Page 61 of Unwilling Bratva Bride

I rolled my eyes at him, walking back over to the rack of dressed. I’d refused help from the sales attendant since I wasn’t here to be told what I “should” wear, and Ivan had already made it clear that it didn’t matter what the dress cost, so I was firmly on my own.

Which would be fine except for the fact that I didn’t know what I wanted.

Maybe you should get some help.

I didn’t move away from the rack, though. I just kept working my way through the array of dresses, trying to find the one that just spoke to me. The one that lept out and said, “I’m the one.”

So dumb. At this rate, I’m just going to grab the first one without a million frills and call it a day.

“Excuse me, miss? I know you’ve been struggling a bit, but perhaps you’ll let me show you one.”

Turning around, I found the attendant holding a dress draped over her arms. I could see a bit of lace at the top of the gown, but before I could protest, she held up her hand and smiled at me.

“I know you don’t like frills. I assure you, this gown isn’t over the top. It has just enough. But you need to see it on to understand.”

With a sigh, I gave in. I needed something to wear, and Ivan was getting impatient—as was I.

“I’m going to go try this on, okay? I’ll be right back.”

He raised his brows at me and nodded, perfectly content to sit and wait on the likely thousand-dollar couch.

The saleswoman walked me to a private dressing room, and with a bit of her assistance, I got changed into the dress. I was nervous, clearly, but when I turned around to look at myself in the mirror, my jaw dropped.

"This one.”

***

The chamber where we met the judge was larger than I expected and completely cleared out of anyone but exactly who Ivan wanted there. Part of me mourned the fact that my parents and siblings weren’t around. Still, once this entire situation with Ivan had been going on for a while, we’d hold a proper ceremony with my family.

If we last that long.

My throat tightened at the thought. As much as I still wanted to fight it, I did feel connected to Ivan, drawn to him stronger than a moth to the flame. And I was having his child.Ourchild.

I hadn’t wanted to take it back once. It had only been two days, sure, but my initial thought when I’d taken that test was not, “Oh no.” I’d felt…excited. Overwhelmed, of course, but so very eager to meet whoever this little person was.

Just outside the door at the back of the room, I waited for my cue. I peeked through the crack in the door and could see Ivan’s brothers, all decked out in suits, standing to the left of the podium.

The room was one of the tiny courtrooms that was right next to the judge’s office, but somehow, they’d managed to create a little “aisle” for me to walk down when everyone was ready. The officiant looked happy enough to be performing the impromptu wedding when we’d arrived, and I wondered if he was on the books, so to speak.

“Ms. MacCormack,” I heard him call out, “please come in.”

Not MacCormack for long, though, huh?

Pushing forward through the door, I stepped into the makeshift “chapel.” Abe and Vlad smiled as I walked down toward them, and the black of their suits stood out in stark contrast to the golden brown wood of the walls.

My heart hammered so hard against my ribs, and the familiar nausea was beginning to peak. I wasn’t going to let myself be sick, though. Not now. After eons, I finally found the courage to look over just a hair to where Ivan was standing.

“Holy…”

I gasped just slightly, and Ivan mirrored my surprise. Neither of us had let the other see our final outfits, and to say that Ivan cleaned up damn good was an understatement. His black suit was crisp and structured over a soft white shirt. He wore a long black tie, and he’s apparently freshly trimmed his hair and stubble.

He looked…beautiful. Terrifying as always, but also so very handsome, and my entire body warmed.

The rasp of fabric on my chest drew my attention to my gown, and I admired the obvious desire in Ivan’s expression. The saleswoman had been right to pick this one, and I could tell how much he liked it.

The long skirt hung in sleek lines down to the floor, a short train of the satin fabric flowing behind me. Ivan’s eyes traveled up the slit that opened gently around my left leg with each step and widened as he reached the apex, where it sat right at the front of my hip.

Being careful about my strides was crucial because I’d apparently found my wild streak and decided to go without panties.

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