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“Make sure to smile at the altar. We don’t want our guests to think I forced you into this marriage.”

Giselle whipped around, glaring at me from where she sat on the vanity table, waiting for her makeup artist. If looks could kill, I’d be long gone by now.

Her perfectly arched brow shot up, and she frowned. “Are you going to stand there and pretend you didn’t actually force me into this?”

I played ignorant as I folded my arms and stepped toward her. It was our wedding day, and I’d almost died of a cardiac arrest today—twice, actually—just thinking of how beautiful she would look in her dress.

Giselle Rae was going to be fully mine today.

She was going to be my wife, the mother of my children, and not even the heavens would ever be able to come between us. I was going to make sure of that.

“Did I?” I nodded to the sparkly diamond ring I’d given her for our engagement, which was only a week old. “You looked happy when I slid that into your finger.”

Her cheeks turned red with a blush, but she didn’t back down. “Is that what you tell yourself at night, Andrei? You tell yourself I must be happy with this marriage because I accepted the ring.”

I nodded, smiling as her frown deepened. “Yes. And guess what? I don’t just tell myself that. The thought of it helps me sleep well at night.”

She rolled her eyes and sighed. “If only everyone could be as delusional as you.”

“I’m not being delusional, solnishko . I’m laying my claim on what’s already mine.”

I’d laid my claim on her since the first time I saw her at that funeral. I knew right then and there that I wanted her, and I was going to do whatever it took to get her. The pregnancy scare only intensified my need to make sure she was bound to me.

“Whatever.” She waved her hand, the ring glinting in the overhead light. “Don’t forget I only agreed to this marriage because you promised to help me find the people responsible for my father’s death.”

I’d made that promise, and I was going to keep it.

Contrary to what she thought, I’d not only decided to marry her to fulfill my own needs and possessiveness. I’d done it because it was the best decision I could make to keep her safe.

Without this marriage, she was just the girl who had a clue about the shipment everyone was trying to lay their hands on. To the outsiders, she would be nothing but my prisoner and an easy target for them to track down and use to their advantage.

But Andrei Yezhov’s wife, even the sound of her name, would make our enemies tremble with fear. Only a madman would try to get their hands on her, knowing what I was capable of doing to them for touching what was mine.

It was now also legally my responsibility to find her father’s killers and help her get her revenge on them. Plus, keeping her close came with its own advantage; she would have no choice but to help me find the Tyfun-1.

Our marriage was all pros and no cons.

Egor wasn’t going to be overly excited about this, however. He had been concerned that I would get distracted, but I reassured him that wouldn’t happen.

“You have my word.”

A skeptical look fluttered in her eyes as she watched me, but she didn’t protest. “And my mother…I don’t want her to find out about this wedding. She won’t take the news too well, so I plan to visit her in Oregon and explain things to her after all of this is over.”

“I already made sure of it.”

“Thank you.” Her eyes were cloudy with sadness. “I always thought Dad would walk me down the aisle, and we’d at least have a dance at my wedding. Now look at me, getting married only weeks after his funeral and not having even my mom or best friend present.”

A lump formed in my throat to her sadness. She was supposed to be happy today—as happy as I was.

I couldn’t make her wish come true. I couldn’t bring her father back, but I was going to find the people who took him away from her and make them pay for what they did; that was a promise.

She exhaled loudly, and her tongue darted out, swiping over her lips. “The wedding is starting in an hour; you need to leave.”

I raised my shoulders, completely clueless as to why she was asking me to leave.

She hissed, “You’re the groom. You can’t see the bride while she gets ready for the wedding. It’s tradition.”

I threw my hands up, feeling defeated. “Fine, I’ll leave. I already know you’ll look gorgeous in that wedding dress anyway.”

I winked at her, and she shook her head.

A smile curled on my lips as I left the room.

***

Beautiful.

Jaw-dropping.

Stunning.

Those three words didn’t hold a candle to Giselle’s beauty as she walked toward me, beaming with a smile.

Her gown flowed around her like a wisp of cloud, the delicate lace clinging to her curves. The sunlight glinted off the intricate embroidery, making her look ethereal.

Her dark hair cascaded in soft waves, a veil draped over her shoulders, but it did nothing to hide the radiance of her face.

Breathtaking.

That was the only word I could use to describe her. Nothing compared to her beauty today, not even the afternoon filtering through the delicate canopy of flowers arching over the altar or the bouquet of white roses she was holding.

