Page 21 of Cruel Promise

The priest turns to me. “Do you, Ava Roberts, take Nikolai Petrov to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

I stare at the priest. “Can’t you help me?”

“Ava,” Nikolai says in a warning tone.

“Do you, Ava Roberts, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?” the priest repeats.

I’m not going to get anywhere with him.

“You’re mine,” Nikolai reminds me.

I bow my head. “I do, then.”

He places his finger under my chin, raising my gaze back up to his. “Don’t be so sad.”

“How can I not be?”

Without a response, he motions at Edmund, who approaches and hands over a ring. Nikolai takes it and slips it onto my finger. As with everything else, it’s a perfect match.

He covers my hand with his own, claiming me once more. I’m truly Nikolai’s now. It doesn’t matter if I married him under duress. Something tells me a man like Nikolai can get away with anything.

The church doors open, and multiple men, all in motorcycle jackets, enter.

“What are you doing here?” Nikolai demands.

The man in front, who’s handsome in a rugged way, spreads his arms out wide. “We wanted to wish you congratulations.” He pulls out a gun, and Nikolai immediately pushes me behind him. The priest takes off running. Edmund remains by his employers side.

“You killed our president,” the front man says.

“I made you president, Maxim, and this is how you repay me?”

“This is a warning. I won’t kill innocent people. But you, Nikolai, I’m coming for you.” He motions for his men to follow, and they all leave the church.

I let out a slow breath. “Who was that?”

“Nobody who matters. Come on. We should get back home anyway.”

“Why?”

He gives me a long, hard look. “Because it’s our wedding night, Ava.”

My body turns to ice for just a moment before I turn and run. He chases and grabs my arm. “Please, no. I can’t do this. I said yes to marrying you, but I can’t do this.”

He places both of his hands on each of my arms, forcing me to look at him. “You will get ahold of yourself. You are mine now, Ava.” He lets me go and puts his finger back under my chin. “I know you’re afraid. I don’t blame you for that. But I have a code: I don’t hurt women. I won’t rape you if that’s what you’re thinking. But you will spend the night in my bed. Is that understood?”

As he speaks, his voice and breath flows over my face, and I find it strangely soothing. Just for a second, I lean into his touch.

And then I snap out of it and pull back with a nod. “I understand.”

“Good. Let’s go home.”

Mrs. Brown and Claude are waiting in the entryway when we get back.

“Congratulations!” Mrs. Brown exclaims, which just upsets me more.

“There’s a wedding cake in the kitchen,” Claude tells us.

“I’m not hungry,” I say as Nikolai says, “That sounds wonderful.”

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