Page 36 of Claimed By Desire

“I know this is crazy, but I have to do it.”

“You really don’t. I get it, she’s pregnant, but I doubt Adriano will even care.”

“I care.” My jaw works and I want to say more. Lev’s a good man, but he doesn’t understand honor like I do.

I thought when Natalya came to me that the right thing was to let her go through with the Bratva’s plans for her. I thought I should be the dutiful soldier and put my own pride to the side.

But now I see it’s never been about me.

This is about the baby.

I don’t know how the Italians will react. They’ll figure out that the child isn’t Adriano’s sooner or later, and I can’t guarantee my baby’s safety. Even if they don’t hurt my child, they might treat them like shit just because they’re not blood-related, and I couldn’t live with damning my own baby to a life of hell just because I’m not ready to do the hard thing.

I’m stepping up because I know I’ll take care of that kid better than anyone else can.

But as I move to push open the sliding door, I spot Natalya step into the hallway. Her hair’s up and some stray wisps hang down around her perfect oval face, and my breath gets swept from my lungs again.

I’m doing this for my baby—but I’m also doing it for her.

God, she looks beautiful.Perfect,really, a perfect fucking bride. She glows in her dress and seems to float as she awkwardly greets the priest, an old Russian man from a small Orthodox parish, a man that used to owe the family some money, but now all his debts are officially paid.

I’m doing this for my baby, because that’s the right thing to do.

And I can never admit that it’s also because I wanther.

Because if I ruined this alliance and potentially started a war out of pure selfishness?—

I don’t know how I could live with myself.

That’s not the man I want to be.

“Sorry, Lev, I got to go.”

“Wait, hold on. There’s got to be another way. Alex, don’t be fucking stupid. Let’s talk about it.”

I hang up on my friend and toss my phone aside as I step into the apartment.

I welcome the priest and help him get settled. There’s not a whole lot to do though, and we kill time by making strained small talk until the buzzer rings and Dasha comes inside.

She kisses both my cheeks. “This has to be the craziest thing I’ve ever heard,” she says, holding to my shoulders and speaking very quietly. “Are you sure about this?”

“Thanks for coming,” I tell her and steer her to the living room, which should be answer enough. “I think we have everything we need now.”

Father Gorbachev clears his throat. “This is everyone?” He glances from me to Natalya and gestures at Dasha. “Just the one witness?”

“We need to do this quickly, Father.” I pull Natalya over and make her stand across from me. We’re in front of the fire place in my living room. Dasha’s sitting on the couch looking even more nervous than I am while Father Gorbachev opens and closes his bible.

“I can, ah, speak an abbreviated ceremony.” He glances at Natalya. “If that’s okay with you?”

“That’s fine, Father.” She’s looking anywhere but at me.

“Very good then. Please, hold hands.”

Natalya’s palms are dry and warm in mine as the old priest says the words. He skips over nearly everything and walks us through the vows. I say them without hesitation, and my voice doesn’t tremble. The idea of being Natalya’s husband doesn’t scare me—and neither does becoming the father of our child.

When it’s her turn, she stares at the floor the whole time.

“By the power vested in me by God, you are now husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

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