Page 39 of The Bratva King's Pregnant Bride

It made me realize that Dominik was still human, even if it seemed like the world revolved around the Bratva. I should have known it; he didn’t make me feel bad, but I hadn’t been able to help feeling a little guilty.

After all, I’d done nothing wrong by wanting justice for my brother. In fact, in my own way, I was doing what the members of the Bratva organization were trying to do.

“When I was younger, I believed I’d get justice for my brother, but that didn’t happen in the end. You’re a criminal, and I can’t trust you,” I admitted.

“Your mistrust does you credit.”

I stared straight ahead as I felt a tear slide under my sunglasses. That was it. I couldn’t hold on any longer. My heart broke further as I thought of what my brother must have gone through. It wasn’t fair; the world should never bring harm to innocent lives. Yet, the universe did, and I could only wish it would stop. The sooner I accepted that, the sooner I could live with this guilt.

The sun was setting and the sky was a rich purple color. Everything was beautiful in such an amazing way and I suddenly saw it all in an almost surreal way, but I knew what it meant.

Unable to hold it in any longer, Dominik pulled me into his embrace. We embraced and held each other tightly, letting our bodies move naturally. We moved into each other, my body warm in his arms; I could feel his heartbeat, and his chest rising and falling slowly against mine.

“Thank you for bringing me here.”

“You don’t need to thank me. This has to be your burden to bear for another day or two, and you’ll be able to carry it much better, knowing I’m here.”

My breathing grew heavier, and the tears finally started flowing. I felt Dominik holding tighter onto my body, steadying me, as if he knew I needed this physical contact more than ever. He kissed the top of my head as his arms became warmer, and I could swear I felt his erection.

Where did that come from?

I heard him inhale sharply. “I can smell you.”

It surprised me a little, since I hadn’t expected him to notice. I pulled out of his grasp slightly and wiped my nose on my sleeve, looking at him with watery eyes. My cheeks heated lightly as my heart raced.

He leaned in to kiss me softly. It was a soft, loving, and tender kiss, which I reciprocated.

After we parted, I could feel his hands running gently through my hair, which was getting a little long for the style I usually wore it in. He looked in my eyes, and I was thankful that I’d had the courage to say what had been on my mind for the past few days.

Chapter 16 - Dominik

The day fell into the colors of autumn and roses: golden, like the first turning leaf that settled on the ground, so was today.

Under a grand, ornate arch, I stood waiting.

I listened as the soft symphony of violins began playing, and Maya emerged. She was a vision, shrouded in pure white, and she radiated an ethereal beauty that outshone everything and everyone around her.

Her veil partly concealed her face, and her gown was the depiction of luxury. It clung to her slender frame, trailing behind her in a wave of ivory silk.

After she’d agreed to marry me, I’d known it was only logical to give her the wedding ceremony she deserved. This fairytale wedding? I was more than happy to give it to her, and more than happy to participate in it.

As she slowly made her way down the aisle, every step she took echoed in my heart, and the congregation took to their feet. They were all entranced by the sight of Maya, just as I was, and I could see it plainly in their eyes.

When Maya reached me, we locked eyes, and our shared laughter and tears, promises and dreams, became a single point in time. The space around us vibrated with a harmonic that resonated just for us.

We exchanged our vows, the ceremony flashing by in a blur, and suddenly, the minister was saying, “You may kiss the bride.”

I smiled at Maya and met her lips with mine in a kiss that tasted like a promise—sweet, intimate, and forever binding.

The euphoria that ensued from the ceremony was as grand as the cathedral itself. Joyous was the reception that unfolded. It was in a banquet hall, beneath a sky of crystal chandeliers, populated by members of my family, Maya’s relatives, and our friends.

Maya introduced me to my new mother-in-law, the very one I had threatened in order to get Maya in my grasp. Looking at her now, I felt not one iota of guilt. I tried to present myself as hospitable and friendly as possible, but a lion couldn’t ever be a lamb—even for a minute. Hence, I was quite certain she saw past my carefully-cultivated exterior.

However, Maya’s mom shared her daughter’s radiant smile. “So, this is Dominik,” she said, looking straight at me with a piercing gaze.

I felt like a thousand eyes were upon me, trying to read my every movement, as if they could decipher my innermost thoughts. That’s what made me uneasy, considering very little in this world could make me squirm.

“Take care of her.”

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