Page 8 of Arranged to Marry the Bratva

“Y… You think?” I say.

“I do,” she nods.

I take in a deep breath and close my eyes. “Fine,” I say, opening them and looking at her again, feeling calmer now. “Besides, it’s not like this will be a real marriage. He wanted a wedding, and that’s that. I expect no more.”

Here, Pippa frowns.

“What is it?” I ask curiously.

“You’d be surprised at how beautiful arranged marriages can be,” she lectures me.

“Oh please,” I scoff. “You married for love!”

“True,” she laughs, rolling her eyes at the memory. “But Genevieve and Damien didn’t. Just look at them.”

I go quiet as I think of how precious what my brother and sister-in-law share is. For a brief second, I wonder if that could happen to me, but then Nikolai’s face comes to mind, how he always looks like he’s got a secret, like the whole world is his playground, and the thought immediately leaves my mind.

I chuckle at how I ever entertained the idea of love with Nikolai and shake my head, turning around to face the dress.

“I think the lace is fine,” I tell the seamstress. She smiles, clearly relieved. “We can put it on now.”

“You sure?” Pippa asks carefully, gaining back my attention. “You know, if you don’t want to do thi—”

”I’m sure,” I cut her off. “And Pippa?”

“Yeah?” she inquires, as I walk behind the screen to help get changed, the seamstress by my side. “Don’t tell my brothers about this, okay? They’ll only get worried and it was just wedding jitters. That’s all.”

My brothers are fiercely protective of me, and the last thing I need is for them to interfere in this already complicated marriage.

I make sure to look at her before I head in to change and watch her give me a reluctant nod. “Sure,” she says. I know it’s a lot, asking this to keep this from everyone, including Lev.

But again, they’d only just worry. I gave my word to keep this alliance strong. No matter what I feel, it’s my duty to see it through and what I feel along the way is for me to deal with.

***

I exit the changing room to find Pippa, the make-up artist, and the hairdresser standing there, jaws wide open.

“What is it?” I ask nervously, smoothing my hand down my dress. “Too much?”

Pippa quickly recovers and shakes her head, a smile playing on her lips. "No, not at all. You look stunning. Absolutely breathtaking. Nikolai won’t be able to take his eyes off you." The make-up artist and hairdresser echo her sentiments, their faces beaming with admiration.

I take a deep breath, feeling a surge of confidence wash over me. Yet, as much as I appreciate her compliments, I remind myself not to get swept away by the romance of the day. This isn't a fairy tale, and Nikolai isn't my Prince Charming. We're two people bound together by circumstance, and I need to stay focused on the business aspect of our arrangement.

“Come,” Pippa says, linking her hand through mine. “Vanya just sent a message that everyone’s seated in place. The flower girls are ready to go, and so are the bridesmaids.”

I nod, thinking of how my family has come together. Robin, Genevieve, Pippa, and Vanya. My sisters.

"Let's get you to the church, shall we?" Pippa suggests, linking her arm through mine as we make our way out of the dressing room. “Boris is waiting to walk you down the aisle.”

No matter what happens with Nikolai, my family is enough to see me through.

***

The church doors open, and tunes from the Wedding March echo out of the doors.

“You ready?” Boris looks at me with concern, his dark blue eyes grounding me as he squeezes my hand gently.

I nod, forcing back a shudder, and look right ahead, my heart pounding so hard that the entire world seems more vivid, as alive as I am.

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