Absolutely nothing.

Rows of white chairs lined the aisle, each adorned with soft, cascading blooms, their fragrance sweet in the gentle breeze. Birds chirped in the distance, their melodies mingling with the soft strains of a violin, playing a slow, haunting tune.

Everything was perfect, but none of them outshined my wife-to-be.

A possessive surge of desire and pride roared through me as I stretched out my hand.

Her emerald eyes locked onto mine, her smile fading a little. She peered at my hand for a moment as if reconsidering, as if realizing there was no going back the moment we said our vows on the altar of roses.

I could hear the whispers among our guests, who were mostly just members of the Bratva and their wives. I knew what they were all thinking. Some of them thought I was making a mistake; a few others guessed I was forcing Giselle into this, but their whispers didn’t matter.

All that noise faded behind the scenes as I waited for her to take my hand.

And she did.

Her hand felt small and soft on mine as she took it, and I led her to the altar.

The officiating priest smiled at us and began a sermon about how finding a good wife was equivalent to finding a treasure.

I didn’t pay any attention to him or his sermons. All I could focus on was the beautiful woman standing beside me—the woman with whom I was going to share the rest of my life.

When it was time to exchange our vows, Giselle turned to me and exhaled a shaky breath. She was nervous, and it was obvious enough for a blind man to see.

“Do you want to repeat after me, or do you have your vows prepared?” the priest asked, his gaze bouncing between us.

“I’ll say my vows,” Giselle answered. She inhaled one more time, and, looking into my eyes, she began, “I vow to stay by your side, to be your strength and confidant.” She paused, and her throat moved as she swallowed. “To honor you, and to never betray you no matter what happens.”

My jaw tightened as she said her vows. She’d carefully chosen her words to affirm her loyalty to me while carefully avoiding anything that hinted at love or affection for me.

Still, a part of me was relieved that she wasn’t lying and putting up a front just to win my trust because if a day ever came when she’d tell me she loved me, I would know that she truly did.

It was time for me to say my vows, and I didn’t hesitate. I didn’t mince my words or try to play games. I took her hand in mine, caressing the back of her hand with my thumb.

“I, Andrei Yezhov, vow to dedicate the rest of my life to you, Giselle Rae,” I started, peering into her emerald eyes, even as they shifted nervously. “I promise to protect you, to love you, and be your source of strength. I’ll stick by your side through thick and thin, and I’ll never let you go, no matter what happens.”

Her lashes fluttered, and scarlet tainted her cheeks. She didn’t pull away from me despite the hitching of her breath.

The priest gestured for the rings, and Dimitri walked over, opening the box.

Taking hers first, I slid the diamond-encrusted band onto the finger on which she already had her engagement ring.

For some, a ring was a symbol of love and partnership, but it was different for us.

It was a symbol of possession, a reminder that she now belonged to me—that she was now fully mine.

She took mine, and her hand trembled as she slid it onto my finger. Her eyes shone with tears, but they were not because she was sad or anything; they were from longing for someone.

I knew she was thinking of her father, wishing he was here to witness his little girl getting married.

I reached out, wiping her tears away and smiling. If her father could see us, I hoped he was cheering us on because I meant every word I said, and I was willing to die if that was what it took to keep her happy.

“By the power vested in me,” the priest announced, “I now pronounce you husband and wife.”

A thunder of applause exploded from our wedding guests, and for the first time, a small smile appeared on Giselle’s face.

I hoped her smile would be wider than that someday, and I hoped she would truly be happy. I would do anything to make sure of that.

The priest had a grin on his face as he turned to me and said, “You may kiss your bride.”

Before Giselle could react, I stepped forward, pulled her closer, and stole her lips in a passionate, sensual kiss, reveling in the thought that she was now mine.

She broke our kiss, trying to pull away, but I held to myself.

“You’re mine now, Giselle. Mine to protect, to love, and to torment,” I whispered into her ear. “Mine to fuck.”

***

The reception passed in a blur. I accepted congratulations I didn’t care for with champagne in one hand and the other hand around Giselle’s waist to mark my territory.

She played her part well, just like I’d taught her the night I took her to Antonio’s party. She smiled when necessary and nodded at the right times, but I could feel the tension and exhaustion in her posture.

When the reception party ended, I guided her inside, leading her up the staircase to the room—my room—which now belonged to the both of us.

The moment the door clicked shut behind us, she turned to face me, her arms crossing over her chest.

