Chapter-4: Two weddings

“Vladimir cancelled the engagement because he wants to hold the wedding directly today,” Frencesco informed his brother and son. “He sent a wedding dress for Rose too.”

Nico’s eyes glinted in happiness, but there was someone who was against this alliance. Klaus Barbieri, the future Capo and son of Francesco’s eyes narrowed in anger. “Are we his puppets, Father? Who is he to change the course of this event alone? Shouldn't he have discussed it with us?”

Klaus was the only one who cared for his cousin sister Rose because he knew how innocent she was for their world. And his family promised her to some ruthless Pakhan like a trophy before he could even return to the city and refuse this bloody proposal.

‘I understand your anger, Klaus but our hands are tied,” Frencesco commented, however Nico was eager for this alliance.

“But I do not have any problem with it. What does it matter if we have a wedding instead of an engagement? In Fact, this is better for La Camorra too. Four hours are enough for the preparations!” Nico Barbieri happily shared his views.

Frencesco pursed his lips. “If you do not have any problem then we don't have any either.”

However, the wheels of Klaus’s mind were already turning to keep his sister secured.

Vladimir, along with his family, arrived at Barbieri’s mansion in the evening. Senator Johnathan Stone accompanied them with his family too after all he was the proposer of this alliance.

As they made their way through the hall, the atmosphere seemed to shift. Conversations paused and heads turned to see them. The guests of La Camorra heard a lot about Vladimir Sokolov’s cruelty, his coldness.

The Italian clan came to welcome them. “Welcome, Mr Sokolov. We have been eagerly waiting for your and your family’s arrival,” Nico greeted Vladimir with respect, his eyes gleaming in happiness but his wife's face turned as white as chalk seeing Vladimir's scarred face.

She couldn't imagine her beautiful and innocent daughter being married to such a brute looking man. Even if she ignored the looks, she couldn't ignore the cruel stories she heard about the Sinner. Stephanie accusingly looked at Francesco and his wife. Now She understood why they gave Rose to Vladimir instead of their own daughter.

Vladimir fixed Frencesco with a stiff gaze. “Let's start this ceremony, I do not have a whole day.”

Sila pursed her lips and shared a glance with her father who sighed in displeasure. They wanted a good family life for Vladimir but seeing his attitude towards the situation, they pity the girl He was getting married to.

“What's the hurry, would-be brother-in-law. Let's have a drink together first. We are giving you our dear daughter and would like to know you better,” Klaus Barbeiri’s voice interrupted the answer Vladimir was expecting from The Don of La Camorra.

Vladimir's eyes narrowed sharply seeing Klaus walking towards them leisurely. Everyone knows that Francesco was the namesake Don. The real authority figure was Klaus.

Nico didn't like the delay but he remained silent. It was his daughter's marriage but his designation in La Camorra comes after Klaus.

They decided to have the toast in Nico's home office. “May this alliance bring all of us abundance and success,” Johnathan commented.

Everyone holding a glass of whiskey in their hands cheered.

“Amen,” Nico smiled.

“It's for everyone’s benefit both at personal and professional front,” Johnathan added, looking at the elite group of men.

“Personal and professional benefits?” For a long moment, Klaus’ eyes lingered on his glass, lost in his thoughts. The room suddenly went silent, after hearing his comment. Francesco stared at his son questionably.

Boris shared a glance with his son who could sense the stiffness in the air when Klaus raised his eyes from the glass and fixed them on Vladimir.

“I have a proposition for you,” He announced suddenly, looking sharply at the Bratva Pakhan.

“Klaus?” Francesco started but Vladimir interrupted him.

“What proposition?”

“As Johnathan said, this new relationship is beneficial for us both personally and professionally. I want to strengthen this relationship further, Vladimir Sokolov. Let's go one more step ahead in this deal.”

Vladimir tilted his head to the side in anticipation, seeing Klaus’s wicked gaze.

“A daughter for a daughter. We are giving you my sister Rose, it's only fair if you give us a daughter from your family too,” He gestured at Sila with his nod. “I want to marry your sister, Sila Sokolov.”

The room stilled in uncomfortable silence. Vladimir's eyes blazed in fury and Issac almost shot up from his seat but Boris, he looked at Klaus with utter shock before turning to his daughter who looked as stunned as he was.

Nico fumed as he thought Klaus was trying to break his daughter’s marriage. Frencesco was stunned at his son's demand.

“Oh! Where did it come from?” Jonathan let out, in confusion.

“Why? Why can’t they give their daughter to us if they want ours? It’s not like I demanded their Bratva reigns!” Klaus chuckled in mockery.

