Page 32 of Taken By Him

“Kasia.” He says my name hard, and I stare at him, waiting for his next volley of instructions. “Things can be good between us, just like they were.”

I laugh. The haze of pleasure has lifted. I’m no longer in the pliable mood he put me in with his titillating touch.

“Right. We’ll be best of friends, Dominik.” I pat his arm and leave him beneath the shade of the great weeping willow.

Chapter Twelve

Dominik

“I’m so sorry, Mr. Staszek.” Margaret rushes toward me as I enter the chapel. Margaret brought Kasia an hour earlier, while I finished a meeting.

“For what, Margaret?” I ask, noting the panic in her eyes. The doors to the small chapel I’ve arranged to use for the ceremony are closed. I couldn’t give Kasia a proper wedding, but I could at least bring her to a church to say our vows before God’s watchful eyes.

“I tried to convince her otherwise, but she wouldn’t listen. She just wouldn’t.” Margaret’s mouth thins.

“Whatever it is, I’m sure it’s fine,” I assure her. She’s spent extra attention on her makeup and her dress for the night. Margaret’s worked for my family for over twenty-five years, I won’t have her feeling like she’s to blame for something Kasia has done.

“Is she here?” I ask, suddenly aware that she could have defied me. I never gave my men permission to physically drag her here if she wouldn’t comply on her own.

“Oh, yes, she’s here. In that little room Father Peter was so nice to let her use.”

“Okay, then whatever else it is, it’s fine.” I check my watch. “I think we should get started. Why don’t you go get her?”

“Dominik!” Jakub comes out of the church with a wide grin on his face. “Let’s get this started, huh? I have a few women waiting for me at the club.” He waves me over.

I touch Margaret’s shoulder. “Go on, get her ready. Let’s get this over with. I’m sure she’ll feel better once it’s done.”

Margaret frowns. She doesn’t like this. A man should love his wife, she had told me after she heard my father talking about this arrangement. Diana had been my intended bride at the time. I don’t think she likes how easily I’ve switched sisters.

“It will be fine, please.” I motion toward the room she pointed out. “Go get her.”

She pinches her lips together and gives me a nod. She won’t give me trouble. At least not like Kasia will, I’m sure.

At least she’s here. I wasn’t lying when I said I didn’t want to start out our marriage with a punishment. It doesn’t mean she’s not getting her ass smacked a few times tonight though.

“Let’s go.” I tug on Jakub’s shoulder and head into the chapel. Father Peter is already standing at the front of the small church. They reserve this chapel for small ceremonies when the main church is otherwise used. Using the main church would have let Kasia see how empty the room was; this way, it’s not so apparent.

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