“I didn’t agree to share a room with you,” she said. “Remember what we discussed earlier: I only agreed to this so you’ll find the men that killed my father.”

I stepped closer, towering over her and resting my hands on the wall above her. “And I will.” I brushed my fingers along her jaw, tilting her chin up. “But this marriage is real, solnishko . You’re expected to share a room with me from now on.”

She swallowed hard, her pulse fluttering at her throat. I could see the war inside her, the way her mind tried to deny what her body already knew.

She wanted me. I’d seen it in the way she looked at me when she thought I wasn’t paying attention, in the way she shivered when my arm tightened against her waist at the reception.

“What if…” she gasped. “What if I don’t want to.”

“There are no what-ifs, my darling,” I whispered against the skin along her neck. “You’re mine in every way now.”

The air stilled, the world around us fading into nothing. The only sound in the room was the throbbing of her beating heart. The only thought in my head was this petite woman who already had me wrapped around her pretty fingers without even knowing.

My cock throbbed with need. Every fiber of my being yearned for her, to touch and feel her.

“I need to take a shower,” she suddenly said, sliding under my arm and hurrying off toward the bathroom.

I laughed at how nervous she was around me. She could deny her attraction to me all she wanted, but she couldn’t fool her body into not wanting what it wanted.

“Are you going to bathe in that?”

She stopped walking and turned around. “What?”

I smirked darkly as I strode over to her and turned her around. “Your wedding dress,” I answered almost inaudibly as I tugged on the zipper before pulling it down slowly.

Goosebumps spread over her body as my fingers brushed her skin. She’d stilled as if fighting her reaction to my touch.

After I unzipped the dress, I took my time to push the straps off her shoulders and watched the wedding gown slide off her and pool around her legs.

Desire crept into my veins like a flood, my lust surging through me at a pace that tempted the strength of my restraint.

My hands balled into fists as I struggled against losing control.

I held her from behind, pressing my erection against her ass so she could feel how much I wanted her, and then I cupped her breasts, fondling them.

She moaned, placing her hands on mine and collapsing completely against me. Her ass ground over my erection, her body growing warm with need.

I kissed her ear, exploring every part of her body with my hand. She moaned at every touch and leaned into every kiss.

Turning around to face me, she wrapped her arm around my neck and pulled me closer.

Her emerald eyes glinted with desire, and when she licked her lips, every part of my body jerked in response.

I had her now, yet I could feel my self-control slipping. My desire for her was no longer just lust; it was poison, and I was willing to drink every last drop of it.

I cup her cheeks, peering into her eyes for a moment before I leaned in and claimed her lips, kissing her slowly at first while I cupped her ass.

She kissed me back, moaning into my mouth.

Her hand moved from my neck, sliding down my back until she was grabbing my ass and fondling it.

I smiled against her lips. “You’ve grown bold, solniskho ,” I whispered.

She grinned, catching my lips between her teeth. “Isn’t that what you wanted? For me to want you just as much?”

“I would give my soul for that to happen,” I growled, sliding my hand between her thighs and parting her legs.

“Too bad that may never happen,” she rasped shakily, arching into me. “You already have so much control over me; it’ll be unfair if I yearned for you too.”

I grunted when I felt how wet she was—how badly she wanted me. A victorious grin spread on my lips. “It looks like you’re already crazy with need for me, solnishko .”

God.

How much did I want to get on my knees and lick every last drop of wetness between her legs? A goddess like her deserved to be worshipped, to be eaten like a last meal.

I didn’t mind if she was poison; I would die happily if it meant I dined with her and drank from her cup.

She bit her lips, her eyes wild with a fire only the thrust of my cock inside her could extinguish. “I don’t want you.”

I thrust a finger inside her, pushing up until I could feel it clash against the walls of her cervix. “But you need me,” I purred.

She moaned, her head rolling back and her hair falling over her face as I pushed another finger inside her.

“Fuck,” she breathed, her warm breath coating my skin. She held my arms, her nails digging into my flesh.

I started to pump her, burying my face between her breasts and giving them equal attention as I tweaked the nipples and fucked her with my fingers.

“You’re so beautiful, solnishko ,” I whispered, peering up for a second to enjoy the view before me. Her face had contorted with pleasure, her eyes closed, and her hair a mess.

If I could, I would frame this image of her in my mind forever.

Her moans grew louder as her climax edged, and my cock grew harder with the desire to be inside of her.

