Page 57 of The Bratva's Virgin Bride

Viktor smiles and leads me out of the warehouse. We leave Martin to clean up the mess. I see Rigor, Roman, and Anton also leave. Getting into their own cars and driving off. Roman and Rigor to their wives and Anton, no doubt to have a drink. I sit in the back of the car with Viktor looking out the window.

“Are you okay?” he asks quietly.

“Yes, I'm fine. A little queasy but fine,” I admit. “It's really over now, isn't it?”

“That'll send a clear message to them,” Viktor says. “They'll back off from the Milov family. They know we're not backing down now, and we're not the family you want to fuck with.”

I smile softly. “No, we're not.”

Viktor kisses my hand and then plays with my wedding band. “Riley?”

“Yes, Viktor?” I look at him.

“I meant it, you know, that I would burn down this entire world to find you,” he says softly.

“I know you did. I would too,” I smile.

“I want to do this properly,” he continues. “I want to have a proper wedding with you in a beautiful dress, a party for our family afterward.”

“But we're already married,” I say. “Isn't it a bit redundant?”

“You deserve to have a special day. We'll make it the biggest and best wedding the family has ever seen.” He leans over and kisses me softly. “I want to gloat about my beautiful bride. I want wedding photos and a honeymoon where we spend every night in bed. I want us to have a fresh start. A proper start. I want your family to get to know me.”

I can feel tears welling up as I raise my hand to stroke his face. “You're so special, Viktor. Beneath all that scowling and toughness, you are truly a gentle soul. I want a wedding too, and a fresh start, plus a honeymoon sounds perfect.”

He leans down and kisses me again, and I return the kiss, deepening it. He clicks his fingers, and the visor that separates the back from the front rolls up, making me giggle. “Again?”

“Again,” he murmurs against my lips.

Chapter 27 - Viktor

I'm not nervous. Nothing makes me nervous.

I keep saying this to myself as I look in the mirror. I adjust my tie for the millionth time. It's a black tuxedo with a white tie. Riley wanted it that way. She says it makes me look incredibly sexy. I can't wait to see her dress. I don't know why this feels so different. I've married Riley before; granted, it wasn't as grand, but we're already married. This is just a formality, really. Maybe it feels different because my whole family is here.

“Stop fidgeting with your tie,” Anton says from his seat behind me. “It's perfect.”

“Easy for you to say,” I mumble.

“What's wrong, Cousin?” Luka asks from the drink station. “It's a little late to get cold feet.”

“I'm not getting cold feet. I wouldn't ever with Riley,” I argue.

“Leave him be,” Kervyn says as he walks in. “Come, Luka, let us take our seats. All the guests have arrived.”

“Luka downs his drink and follows Kervyn out. I look at Anton. “I can't do this.”

“We can make a run for it,” Anton says. “I can have the car running in seconds.”

“No, I want to do this. I just don't know if I can,” I sigh. “I feel confused.”

“You love Riley, right?” he asks.

“With all my heart,” I say. “But what if she doesn't like my vows?”

“She's going to love them. She's into that sentimental goopy shit,” Anton gets up and pours me a whiskey, bringing it over. “Down this.”

I do as I'm told, and he claps a hand on my shoulder. “Come, let's go get you married again.”

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