Page 67 of Viripotent

Being called beautiful is nothing compared to divine, add in calling me his wife and we’ve both been body snatched. Pinching Vlad’s thigh to see if it’s really him, I dig my nails into his skin to cause extra discomfort. His hand wraps around my wrist instantly and I’m even more fucking confused. He’s not a different person with the roughness coming back, but there’s no threat, and he’s being nice in his own devilish way.

The car comes to a stop, and he gets out first, following the etiquette to open my door for me. He even holds his hand out to me, and I hate the gloves stopping me feeling him fully as I take it. He’s gentle as he waits for me to battle the gown and he even straightens out the skirt of it once I’m stood beside him. But he doesn’t keep hold of my hand and puts his hand on my lower back under my veil. He makes three circles with his thumb before gently tapping against my spine as we walk into the ballroom to the guests that are already waiting. I don’t hear people’s congratulations or feel their lips touch my cheeks as he continues making the same pattern.

My body turns cold seeing Pavel head towards us and Vlad curls his hand around my hip protectively. I don’t know if he’stold Valentin and Vitali the little pieces of information I’ve given him, but they become a protective barrier around me. Even Viktor stands in front of me like it’s been orchestrated and Pavel backs away under the threat of all four Vartanovs.

Or five, I’m one too.

TWENTY-SIX

Vlad

Most grooms feel elated at their reception because they’re married. My joy comes from seeing Len unable to use his fucking hand. It changes course when Inessa floats back in, she should have kept the crown on her head to match who she truly is. She truly is beautiful, and it’s not due to the off-the-shoulder gown she’s wearing in all its fine silk and lace. She manages to make them look obscene and I’m glad she hasn’t removed the large veil from her hair. It gets twisted behind her as she walks, and I look from it to Anastasia, so she straightens it.

Remembering my gift, I wait for Anika to be stood in the right position as she plays happy mother-in-law with Inessa’s mother.I turn to Viktor, reminding him of his task and disguise my speech behind my tumbler.

“Have you told Inessa she looks pretty?”

His head whips around and he turns serious, whispering back, “Three big steps.”

Nodding discreetly, he slides off his seat and goes to her side with purpose. I can see him counting the steps on his fingers as he guides her away from fixing the problem.

I could make the shot with my eyes closed, but she’ll end up throwing a tantrum if I do and everything falls silent at the loud pop. Pavel rocks back, the clean shot through his forehead isn’t the same on the back of his head as the two women freeze, no longer fully dressed in white. There’s one less sick fucker in the world and I smile widely from my seat at the head table. I don’t meet any of the guests’ eyes as I hold up my tumbler and make a toast.

“May we all recognize the bride, za zdarovye.”

It won’t be difficult now that the women who shouldn’t be wearing white are covered in red and gray matter.

Valentin doesn’t visibly react and swallows his bitching with his drink as Vitali laughs, enjoying the entertainment.

“Only you would do this shit.”

The room comes back to life with murmurs as Misha and Dima instruct the guards to clean up my solution. I can already feel Inessa glaring at me, but I don’t turn in her direction and leave my gun on the table in case I get bored. We’ll have all night for all manner of her screams to come out and I wish I chose a death that exerted some energy.

Guns are lazy, they don’t have any strength behind them when any idiot can point and shoot. Pavel deserved a more gruesome end, but it is my wedding day, after all. Maximoff raises a glass in my direction, approving of what I did from his position at the bar and continues his conversation with Verelli. I’ve never stayed at a wedding beyond what was needed, and I know why now. They’re boring as fuck, and I wish I could go back in time to shoot Pavel in the head again.

Len walks towards me, already fucking drunk because he lacks control while his wife has disappeared. He stops in front of our table and Viktor pauses at Inessa’s side where it’s safe. She meets my eyes then surveys the suka before she guides the mostinnocent of us further away from this toxic asshole. His mouth opens, and he slams his unmarred hand on the table with pride.

“My son, don’t show weakness tonight.”

My brothers tense and try not to show their disgust as he makes no attempts to lower his voice.

“You must put her in her place, show her that strength for a successful marriage.”

I have no intention of raping my fucking wife. He leans into me, his nasty fucking liquor breath tainting the air as he lowers his voice, so it only reaches my ears.

“But the soul will be tainted, it always will be.”

His not-so-fucking-subtle reminder of Vanya has me pushing back in my seat and he has equal parts glee at the reaction and fear of his fucking life as I stand. My skin heats with every eye coming to me and I grab his shoulder, leading him away through a service door in the ballroom. The kitchen staff all pause, and my voice is pure threat.

“Get the fuck out. Now.”

Len squirms under my palm and I have the forethought to keep hold of my tongue until it all falls silent and there’s no living creature left to overhear. He’s shrinking due to age, I’m a few inches taller and I straighten my spine as I wrap my hand around his throat, so he knows he is fucking less. I’m not a child looking up at my opponent anymore. His mangled hand comes up, latching onto my wrist, but he doesn’t let any sounds escape him, it would be a weakness after all. The one thing he hates because of his own inabilities.

“You do not think about her. You do not say her name. You don’t even utter a single fucking syllable that is close to it. Am I understood?”

His nails dig into my wrist, and he attempts to strengthen his voice, but it comes out as a croak with my palm pressing into his windpipe.

“Dmitri will know.”

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