Page 15 of The Bratva King's Claimed Bride

I don’t know who Igor is spending his life with, but he’s not spending a lifetime with me, that’s for sure.

This… priest, if I can call him that, makes us turn to face each other. Igor doesn’t take his dark eyes off me for a second. He’s really intense. I can feel his desire rolling off him in rapid waves.

He takes my hands. I try to pull away, but he gives me a stern look, so I relent. There’s no point putting up a fight now. I need to find the opportune moment.

“Do you, Arina Milov-Maia, take Igor Sidorov to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold? Through sickness and health? Until death do you part?” He looks at me with a smile.

I’m about to shake my head when Igor gives my hands a small squeeze. Instead, I nod slowly.

“You need to say it out loud,” the priest whispers.

“I do,” I say without a hint of fear in my voice.

“Do you, Igor Sidorov, take Arina Milov-Maia to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold? Through sickness and health? Until death do you part?”

Without missing a beat, and his eyes trained on me, he says, “I do.”

“By the power invested in me by the state of California and before all who witness today, I hereby name you man and wife. You may kiss your bride.”

I can’t think of anything worse than kissing this man, but he pulls me into his arms and kisses me before I can protest. His lips are warm and taste like caramel toffees.

I hold the kiss for a moment before pulling away.

The few servants present, and Matvey and Yvonne, clap as we turn to face them.

“Everyone can help themselves to food,” Igor says. “Tonight, we celebrate.”

He turns to the priest. “Thanks, Estivador. It was a nice and short ceremony.”

“Just covered the basics,” he says. “I’m going to find me a cocktail.”

Okay, so maybe not a priest. Maybe just an officiant.

Igor turns to me. “You look even more beautiful than the day I met you.”

“That was yesterday,” I comment. “You’ve known me for less than twenty-four hours.”

“We have a lifetime to get to know one another. Love can grow even from the harshest places.” He leads me to where the food is, buffet style.

“Oh, I’m so happy for you,” Yvonne says as she comes over. “Congratulations.”

“Uh… thanks,” I say.

I can’t believe I’m married to this fucking idiot. Not only do I not want to be married, but I have plans for revenge that I can’t execute if I’m tied down. Now, this Igor guy is standing in my way.

I wonder if I can poison him without risking my life.

He steps away from Yvonne and me to speak to his brother, and I pick at the food.

“Don’t worry,” Yvonne says. “You’ll be given more freedom once you prove you’re trustworthy.”

She picks up a cake and bites into it. “Hmmm, I do love rich cakes.”

I pick at some grapes. I’m hungry despite my fury. I don’t want to give them the satisfaction, though, that I’m settling in.

“So, I’ll be allowed to leave the house whenever I want?” I ask since she’s the only one who’s talking to me.

“Of course, and when we want to go do something girly together without the boys knowing, we’ll just take the secret passage by the kitchen and sneak out.” She smiles brightly. “I think we’re going to be really good friends.”

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