Bride by Initiation: Secret Society Mafia Marriage Pact (The Underworld Book 1)
Bride by Initiation: EPILOGUE

Three Months Later

Mom’s eyes glisten. She straightens out my bow tie, steps back, and smiles. ‘There. Perfect now.’

‘Thanks, Mom.’

She beams brighter, declaring, ‘I always thought you and Zara had something special.’

‘You did?’ I question.

She nods. ‘Sure. You two were always attached at the hip as kids. Then, when you got older, that magnetic pull was always still there.’

I arch my eyebrows. ‘You could see that?’

‘Of course. I’m your mother. Besides, you two were never good at hiding your flirting.’

I chuckle, then pull her in for a hug. ‘I’m sorry I didn’t do it right the first time.’

She hugs me back. ‘I forgive you.’ She retreats and warns, ‘But don’t pull a stunt like that ever again.‘

I chuckle again. ‘I won’t.’

Her face lights up more. ‘Good. Now that you’re going to be a father, you have to remember your little guy will watch your every move.’

More happiness fills me, mixed with a tiny bit of nerves. I can’t wait to meet my son. Yet I won’t lie and say I worry I won’t be as good of a father as my dad or Dante. Dante stepped into a paternal role when I was in high school, and he kept the bar high. So I have a lot to aim for with my kid.

There’s a knock on the door, and Dante booms, ‘They’re ready for you.’

My belly fills with butterflies, and I tell myself to calm down. I’m already married. Yet today feels even more important than our first marriage ceremony.

While we chose each other, neither of us would have considered ourselves ready for marriage. Today, the threat of death doesn’t loom over us. No one is forcing us to say our vows. It’s Zara and me recommitting to each other in front of everyone who matters to us.

Mom asks, ‘Are you ready?’

I puff my chest out. ‘I am.’

The three of us leave the room and walk down the hall. Dante opens the door, and we step out onto the roof.

It’s a new building complex the Ivanovs just finished developing. The stunning view showcases the best features of Chicago. Lake Michigan is on one side, and the bustling city is on the other.

When Zara and I were looking for a venue, Maksim told us to meet him here at sunset. One look at Zara gaping around, and I knew he was right. This was the perfect spot.

The Ivanovs graciously delayed the opening of the building for another few weeks, and transformed the rooftop into an even more spectacular setting.

In a few minutes, the sun will set, creating a vibrant glow around the city. Bright stars will twinkle over Lake Michigan. Outdoor lights already illuminate the perimeter. The best DJ in Chicago will play the list of songs Zara and I spent hours creating. Appetizers and dinner from Adrian Ivanov’s newest restaurant will be served. Wine and booze will flow all night, and I’ll dance with the only woman I’ve ever loved.

I take my place next to Brax, and he says, ‘If you need to run, my getaway car is waiting downstairs.’

I elbow him.

He chuckles. ‘Kidding.’

The music starts, and Fiona appears, wearing a black minidress and carrying a bouquet of soft pink roses. She walks down the aisle.

I wink at her and she smirks in return, which makes me chuckle again.

I have to figure out how to sway the Omni to make Kirill marry someone else.

Don’t think about this today. The only woman I’m allowed to think about is Zara—no Underworld stuff.

My wife steps into the doorway, and I push the ill feeling away, trying to catch my breath.

Like always, my pulse is beautiful, sexy, and glowing. Her baby bump is showing, which only makes me adore her more.

Some men look for other women when their wives get pregnant, but not me. If anything, Zara and I have both been even more insatiable during her pregnancy, and the vision of her in her white satin wedding dress isn’t helping the fire in my veins.

Luca offers her his elbow, and she loops her arm through his. They walk toward me, and I’ve never seen the old man look so proud. His grin is contagious, and I’m relieved we’re back on good terms. I know I stole the moment he was owed, so I’m happy to give it back to him.

Zara pins her blues on me, and every feeling I have for her spins inside me like a tornado. I have to blink a few times, feeling overwhelmed that she’s mine, now and for eternity.

