Page 62 of Unwilling Bratva Bride

Ivan’s gaze didn’t stop there, though. His eyes ran up my body, taking in the cinched waist where the satin abruptly changed to white lace, several sheer sections creating a tantalizing view of my flesh beneath.

It was only thanks to the strategic placement that my nipples weren’t on full display. Though as it was, they were hard as a rock and straining against the fabric because I was both quite cold and desperately aroused.

The lace traveled down one arm to the wrist in a long sleeve while scooping over my chest and leaving the other arm wholly uncovered. The pattern in the lace was especially subtle, and I’d pulled my hair back into a high twist. Both things combined to make me feel particularly exposed despite how much clothing I was actually wearing.

It’s probably the no bra or panties, Adley.

When I finally reached the short walk to the front of the room, I stood next to Ivan, turning to face him as the judge cleared his throat. Ivan took my hand as the man began his little speech, and I could do nothing but stare into those gorgeous gray-blue eyes.

“All right,” Judge Henderson said, “you have both come here today to be joined in lawful matrimony. You have gatheredyour witnesses to this undertaking and are both of sound mind and judgment. Correct?”

Ivan nodded. “Yes.”

“Yes,” I replied.

“Very well, that it is within my power to join you two in the state of Illinois as man and wife. Do you wish to say anything?”

He looked to Ivan first, and I was sure the judge would be met with a solid headshake. But Ivan surprised me, sucking in a breath through the nose and then turning to me.

“Adley,” Ivan steadied himself before continuing, “it is my honor to become your husband. I promise you that for as long as there is air in my lungs, I’ll do whatever it takes to protect you and any children that may come in the future. Everything that you are and will become is mine—to safeguard, to keep, to fulfill.”

My jaw fell open again, and a burn set up shop behind my eyes that I didn’t want to acknowledge for fear of crying and ruining the makeup I’d worked so hard at. I hadn’t prepared to say anything, but there was no way I was leaving Ivan with nothing after all that.

I smiled as he met my eyes, clearing my throat and squeezing his hand.

“Ivan, it is my honor to become your wife today. You have given me and my family so much, and I will never be able to repay that generosity. I…I have felt at home living with you, and a future that I never dreamed was possible might actually be a reality because…”

My throat closed briefly, and I had to suck in a fresh breath to fight back the need to sob.

“Because you noticed me across the bar. I take everything you are and might become as I take your hand.”

Ivan wouldn’t cry. He wasn’t the type. But the fact that I could see the glimmer of his eyes shine all the brighter in the gentle light of the room spoke volumes.

“Very well,” the judge cut in. “Mr. Ivan Ustinov, do you take Ms. Adley MacCormack to be your lawfully wedded wife.”

He wasted no time in replying, “I do.”

“Ms. Adley MacCormack, do you take Mr. Ivan Ustinov to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

I nodded, shaking my head to shoo away the damn tears that hormones were determined for me to shed.

“I do.”

Judge Henderson nodded with a polite smile. “Then it is with the power vested in me by the state of Illinois to pronounce you husband and wife. You may—”

Ivan’s arms snatched me around the waist, pulling me forward as he crashed his lips into mine. I yelped slightly but quickly melted into the feeling of the deep kiss. Regardless of anything else, I knew without a doubt how perfect Ivan felt against me.

“How sweet.”

Ivan yanked back, squeezing me tight as we both looked over at the unknown voice. But as soon as I realized where I’d heard that man before, my stomach dropped.Oh shit.

“Donovan,” Ivan gritted out, and he maneuvered me behind him.

Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Abe and Vlad start to shift their positions closer to Ivan, and the judge was doing his best to slink backward.

“Hello there, Mr. Ustinov.” Donovan cocked his head, smirking maliciously at us. “You caused quite the commotion at the fight, didn’t you? And what do you know, that bullshit you pulled went straight to the top. Cost me millions.Millions.”

Three men flanked Donovan on either side, and I looked past them to see that the door was now shut at the back of the room. I could guess that they’d locked it. We were trapped in here with them, and Ivan really needed to call for backup ASAP.

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