Page 37 of Forced By the Bratva Beast

There’s no grand ballroom to exchange vows in. No, we are at the County Courthouse solidifying the fake bond we’re sharing so as not to disgrace his family traditions. The quickie wedding is a shock to his family, but his mother and father are in attendance. I’ve brought Ava for support and explained what I could to her. She’s still in disbelief, staring at me in the wedding dress the day of.

“You look so beautiful, but I never thought you would be the marrying type. Are you sure you want to go through with this? Can you not wait a little more?” she asks, slipping the veil down over my eyes.

“No. I wish I could. It’s Russian tradition. I think it’s going to be fine,” I lied, as she quietly stood by me as a friend.

“It’s up to you and it’s your life. I know you’re having a baby, but you can still study online. Can’t we go to the dean to tell him about what Chris did to you? Surely, he’ll understand.”

Hating to bring up what I’m losing out on, I let the tears roll down my cheeks. “Shit, I’m going to ruin my makeup.” Sniffing, I pat at my face underneath the veil as I stand in front ofthe floor-length mirror in my room in Andrei’s house. It’s lucky Ava has been cleared to enter the house in the first place.

“No. I can’t. You can’t. I’ve paused my studies for now, and I don’t know what Dr. Perri will do. It’s her brother, and Andrei really did a number on him. For all I know, he might have my name blacklisted from every US law firm there is.”

Ava scrunches her nose up, dressed in a soft champagne silk dress that works for her perfectly as my bridesmaid. It was the one demand Andrei made good on. “Then get Andrei to take you off it. If he has all the power you says he has, he can do it.”

She’s probably right, but it’s not something I can cope with. There’s been too many shocks to the system for me to deal with. “Later. I want to focus on delivering a healthy baby with ten fingers and toes. I can’t handle it.”

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. It’s just you’re my best friend, and I’m angry for you. Everything is so messed up. I want that Chris guy to go to jail,” she says nastily, adjusting the thin double strap of my embroidered cream dress. I refused to wear white. Andrei’s already taken my virginity, so there’s no need to pretend I’m this virginial woman getting married.

Now, Makar, his right-hand man, the celebrant, Ava, and his parents watch as we reach the end of the vows.

The Russian celebrant smiles fondly, closing his Bible. “You may now kiss the bride.” Andrei lifts the veil, looking very handsome in his suit, and to my surprise, it’s not black. It’s a slate gray in color, and his tie is red. Apparently a very Russian color to wear. I expect to feel repelled by his lips on mine, but I don’t. His hands rest lightly on my hips, his touch making me surrender. His lips are warm, reminding me of apple pie, and the first tender kiss he planted on me. It’s like going back in time to before I knew he was a Mafia boss. It’s more than nice, bringingthe sting of tears to my eyes because I’ve missed his touch more than I’ve cared to admit.

We sit at the desk signing the paper that will bind us together until death do us part, and this is where I catch up with his parents, learning more about them. They’re normal, and nothing about them screams “Mafia.” More so, they seem to be in love as a couple and very wholesome people.

Maybe I am naïve as Andrei said. We take enough photos for memories to be formed, and by the time we arrive home after a celebratory dinner, I’m ready to retire for the night.

“In here. This is my bedroom,” he says, guiding, as a knot gathers at the base of my throat. Sleeping next to Andrei every night is bound to be a dangerous affair. I make up my mind to delay him as long as possible, hoping he’s too tired to do anything. Stepping into the room, I notice it’s larger than mine, and he has a huge window overlooking the estate. You can see everything.

There’s no mess, and the room is tidy with everything in its place. “Is this my wardrobe?” I ask, stalling for time as Andrei nods, his tie loosened and hanging around his neck. He’s sexier than ever, and from the way his eyes are devouring me, I can read what’s on his mind.

“Yes, all yours. Open it.” Sliding the door open, I gasp, realizing it’s a walk-in wardrobe, but the most surprising thing is, it’s full already of beautiful dressy shoes, racks of clothes, and shoe boxes.

“What is all this?” Wide eyed, I pivot to Andrei’s huge, sheepish grin.

“If there’s anything in there that doesn’t fit or you don’t like we can go shopping together again. I want to start off onthe right foot and hold up the end of my bargain with husbandly duties. I promised to take care of you. There’s baby clothes as well, but I thought you would want a say in that.”

Floored by the kind gesture, I’m speechless. “This is too much.”

Andrei rakes a hand through his raven-colored locks. “No. It’s not. It’s nothing for me.”

“Okay,” I gulp, shutting the closet, finding it hard to fathom. “I’m… I’m going to get a shower and wash all this makeup and stuff off. It’s been a long day.”

“Yes. It has, wife. See you when you come out.” As he says the word “wife” tingles flow down my spine, but I can preserve what’s left of my dignity. I dig around under the his and hers sink, and behind the door checking where my pajamas are. Finding them in the wicker basket, I hold the cotton flannel to my cheek.

“Yes!” Starting with my earrings, I take them out, placing them in the small porcelain box. Next, I take off my necklace, studying myself fully. I look every bit the bride, my hair curled by barrel rollers underneath the lace veil. Setting it aside, I look at it with a melancholic smile. This is never how I wanted my wedding to be.

Peeling myself out of the dress, I hang it up on the hook behind the door, stepping into the shower, letting the hot water wash my fears down the drain. Once I get out, I feel almost human again, but I’m dreading the start of this new chapter.

I’m about to lay down as a bride next to a Mafia boss. What am I becoming? Tussling with my feelings, I slip into the most unattractive underwear, hoping it will steer him clear of me. Full briefs and a full cup bra with my full-length cotton pajamas.

It should do the trick. The slow pound of my heart creeps up on me as Andrei’s expectant gaze meeting mine from the bed. His eyes follow me as I attempt to head to the couch for a breather. His finger crooks, calling me. “Come forward,” he commands, the treble of his voice sending all kinds of warning signals to my body. “Take off your shirt.”

Standing in silent rebellion, I defy him, a battle of wills playing out between us. Andrei waits for a second as my fingers furl up despite the full closet of bribery. It’s one of the first thing Dr. Perri told me not to take when I’m a practicing lawyer. “No,” I float back in a whisper, noticing the flicker of desire in his eyes flourishing. The gentle caress of a smile tugs at his mouth, but second by second, I’m betraying myself. I have firsthand knowledge of what his lips taste like. The tenderness they can provide.

“I’ll ask you one more time, Sophia,” he replies silkily. “Take your shirt off for me.” His request sends a rumble deep in my belly, my pussy already aching from residual memory.

“Maybe I won’t,” I provoke, and the hard ridge of his jaw tightens, the warning light going off in his eyes.

“You made a vow. You’re my wife now, and this is part of your responsibility to me. I hold my end, and you—yours.” The bass in his voice is deadly as my fingers work a step before my head, unbuttoning my pajama top with shaky fingers until all that’s left is my full-cup bra.

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