Page 85 of Forgotten Vows

“You got two witnesses,” he said, pointing at himself and Gabriella. “We’ll find a priest somewhere around here.”

Gabriella gawked at him.

Ivan chuckled. “I wouldn’t be opposed if that’s what Raisa wants.”

Gabriella squeaked and turned her appalled expression to him.

“I’d rather have Lev here,” I said, trying not to laugh at Gabriella’s reaction.

Luka smiled and kissed her. “I’m joking.”

She spluttered. “Don’t you even dare!”

Watching them tease each other was cute, but I secretly didn’t mind Luka’s idea. If it would keep Lev safe, then yes. I’d committed to being with Ivan from the first night I’d met him. From the beginning, I just knew that he would be my first and last lover.

“I love you,” Ivan said as the other couple walked ahead, Luka poking fun at her yet.

“I love you, too,” I replied. “And I can’t wait to be your wife—however we end up tying the knot this time.”

He kissed me before Luka motioned for him to walk with him. A couple of Dubinin soldiers went with them as they spoke to the man in charge of security. Gabriella gestured for me to come check out something along the aisle to the side. “I just wanted to look at that stained-glass window closer.”

I went with her, knowing Dubinin men were here. We were still within view of the men, but that paranoia would always linger in me. Simmering and still-burning embers of being guarded was just something I’d have to live with.

“Ugh. That incense is making me nauseous,” she whispered, waving her hand in front of her face.

“Every smell is going to bug you again.”

Gabriella and I admired the artwork so high up on the wall, but before we could walk further away, I turned and didn’t see the men.

All I saw was a line of those nuns. Sisters. Whatever they were. With those long trailing habits covering their faces, they looked like statues.

Wait.

I perked at the clues I worried I was too late to notice.

They really were like statues. Big and broad-shouldered. Since when were nuns so ripped and tall?

I tensed as it all clicked into place.

That wasn’t only overly potent incense that bothered Gabriella. It was extra gross because it was mixing with men’s cologne.

These weren’t nuns. They were too close, sticking with us and forming a line to block us over here.

“Fuck.” I reached for Gabriella to urge her to run with me.

But it was too late.

A man’s hand shot out at me. The “nun” nearest to me grabbed me and spun me into a chokehold so secure and swiftthat I didn’t even have time to cry out for Ivan. I fought, bucking as I watched them grab Gabriella too.

In a blink of the eye, we were carried away.

Just like that, they’d gotten us.

Why her?

Why not just me?

Is this someone after her or me?