They stop in front of me, and Luca lifts her veil. He hugs her and kisses her cheek, whispers something in her ear, then releases her. He steps closer to me and orders, ‘Keep doing what you’re doing, son. My beautiful figlia is happy and loves you.’

‘I will,’ I promise.

He adds, ‘Remember, I’m the first to hold my grandson.’

I chuckle. ‘You’ll have to fight for that honor, Luca.’

He chuckles and pats me on the back, then steps away.

Fiona takes Zara’s bouquet, and I reach for her hand. I lean into her ear and murmur, ‘You look beautiful, my little brat.’

Her lips twitch, and heat flares in her eyes.

The space in my pants evaporates. I take a deep breath and step back, holding her hands and caressing them with my thumbs.

The priest clears his throat.

We turn toward him.

He starts, ‘Dearly beloved, we are gathered here to witness and celebrate the union between this man and this woman in the presence of God.’

I glance at Zara, and she bites on her lip.

Our parents insisted we get married in the Catholic church. Zara and I aren’t super religious, but we agreed to a Catholic ceremony as long as it wasn’t inside the actual church building. Zara said she didn’t feel comfortable since she was already pregnant, and I was happy to have it elsewhere.

Earlier this morning, like every O’Malley before me, my uncles made me go to confession. I grumbled about not knowing what to say.

Killian handed me a copy of the Ten Commandments and told me to use it as a guide. He added that the priest can’t reveal anything I tell him, and to wear something lightweight, like my T-shirt and shorts.

Declan claimed that was inappropriate and told me to put on pants and a button-down shirt.

Killian said, ‘Fuck off. No need to make the lad sweat to death in that box.’

They went on and on, and I finally put on the dress clothes. When I stepped out of the confessional, Killian had a glass of water and a towel for me, but I didn’t need to use it. He couldn’t understand why I wasn’t sweating.

After I said my piece in the confessional, I went to Liam’s with all the guys, had a few shots, and hung out most of the day. I kept wondering what Zara was doing. I would have called her, but Fiona took her phone and said I had to stay away. She insisted that one man in our family would keep to tradition and not be in contact with the bride before the wedding.

Since we let everyone down the first time, I took one for the team and dealt with it.

But I’ve missed my wife all day. And now, the ache in me is growing, and I’m going to need to replace a dark corner for us somewhere when our vows are over.

The priest says, ‘The couple decided to write their own vows. Sean, are you ready to share yours with Zara?’

Brax hands me the rings.

My heart races faster. I look at Zara, swallowing down the emotions pummeling me. I take a deep breath and vow, ‘I, Sean O’Malley Jr., take you, Zara Luciana Marino O’Malley, to be my wife for eternity. I’ll obey, provide, and protect you always. My devotion is only for you, and I’ll never get bored.’

Zara’s eyes widen in surprise and happiness, and she grins.

We had many heated debates about me saying I’d obey her. They usually ended up with me spanking her until she came, and I always told her there’s no way I’m adding that phrase to my vows.

Seeing the happiness on her face proves it was worth it to swallow my pride. I slide her wedding ring and band on her finger.

The priest asks, ‘Zara, are you ready?’

Brax hands her my ring.

She beams at me, lifting her chin and squeezing my hands. She vows, ‘I, Zara Luciana Marino O’Malley, take you, Sean O’Malley Jr., to be my husband for eternity. I will persuade and protect you. I will be fully devoted to only you and never get bored.’

I chuckle.

She slides my ring onto my finger.

The priest booms, ‘By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you Mr. and Mrs. Sean O’Malley Jr.’

The crowd cheers.

The priest adds, ‘You may kiss your bride.’

I tug Zara into me.

She inhales sharply, and the heat in her blues burns hotter.

I kiss her with every ounce of love I have for her, knowing that everything I’ve ever needed is in front of me.

We never knew why we both got bored with other people. Now I know why.

We were bored because we knew the other existed. We had small glimpses of what we needed, which only made us crave more. So, Zara was always meant to be mine. I was always meant to be hers. A blood pact might have saved us, but we made that promise because even in our drunken stupor, we couldn’t fight the inevitable.

Our fate is together. Here or The Underworld. It doesn’t matter where.

It’s Zara and me for eternity.