“Klaus Barbieri!” Vladimir seethed but Sila’s voice sliced over his. “I accept the proposal.”

Vladimir's head snapped to his sister's direction. “Sila…”

But she just took a deep breath and slowly nodded at her brother with an assuring smile and a secretive message in her gaze.

Issac couldn’t contain his anger, so he stood up and dashed out of the room. But Vladimir understood why his sister agreed to this proposal. He clenched his hand tightly and looked away from them in anger.

Klaus rested his drink on the side table and stood up. “Then why wait, The venue is ready, she is already wearing a white dress,” Klaus said gesturing at her long dress before turning to Vladimir.

“You sent a wedding dress for my sister at such a short notice. I can arrange for a veil if not the dress,” His words silently provoked Vladimir who was trying to reign the bursting rage inside him.

His eyes fell on his sister’s calm features and posture, and He got to his feet, “Sure! Let's not waste time anymore. I have an urgent meeting in the evening.” He just wanted to get over this marriage thing.

.

.

Rose' was trembling in fear as she walked down the aisle with her father. Her heart hammering in her chest, she somehow managed to prepare herself for the engagement but this sudden call of the wedding scared her to the core.

“Obey your husband like a slave, Rose. You must make this marriage successful,” these were the parting words her father spoke to her before handing her hand to Vladimir who held it firmly making her shivered in fear.

She kept her eyes fixed on the bouquet in her hands. The whole ceremony went through in a blink of a moment. The vows were exchanged between them silently.

The priest announced them husband and wife. But his next words shook Rose to the roots of her existence. “You may kiss the bride now.”

While Vladimir's eyes went to his sister and Klaus for a moment. He was still seething in rage at her decision. The wedding vows He spoke were not less than poison to him.

His anger spiked and his eyes turned to his beautiful wife. Mia told Rose what Klaus had done for her security so she glanced at him like deer caught in the headlights.

She shuddered seeing the dark shadow in his hazel green eyes and gasped when Vladimir pulled her close. He raised her chin and whispered coldly,

“From this very moment, you wear the name of Bratva’s pakhan. Prepare yourself to bear its weight, Babochka. Because I own your existence now!”

Before she could react, Vladimir slammed his cold lips on hers, punishing her with a brutal kiss. Rose stiffened, tears pricked her eyes with disgust but she tolerated his touch for the sake of her family.

Russians burst into cheers while the other party, Italians, looked at her with remorse and pitiful gazes.

Klaus clenched his jaws in utter fury seeing the ugly Pakhan marking his territory on his sister. Rose closed her eyes tightly, the kiss was demanding and full of anger. Vladimir held her face in place and bruised her lips. She struggled to breathe and moaned in discomfort while clutching his shirt with her trembling hands.

Vladimir with the corner of his eyes, spared a gaze at Klaus which held the silent warning and with a last bite on her lower lip, He left her mouth and straightened.

The fellow Bratva members applauded and whistled at the manliness of their Pakhan.

“If the kiss at the altar is like this we can imagine how wild the wedding night would be,” someone commented from the guests, rendering men laugh but the words shocked the daylight out of Rose' heart. “Pakhan is going to crush this girl.”

Wedding night! Her face paled. She trembled at the thought of having sex with this brute of a man.

Klaus shot out of his place with anger but Francesco immediately handled the situation and called Boris for his son’s and Sila’s marriage now.

“I am sorry you have to go through this, please forgive me.” Boris whispered to his daughter before handing her hand to Klaus Berbeiri whose eyes shone with arrogance and pride.

Sila blinked back her tears and silently nodded at her father before raising her eyes to Klaus Berbeiri, the man she was marrying to. He squeezed her hand and his cold stare told her that this marriage holds no emotional attachment for him. This was a pure business deal.

Sila never imagined herself getting a flash marriage like this. But here she was!

She took a deep breath and stood silently as the priest announced them husband and wife after the exchange of wedding vows. “You may kiss the bride.”

Sila looked at her husband but didn't like the look of disdain and superiority in Klaus' eyes. He looked as if he had won some kind of battle. Klaus pulled her close by her hand and held her waist. Vladimir disrespected his family and his sister openly and now was his turn.

“Are you scared Mrs Barbieri?” He asked with a smirk, mocking her new identity now.

Sila narrowed her eyes on him, “A Sokolov is never scared,” she let out before moving forward and placing her lips on his cheek for a kiss.

The action stunned Klaus to the core as he thought she would be a nervous mess but after seeing the glimpse of determination in her gaze and assurance in her smile, he understood this girl was not what he thought!