Page 48 of Used By the Bratva

Chapter 19 - Leon

The church bells ring as the intricate wooden doors at the other end of the white stone building swing open. The guests stand up from the pews and look at the light shining in from outside.

Sergey nudges me with his elbow as Natalie appears in the doorway. She has a veil pulled over her face, and her white dress hugs every perfect curve of her body before falling just above her knees.

I grin at him before looking back at her and the huge bouquet of lilies she is carrying.

I can’t see her melting chocolate eyes through the veil, but I feel they’re searching for mine.

Although this is a good day, I hate that Natalie has to walk down the aisle with Ivan.

She tried to talk to Marina, but from what I overheard of the conversation, she was still angry that Natalie moved to New York and even angrier that she was getting married. I offered to fly her here on the private jet, but Natalie insisted that Marina wasn’t coming.

At some point, I’ll have to visit Marina and remind her what she’ll be missing after breaking her daughter’s heart.

Natalie takes slow steps as the wedding march plays. When she climbs the steps to where I wait, the trembling of her hands becomes evident.

“Dearly beloved,” the priest says, his voice booming through the room as my family and friends take their seats.

The only person on Natalie’s side is Pearl, but the woman looks unbothered at having to sit alone.

“We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Natalie Popov and Leonid Orlov. If anyone sees any reason why the two should not marry, let them speak now or forever hold their peace.”

I look at Natalie as she hands Pearl the bouquet while the priest speaks. Her grip tightens as she places her hands in mine, but she doesn’t seem to realize she’s doing it.

With each passing day, she begins to lean on me more and willingly obeys me.

After I told her we were getting married, her behavior changed. She softened a little and buried the broken woman inside her even deeper than she already was.

“And now, the couple is going to recite their vows.”

The priest nods to me first.

I clear my throat, holding her hands tighter, thumbs drifting over the back of them as I try to soothe her nerves. “Natalia Popov, I promise to honor you and protect you. I promise to be the person you can count on, no matter what problems arise in your life. I will be your friend and your confidant. Today is the day our lives truly begin, and you are the one I want to share my future with.”

The priest looks at Natalie, but she says nothing for a long stretch. Her shoulders tremble as she looks at me through the transparent lace, and a tear slips down her cheek.

“Leonid Orlov, I promise you that I will honor you in this life and the next. I promise to follow you wherever you go. I will be your friend and your confidante and stand by your side no matter what comes our way. I dream of the future I will share with you.”

The priest smiles and asks Sergei to step forward and present the rings.

“With this ring, I thee wed,” I say as I take the diamond-studded band from the black velvet box and slip it on Natalie’s finger.

She takes the gold band out of the box and whispers. “With this ring, I thee wed.”

The priest takes a step back. “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.”

I waste no time pulling the long veil over her head, and my breath catches in my throat because she is so beautiful. Tears glisten in her long lashes as she blinks up at me.

“She’s the one who's missing out.” I press my forehead against Natalie’s and wipe away her tears before kissing her.

The soft gasps she emits make me want to strip her right here and elicit every moan and sigh from her until the sun rises in the morning.

Instead, I keep the kiss short, knowing that when we are alone tonight, I’m going to worship her body.

The people around us clap and cheer as I take Natalie by the hand and lead her to the car, waiting to take us to my estate.

Natalie shuffles into the car, picks up her dress, and tries to climb in without getting tangled up.

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