Page 1 of Mafia Prince's Secret Baby

PROLOGUE

KATYA

It’s not every day that one of my brothers gets married. I watch the altar where Nikolai stands, his face practically glowing. He’s never been this happy. But how could he not be, when the love of his life is standing next to him, ready to promise him forever?

Katarina is pure elegance, a vision in white silk. Her blonde hair is meticulously curled and pinned in place, a delicate tiara perched on top of her head. It’s probably crafted from the finest crystal, refracting the chandelier light into soft, multicolored halos that dance across her skin. She looks otherworldly.

A tear sneaks past my defenses, and as I swipe it away, my gaze locks on Igor.

Damn him.

Katarina’s brother catches me looking and winks at me, his lips curving into a devilish grin that’s both infuriating and ridiculously sexy. It’d be easier to ignore him if he weren’t so unfairly good-looking. But Igor is the kind of man who has only gotten hotter—and cockier—with age. Now, with his rugged features sharpened and solidified into a masterpiece, he carries an ego to match.

My brothers have warned me about him. They’ve told me stories—how his womanizing, swaggering ways nearly ruined Nikolai and Katarina. That he’s selfish, dangerous, and cruel.

But my brothers are cut from the same cloth. If there’s evil in this world, it was forged by the hands of our fathers and passed down to all of us. So, really, why waste my energy obsessing over Igor’s flaws?

What I can obsess over is the fact that he’s hot as hell.

It’s important to appreciate beauty, especially when it’s staring back at you with a smirk that practically screams,I’m yours for the taking.

There’s nothing wrong with having a little fun, right? My career as a lawyer keeps me busy, and I’ve had my fair share of one-night stands. And being with Igor? That could prove even more exhilarating—especially since it would piss off my overbearing brothers.

“You may kiss the bride,” the priest announces, his voice cutting through my thoughts.

The crowd erupts into applause as Nikolai pulls Katarina into his arms, burying a hand in her perfectly made-up hair. Their kiss is messy, impatient, and full of unrestrained desire. Elegant, it is not.

Oh, to have someone devour me with that kind of wild abandon.

On the other side of the altar, Igor watches me with that same infuriating smirk, his tongue dragging slowly across his teeth. Heat rushes up my neck, prickling my skin, but I drop my gaze, unwilling to give him the satisfaction of knowing how he affects me.

Except I can’t help myself. I glance back.

He catches me.

I gulp down a shaky breath as his lips curve into a slow, confident smile that sends a rush of heat through me.

Hot damn.

His eyes sweep over my dress—a sleek, formal gown. The way he looks at me steals my breath away.

My thighs clench as his smirk deepens, his teeth sinking into his lower lip in a way that shouldn’t be legal in the state of New York.

What the hell?

As Igor’s attention shifts to scan the rest of the guests, I’m left trying to steady my breath and ignore the fact that in the span of thirty seconds, he’s turned me on more than anyone has in a long time.

Of course, Vasiliy notices. My brother leans into Igor with a pointed elbow and whispers something I can’t hear, but it’s not hard to guess. Vasiliy saw that look, and he’s warning Igor off.

Naturally, that only makes me want Igor more. Because if there’s one thing I can’t resist, it’s defying my brothers.

Now more than ever, I want to know what it would feel like to have him buried inside of me.

There would be no consequences. No attachments.

Just one night, and then I’ll move on.

As the ceremony ends, Nikolai takes Katarina’s hand and leads her down the aisle. I follow, a string of bridesmaids trailing behind me. But as soon as we step outside the church, I slip away, craving a moment alone before the chaos of the reception begins.