Page 33 of Taken By Him

“Too bad our father can’t be here,” Jakub says as we walk down the short aisle to the front of the chapel. “First born son gets married—it should be a big event.”

“Waiting would be too dangerous. Garska is up to something and the sooner I get my ring on his daughter the better.”

“You really think he’s going to try for our territory? The council already granted it to our family.”

We reach the front pew and I turn to him. I don’t want the priest overhearing us. “Exactly. So, the sooner I join our families together the better. He won’t have any excuses not to keep with the original agreement. And when I find what I need to prove he’s behind all this legal bullshit, they’ll grant me his territories as repayment.”

I check my watch then look up at the priest. “Are you ready, father?” I ask.

He clears his throat and nods quickly. “Yes, Mr. Staszek. Whenever you are ready to begin.”

I step forward to my spot and Jakub falls in line behind me. Three of my men stand at the back of the chapel; they act as witnesses and protection at the same time. Lena will be pissed she missed this, but our father insisted she return to Poland with him while I sorted out the mess here.

“Would you like music?” Father Peter leans toward me to ask.

I could care less, but it’s tradition. Once I see Margaret in the doorway at the back of the church, I give the okay. The deep sounds of an organ play, echoing in the small building.

Margaret takes a quick glance to the side, then walks down the aisle toward me, carrying a small bouquet of white roses. She gives me a wobbly smile and moves to the pew on my side of the church. The doorway remains empty, however.

My jaw tenses, and just as I’m about to signal for my men to find her, she appears.

She’s wearing black to our wedding.

“Oh, shit,” Jakub laughs behind me.

Father Peter clears his throat again. The old man is uncomfortable around me to begin with, and now he sees my bride coming toward me carrying a single red rose looking as though she’s headed to a funeral instead of her wedding.

Margaret’s gripping her flowers so tightly, one of the stems breaks off and falls to the floor at her feet. I don’t blame her for this. Kasia has her own mind and makes her own decisions.

The dress is a simple wrap that hugs her hips. A long slit in the side exposes her thigh as she walks. I’m surprised she’s not wearing heels but a pair of black flats. She’s left her hair down in thick waves around her shoulders, with the right side pulled up behind her ear and held back with a pearl encrusted clip. The same pearl drop earrings she always wears dangle from her earlobes.

Other than the inappropriate color, the woman looks edible. The neckline is cut deeper than I’m sure the Father is happy about, but it looks good on her. A heavier chested woman would look tacky, would probably fall out of the dress. But Kasia’s subtle breasts, that fit perfectly in my palm, make the dress more elegant.

She doesn’t lift her gaze from the priest as she makes her way down the aisle. It’s only when she’s at my side that she gifts me with a quick glance. I take her hand in mine and we face the priest.

Father Peter clears his throat again. Maybe I should have made him have a drink before we started. I’m no threat, but he’s gotten it in his head we’re bad people. We don’t bring our business out this far into the suburbs. We stay in the city, making our money there. This is our home, and we don’t shit where we sleep.

But rumors spread fast and furious. It seems the church is not immune to judgmental thoughts.

Father Peter begins his speech, but a curt shake of my head makes him skip ahead. He turns the page of his little book and goes straight to the vows.

Kasia tries to tug free of my hand when he utters the word obey, but I don’t give an inch. She’ll stay at my side, holding my hand, because that’s where she belongs. Tethered to me for eternity.

“Kasia,” I say quietly when she hesitates to repeat the words. “It’s your turn.” I squeeze her hand.

She swallows and abruptly turns to me. With wide eyes and flushed cheeks, she repeats every word, except one. The important one. The one I’m not going to let her get away with not repeating.

Father Peter quickly starts to give me my vows, but I hold up a hand to still him.

“Kasia, you forgot one.” I narrow my eyes slightly. “We’ll wait until you finish.”

Father Peter looks at her with horror in his eyes. Does he think so poorly of me he thinks I’ll strike her down in the damn chapel?

“I said everything I want to say,” she raises her chin in absolute defiance. Poor girl thinks she’s safer here, that I won’t force her.

“Father Peter, if you would remind her of which vow she missed so she can repeat it.” I keep my eyes locked on hers. There’s a battle of wills here, and she didn’t bring the right ammunition.

“Certainly,” he says and goes over the vows once more. “You missed obey, my dear. If you’ll just repeat them, we can move forward.” There’s desperation in his voice.

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