The Mafia King of Philadelphia: From witness to his doted wife

Viktor slipped an arm around Sienna’s waist. She looked up at him, still trying to process everything he’d just admitted. The plan... The entire plan... Was me? She barely managed a smile before another dozen photographs were taken.

Across the chapel, Simon watched with clenched teeth. Beside him, Lily forced herself to clap. ”I don’t understand.” Lily shook her head. ”How did she...”

”...end up marrying Viktor Kessler?” Simon didn’t answer. His jaw remained tight. Months ago, Sienna had been madly in love with him. Now... She stood beside one of the most feared men in the country. As Mrs. Kessler.

The sight was difficult to accept. And somewhere far from the celebration, Don Capri was speeding through the city with blood soaking his clothes, completely unaware that the real wedding had just taken place.

The reception began shortly afterward. Unlike Don Capri’s extravagant ceremony, Viktor’s celebration was elegant. Refined. Exclusive. A string quartet played softly near the dance floor.

Crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead. Champagne flowed endlessly. Guests laughed as though nothing unusual had happened anywhere in the city that morning.

Sienna couldn’t enjoy any of it. She smiled when required. Accepted congratulations. Thanked guests. Posed for more photographs. But her eyes kept drifting toward the entrance. She was waiting.

Waiting for the doors to burst open. Waiting for Aliya to storm inside. Waiting for Don Capri to arrive with armed men. Waiting for the explosion she was certain would come.

It never did. Hour after hour passed. Nothing happened. Eventually, the first guests began leaving. Then another group. The musicians packed away their instruments. Servers quietly cleared empty glasses.

By evening... Only a handful of people remained. Soon... Even they were gone. The grand ballroom suddenly felt enormous. And strangely peaceful. Sienna let out a quiet breath.

”So...”

”They’re really not coming.” A familiar voice sounded behind her.

”May I have this dance...” She turned. Viktor stood a few steps away, holding out one hand. ”...Mrs. Kessler?” She stared at it. Then at him. ”Is this some kind of joke?” He raised an eyebrow.

”The dance?”

”No.” She crossed her arms. ”Everything.”

”What happened to Aliya?”

”What happened to her father?”

”What happened to that wedding?” Viktor lowered his hand with a small sigh. ”I suppose you deserve an explanation.” He walked over to one of the empty tables and leaned against it.

”I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you worrying.”

”I told you I’d handle it.” Sienna waited. ”There was a wedding.” He spoke matter-of-factly. ”Aliya walked down the aisle.”

”She waited.”

”I never showed up.” Sienna wasn’t surprised.

”Then?”

”I made sure everyone saw exactly who she really was.”

”The photographs.”

”The messages.”

”The lies.” He shrugged. ”That part was mine.” Sienna narrowed her eyes. ”And the shooting?” Viktor’s expression turned serious. ”Not mine.”

”I had nothing to do with it.” He met her gaze. ”One of Don Capri’s creditors chose today to collect a very expensive debt.”

”I planned humiliation.”

”They brought revenge.” Sienna searched his face carefully. She had become good at telling when he was hiding something. This time... He wasn’t. ”So you didn’t order the massacre?”

”No.”

”I would never choose a room full of civilians as my battlefield.” He looked genuinely irritated. ”Unfortunately, Don Capri’s enemies don’t share my standards.” Sienna remained quiet for several moments.

”How many people died?” Viktor’s expression darkened. ”I don’t know yet.” The answer hung heavily between them. ”And Aliya?”

”She escaped.”

”Don Capri too.”

”Elena was wounded.”

”They all got away.” Sienna nodded slowly. A strange mixture of relief and disappointment settled inside her. Relief they had survived. Disappointment because she knew this wasn’t over.

Not even close. She looked back at Viktor. ”If your entire plan worked...”

”Then why did we have to get married?” He smiled. ”Because the wedding had to be believable.”

”I needed real invitations.”

”Real guests.”

”A real priest.”

”A real bride.”

”If I canceled at the last minute...”

”Someone would have warned Don Capri.”

”He would’ve smelled the trap.”

”So...” He looked at the wedding ring now resting on her finger. ”...this was always part of the plan.” Sienna stared at the diamond catching the ballroom lights. She sighed. ”Congratulations, Mr. Kessler.” She lifted her left hand slightly.

”I’ve somehow become Mrs. Kessler.” She gave him a pointed look. ”Twice.” ”Against my own wishes.” Viktor couldn’t help laughing.

”I’ll admit...”

”That’s not how most love stories begin.”

”No.” She turned toward the exit. ”They usually involve honesty.” She glanced over her shoulder.

”Good night.” She had taken only two steps before Viktor spoke again.

”Oh, come on.” She stopped but didn’t turn around. ”I thought we’d made some progress.” His tone carried a hint of playful disappointment. ”After everything we’ve been through...”

”I was hoping we’d at least have a proper wedding night.” Sienna slowly looked back at him. A smile tugged at the corner of her lips despite herself. ”You were hoping?”

”I was.” She folded her arms. ”You planned an elaborate conspiracy, secretly married me, refused to tell me half of what was happening, and somehow expected romance at the end of it?”

”When you say it like that...”

”It sounds unreasonable.”

”It is unreasonable.” Viktor placed a hand over his heart in mock offense. ”I think I’ve been a fairly decent husband today.”

”You disappeared before dawn.”

”A minor scheduling issue.”

”You let me believe you were sacrificing me in some mafia plot.”

”I knew you’d say yes.” She stared at him. ”That’s not the comforting answer you think it is.”

He chuckled. ”Then let me try again.” His teasing smile softened into something more sincere.

”I trusted you. And I wanted you standing beside me when it mattered most.” The ballroom fell quiet again. Sienna looked at him for a long moment. Then she shook her head, unable to hide the tiny smile that escaped.

”You’re impossible, Viktor.”

”So you’ve told me.”

”And I’ll probably tell you again.”

”I look forward to it.” Sienna rolled her eyes and gathered the heavy skirt of her wedding gown in both hands.

”You’re mistaken.” She glanced over her shoulder. ”I’m sleeping alone.” She pointed a finger at him. ”And you’re sleeping alone.” Without waiting for a response, she headed toward the grand staircase. The satin train dragged behind her with every step.

Viktor watched her climb before slipping one hand into his pocket. ”You’re not worried?” She stopped halfway up the stairs.