that our new relationship remained as true as our friendship. So, in true neurotic fashion, I made a list of things we have in common. I needed to assure myself that there would always be things for us to bond over, even if we were apart. And if you all don’t mind, I’d like to read you some of what I came up with—”
There’s a loud cheer, most of which can be traced to the Moretti siblings.
I chuckle, feeling nervous but happy to share. “Well, if you insist…”
Taking a deep breath, I find my center in Cassio’s eyes. Just one look at that man and I feel like I’m on top of the world.
“We’re both brunettes,” I note first, smiling as the crowd titters in response. “We value the same things—namely kindness, honesty, strength, family, and trust. We’ve both secretly developed an obsession for zombie films after Matteo’s insistence upon them.”
I hear the youngest Moretti brother’s burst of laughter in response, and grin as I continue, “Neither of us enjoy music older than the seventies, we both detest Brussels sprouts, and we’d both rather spend a day in the house with family than go out. Not to mention our shared appreciation for our half-dressed husbands post work-out.”
Jade’s face flushes, and I snicker at the collective groan of our brothers.
Steering away from the humor, I take a deep breath. “But most notably, the thing Jade and I have in common is that Dante Moretti saved us,” I say, choking back the emotion creeping up my throat and looking at the man in question. “He knew neither of us well enough to do the incredible things he did, and yet he leapt at the chance to take care of us both. For Jade, because she was his blood. He knew it as soon as he saw her. And for me, simply because his daughter called me her friend.”
Do not cry, do not cry, do not cry.
“The world knows Dante Moretti as a ruthless Capo. An Italian man with a long legacy and immense power, a man known for greatness and strength. He is, of course, all of these things. But Dante’s greatest strength isn’t the men he has at his back, it isn’t the money in his bank, or the countless connections he’s forged in blood and gold. It’s his unflinching ability to take care of his own. Dante Moretti is first and foremost, a father of the utmost excellence.”
My lips tremble as I look at him, the man who’s come to be a true father to me. “He takes care of his children. He didn’t just mold his boys into men, he showed them love, tenderness, and respect in a world that is full of the opposite. Through Dante, Jade and I both gained not only a father, but a force of brothers to guide and protect us. We found friendship in each other and in them, we found our husbands—even if Jade wasn’t supposed to be looking for one of those.”
Dmitri smirks, holding back a laugh.
“I apologize that this speech has gone a bit long,” I note with a nervous smile. “I just couldn’t possibly say what Jade means to me—what this family means to me—in only a few short lines. So, I’d like to propose a toast, not only to the happy couple, but to the Moretti-Morozov families. I can’t wait to share the rest of this life with all of you.”
Jade thrusts her glass into the air.
“Cheers,” I say, tipping my champagne toward her.
“Cheers,” the crowd echoes.
I excuse myself and take a few centering breaths.
That went really well, I think.
Before I can rush off to find Cassio and demand he be honest about my performance, I come across the most adorable sight.
Anatoly is holding Isobella while she tries not to doze off on his chest. She’s tired from such an exciting day, the poor thing. I’m sure someone will take her to bed soon, probably Melani and Emilio when they take Mila up. And little Leo is practically glued to the guard’s side, fisting his pant leg into his small hand and leaning against the solid man.
“Awww, Anatoly,” I gush, getting a fierce case of cuteness aggression. I just want to squeeze something small and fluffy, but settle for getting closer to the adorable sight. “Leo has had a lot of trouble with men, especially large ones. I’m so happy that he likes you!”
The big guy flushes a bit and shrugs a shoulder, trying to remain nonchalant. “He sees small baby girl safe in my arms. He knows I am not a threat if little baby Isobella does not cry while I hold.”
“Toly,” Leo babbles, tugging his pant leg.
“Oh my gosh.” I clutch my chest and breathe out. “He calls you Toly, that is absolutely precious.”
“Name is mouthful, not easy for small child,” he replies with another shrug. Anatoly is a tough nut to crack, always so kind but so distant. I can’t complain though, he’d push a moving train off its track if it meant keeping my niece and nephew safe.
“Any chance you have an Italian twin?” Leon inquires, joining our small group. “We could use a trustworthy guard around the house but Leo here is still struggling with English.”
“Da, da, da,” Leo says excitedly, rushing to his adoptive father’s side. “Toly, baby.”
“Yes, Anatoly is holding the baby, very good,” Leon says right before repeating the same sentence in Italian for his son. Leo smiles bright in response and tucks himself into the side of Leon’s legs.
“So, no brother?” Leon asks with a chuckle. “And I doubt I could bribe you away from Jade and Dmitri—”
“Not on your life, Brother,” Jade cuts in, still glowing from the joy of the day. “You’d have to pull Anatoly out of my cold dead hands; he’s family now. But if you want a quality guard, I bet Apollo can find you one that he trusts.”
“Apollo can do anything,” I agree with a bright smile.
“And he wants us all to know it,” Leon comments, a bit of bitterness in his tone, but it’s mostly teasing. “I’ll work with him on it. Having two boys running around now is going to be a lot.”
“Are Bastian and Leon getting along?” Jade asks, softly pinching Isobella’s little cheeks.
“As well as brothers get along at their age,” he replies, smiling. “They love each other for most of the day and have some little spats here and there. Reminds me of me and Cassio growing up.”
“So Bastian is hiding Leo in closets?” my husband inquires, sliding a hand to the small of my back.
Leon snorts. “You’re never going to let that go, are you?”
“Never,” Cassio agrees. “Don’t hold your breath on that one.”
“Brothers,” Jade huffs. “Such drama queens.”
And we wouldn’t have it any other way.
