Page 34 of Taken By Him

She’s silent for a long stretch. The only sound in the chapel is the creak of the pew when Margaret moves her legs.

“Please,” Father Peter says quietly. “Kasia, do you promise to cherish, honor, andobeyyour husband until death parts you?”

“I do.” She squeezes my hand and averts her eyes. I could be a complete dick and make her say the words. I’m comforted by the fact that she’ll be repeating an entirely different set of vows once I have her naked in my bed tonight.

Father Peter speeds through the rest of the ceremony like he’s just been injected with speed. Every time she tries to tug out of my grip, I hold her tighter. Finally, it’s over and he’s announced us husband and wife.

He glances at her with a pitiful smile before looking to me. “You may kiss your bride,” he says.

I step closer to her, capture her chin in my hand and push her head back until my mouth hovers over hers. The warmth of her breath hits me.

“Till death do us part, wife,” I whisper to her, then seal our vows with a hard kiss.

Chapter Thirteen

Kasia

Dominik is silent on the drive back to his house. Margaret took the second car with two of Dominik’s soldiers, leaving me alone with him and our driver. His brother left after the ceremony, giving me his congratulations and a feigned welcome to the family.

We make it through the gates of his estate within twenty minutes after leaving the chapel. The ceremony had been so short, the attendance barely notable. Not exactly what little girls imagine for their wedding days, but this isn’t a real marriage. This is a sham.

I look out my window and drag in a shaky breath. I can’t think this way. It brings a tightness to my chest when I consider how loveless, how empty my life is going to be. How it’s been.

Lost in my own pity party, I don’t feel the car park.

“Kasia, we’re home,” Dominik says, reaching his hand back into the car for me. I stare at it, the thickness of his fingers, the large palm. This is a man who can hurt me. He’s capable of such horror. And now he’s my own personal nightmare.

I place my hand in his and scoot out of the back of the black SUV. He doesn’t let go when I’m on my own feet. Instead, he holds me tightly and we make our way up the stairs to the house.

Margaret’s already inside. The kitchen light is on and I hear pots being moved around.

“Dominik.” I pull him to a stop once we’re inside. “I’m not hungry. Can you tell Margaret not to bother with dinner?” It’s late, already after eight o’clock. I’d rather just take a hot shower and sink into bed. Pretend this evening didn’t happen.

He stares at me with narrowed eyes for a brief moment, then gives me a small nod. “I’ll speak to her. You go upstairs. I’ll be right behind you.”

Feeling somewhat emboldened by his granting my first request, I move forward with another.

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