“Will you come for me, solnishko ?” I purred against her skin.

“Yea…” she rasped. “Yes. I’m coming.”

Her body tensed, her eyes rolling.

I didn’t allow her to come, though; I slid my finger out of her, replacing it with my dick as I drove inside of her slowly.

I grunted with pleasure as I pushed inside her, reveling in the way her pussy wrapped around my cock. She was so warm. So tight. So wet.

No woman I’d been with before her ever felt this good. Not a single one of them.

This wasn’t enough.

I pulled out, led her to the bed, and flipped her over onto it, giving myself a nice view of her beautiful ass.

She moaned when I spanked her, and my cock twitched at the way her ass recoiled in response.

Fuck. I was burning with desire for her.

I pressed my cock to her entrance from behind and thrust in.

She arched her waist, and I slid in even deeper, gripping her hips as I began to slam in and out of her.

Her ass cheeks clapped with each thrust, and my balls grew heavier by the second. The sensation of my cock sliding against her walls was divine, nothing but sheer pleasure shooting up my veins.

I’d never believe too much in religion, but I could swear this was heaven. It was my heaven to be buried deep inside her like this.

“Andrei,” she moaned, gripping the sheets and biting against the pillow.

A smirk tugged on my lips. “Do you like the way I fuck you, solnishko ?”

She groaned but didn’t reply.

I spanked her again, a little harder but careful not to cause her more pain than pleasure. “Tell me you like the way I take you,” I ordered, pounding her even faster and deeper.

“I like it,” she muttered desperately, her voice soft and sultry with pleasure. “I like the way you fuck me, Andrei. I love the way you make me feel.”

“Good girl.” I reached for her clitoris, teasing it with my finger as I pounded her from behind.

She arched into my touch, moving her hips to the rhythm and crying with pleasure.

I groaned at the way her ass bounced on my dick with each movement. “Fuck,” I groaned, feeling my balls get heavier.

Giselle tightened around me, and her moans grew needier than before. She clawed at the sheets and moaned my name. “Andrei, I’m….”

“Come on my dick, baby.” I thrust into her, deep and hard. “Come for me, solnishko .”

Her moans were reduced to a whimper for a moment, and then suddenly, a passionate scream ripped from her throat. Her body shuddered beneath mine, and her walls clenched so hard that the motion drew my own ejaculation from me.

I increased my pace as my climax built, grinding my hips against her ass until I exploded.

“Fuck,” I growled, pulsing until I emptied completely inside her. That was the best freaking sex I’d ever had. The best.

After I emptied, I rolled to the other side of the bed, taking her with me so that she was lying on top of me.

Her eyes were closed, her legs still trembling from the intensity of our lovemaking.

“Giselle.” I whispered her name passionately as I combed my fingers through her hair.. “Look at me,” I demanded.

Her thick lashes fluttered, her emerald eyes meeting mine.

My heart lurched in my chest. Every fiber of my being was drawn to this woman who was now mine.

Her existence and everything in it now belonged to me—her breath, her body, her life. Everything.

Would Peter approve of me for his daughter if he were alive? I wasn’t certain. He’d tried his best to keep her away from the mafia, and he’d done a good job until he decided to drag her into this ruckus before his death. I still couldn’t wrap my head around why he’d put her in harm’s way like he did.

But I was certain I was going to keep her safe.

No one would ever touch a hair on her head without my permission, no matter who it was.

I’d lived forty-one years, and this was the first time I ever truly wanted—needed—anyone the way I did. I wasn’t going to lose her to anyone for whatever reason. This was a promise I was making to myself.

She trailed a line along my chest. “What are you thinking about?”

“You,” I answered honestly.

She raised her head to look at me, her brows drawing curiously. “Me?” She huffed a laugh. “I’m right here with you. Why would you be thinking about me?”

“Because you’re mine now, and you will be for the rest of your life,” I purred into her ear, brushing my thumb across her lips. “Let another man touch you, and I’ll serve you his head on a platter.”

She giggled, her eyes lighting up. “That won’t be necessary. I’m yours, Andrei.”

“You’re mine.” I cupped the back of her head and pulled her closer.

She licked her lips, and a blush crept up her cheeks. She looked so innocent, fragile, and pure—everything that I wasn’t.

I inched closer, pressing my lips against hers before I claimed them in a passionate kiss.

If she thought I was done with her, then she was wrong because I hadn’t even started yet.

Tonight was going to be long.