Page 30 of His Disobedient Bride

The ceremony was a blur to me. All I could think about was Mary’s hand in mine, trembling like a leaf.

When it came time to kiss her, I lifted her veil gently, making sure not to rip or tear it. I bent down and dropped a chaste kiss on her lips. A quick kiss, barely a brush of the lips. She gave a little sigh as my lips touched hers, and that softness went right to my cock.

I would not push my darkness on her. Instead, I would shove it down deep, like I always did. Mary needed protecting, not rough handling. I had to get a hold of myself.

But when we were pronounced husband and wife, in English so Mary could understand, too, I felt a dark thrill of triumph.

* * *

At the reception, Andrei came up to stand next to me, handing me a glass of wine but saying nothing.

“What made you decide to get married?” he asked.

“Dmitri needs a mother,” I said, because I had no intention of telling him the real reason.

Andrei’s sharp eye flashed to my face.

“Interesting,” he said. “Because I could have sworn you always said you had no intention of getting remarried.”

I forced myself not to move my eyes from his face. “I changed my mind,” I said.

But Andrei wasn’t the most feared interrogator in Russia for nothing.

His eyes narrowed, considering me, his brain flicking through the possibilities.

Then he got up abruptly from the table, stalking over to where Cerise was talking to some of the guests. He put one big hand on the table beside her and said, “Come with me, wife.”

Then he flipped Cerise around to face him, his hands grabbing and twisting her dress.

He twisted so viciously that the fabric tightened around her body, making her gasp for breath.

Of course, no one dared to interfere. Coming between the Bratva Angel and his wife was dangerous.

Her face looked entirely unsurprised, but I could see her bite her lip.

Shit. Andrei had guessed the truth.

I could see his hands tighten on the nape of her neck as he led her firmly out the door.

* * *

I reminded myself that I was not like my nephew. Tonight would be my wedding night. I would behave with tenderness and consideration with my wife. I scanned the reception area quickly, but I didn’t see her.

I would behave with tenderness and consideration towards my wife.

Wherever she had gone.

I hoped she wasn’t hiding from me. There was no need to. I could control myself.

22

MARY

It’s my wedding day, and I’m sitting in an alcove in the hallway, tucked back in far enough that nobody can see me. I can hear the happy chatter of voices and clinks of silverware and glassware from my wedding reception as they drift down the hallway. I know I’ll have to go back and cut my wedding cake. But right now I’m hugging my arms to my dress, trying to control my panic. Frederik and the Petrovics are so powerful that the wedding had been full of people, all congratulating him and me. I wonder if they all can’t imagine why he chose me, just a plain, gangly American with pale skin and barely any curves.

Suddenly, I hear a rustling and a soft thump sound.

I glance up and down the hallway. It’s Andrei and Cerise.

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