Page 16 of Devil's Bride

Dimitri nods.

“Good, now get out. I’ll like to be alone with my new bride.”

Nikolai’s face lights up mischievously. “Someone wants to fuck his new bride. Won’t you at least let us listen?”

I frown at my youngest brother. “I’ll let you, only if you allow me to kill you afterwards. Is that something you could agree to?”

His smile vanishes. “Easy, man. I was joking. You hate her yet you’re already so protective of her.”

“She’s my wife now and a part of this family, you will protect her with your life as well.” I look at each of them. “No one is to disrespect her or allow their hatred for her to show.”

They all nod. I know from this moment onward, that they would risk their lives to protect Irina because she is now a part of me.

Chapter Six

Irina

I ignore the rumble in my stomach as I slide out of my wedding gown and release a breath. I swear I hated wearing that every hour I had it on. I pull my hair into a bun and head for the bathroom.

It’s been a long day, and I still can’t believe I am now Alexei’s wife. It feels unreal, but the splash of cold water on my skin goes to prove I’m not dreaming. The wedding, our vows, the kiss…all of it is real and there’s no going back now. After I take a shower, I grab a clean, white towel from the pile on the floating shelf and wrap it around my chest.

Thankfully, Alexei is still downstairs when I return to the bedroom. The only thing I have with me is the lingerie Arielle gifted me for my wedding night minutes before we left the hotel.

Home.

I can’t believe I’m calling this place my home when I’ve spent less than an hour here. It’s nothing like my father’s vibrant mansion. There wasn’t a sign of life in the foyer, unlike my parents’ home where the maids are always busy cleaning or cooking. When they’re not, my mother has friends over or she’s tending the flowers in her little garden. I didn’t even spot a maid here. I’ll need to turn this into a home somehow.

I pull out the lingerie from the fancy bag Arielle gave me and stare at it. It’s red, sexy, something I would wear if I was in love with Alexei. But I’m not and the thought of him seeing me in it just makes me… well, it’s unnerving.

I don’t want to wear it, but I didn’t bring any clothes with me so I guess I’ll wear it and hide myself under the blankets until he leaves in the morning. Hopefully he’s not the kind of guy to sleep in late.

Another unnerving thought crashes into me. What if he expects something from me on our wedding night? What if he wants sex? My heartbeat doubles, my cheeks heating up at the thought.

I’m not stupid enough to think I can avoid sex with him all our married life. A dark part of me is curious about what’s hidden beneath his clothes. I want to know how big he is and how he’ll feel inside me.

I don’t realize I’m licking my lips and trailing my finger down my neck when a knock on the door startles me. I instantly know it’s not Alexei. He’s not enough of a gentleman to knock before he comes in.

“Who’s there?”

The door opens and a middle-aged woman enters the room. She smiles at me. “Sorry if I’m disturbing you, I’m the head housekeeper here and I mostly make the meals too. Are you hungry? I can quickly prepare something if you are.”

I want to tell her I’m not, but my stomach growls again, louder this time.

Her smile widens. “I guess that’s a yes. What should I make? We have pasta with a lot of cheese. Grilled—”

“A cup of hot chocolate and any snack you have will do,” I say, cutting her off. I don’t mean to be rude, but it’s almost midnight and I’ll feel really bad if I make her cook pasta at this time of the night.

“Are you sure you don’t want anything else?”

I nod. “No, I’ll be fine with that.”

“I’ll get it ready for you then.” She leaves the room and shuts the door behind her.

I return my attention to the lingerie.

I’m not wearing that.

Throwing it back in the fancy bag, I briskly walk to the walk-in closet. It’s enormous, lined with designer shoes, dress shirts and suits that are all black.

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