Page 23 of Forced By the Bratva King

The congregation was just a few people: Artem’s family—his brother and cousins—a couple of his men, and a few other relatives. He made sure the wedding was quiet and simple, and so it was.

The priest’s voice prompted me back to reality. “…for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part?”

I froze at this point. My heart was racing, and my breathing was becoming thinner with each passing second. If I said those words, I’dbesellingmy freedom to this man.

My mind was a tug of war as several thoughts overlapped all at the same time. It was too much, and I felt like I was losing my sanity. I wanted so badly to say the opposite of the words required of me, but I knew better, thanks to Irina.

I stole a glance in her direction, and she subtly nodded at me, mouthing, “You got this.” A thumb was discreetly raised to buttress her words, and the smile on her face was encouraging.

I returned my gaze to Artem, who was watching me with a blank expression. I couldn’t afford to mess this up; if I did what was on my mind, I’d be as good as dead. Irina had made it clear that Artem was marrying me to save my life.

Considering what I witnessed, by the law of the Bratva, I should have been killed on the spot, but Artem hadn’t done that. Now, this wedding would make me his wife, and according to Irina, the union would make me untouchable—immune to the law of the Bratva that required my life.

He was basically doing me a favor, but why?

The priest cleared his throat conspicuously to draw me out of my thoughts.

I heaved a sigh, accepting my fate as I answered, “I do.”

“With the power vested on me, I now pronounce you husband and wife,” the priest said, and a round of applause erupted from the congregation. “You may now kiss the bride.”

Oh, fuck! I'm not ready.

I was way too anxious at the moment, and the voices in my head wouldn't quiet. This was unavoidable, but I was wishing right then and there that the kissing part could be skipped; although, deep down, I was anticipating it, fear and anxiety had completely taken over.

Artem drew closer to me and took my breath away when he planted a smooth kiss on my lips. My eyes were shut, and ironically, the feeling of our lips pressing against each other was more sensational than I had imagined. I didn’t realize that I’daccepted his tongue in my mouth, and soon, our heads moved to the rhythm of the spark between us.

Fuck! This is good. He’s such a good kisser.

I tried to shake off the thoughts that followed his kiss, thoughts of us being intimate in bed tonight, but I couldn’t. The images kept flashing in my head because it was expected to happen; I mean, we were officially married. Nothing was holding him back. He’d take me anytime he wanted; that was a fact. It was only logical that I prepared my mind for the inevitable.

He pulled away from me, but my eyes were still shut, my head hanging forward, not wanting the kiss to end. It wasn’t until I opened my eyes that I got a grip on myself.

We locked eyes, and he smirked at me, probably enjoying how my body tensed. He leaned closer and whispered into my ear, “I bet you’re wet already.”

I scowled at his arrogance, but he wasn’t entirely wrong. I’d felt something during the kiss, a spark that ignited a burning desire in me. There was a tingle between my legs and a sensation on my nipples. I should not have felt this charge of electricity, but his attractiveness didn’t help at all.

How did he manage to make me feel this way with just one kiss? Now, I’d forgotten about the current situation; all I could think about was that kiss.

Get a hold of yourself, Sierra. He’s a monster, and you can’t feel this way about him,I reminded myself in an attempt to regain control of my thoughts.

He might be a monster, but he was a monster that I’d married.

Artem had a grin on his face that was both infuriating and hot at the same time. I hated the fact that he knew the kiss had messed me up, and he was fucking gloating at me. It was embarrassing, but I had to play it cool.

He took my hand, and we both faced the congregation.

I forced a smile, slightly waving at Irina as she stood in the front row, clapping for the newlyweds. I stole a glance at Artem, the handsome yet cruel man I’d married. He was focused on the cheering congregation, his fingers interlocked with mine.

Why is he going through all of this just to save my life? Why’s he generous with me?

I despised him for taking me against my will, but these questions wouldn’t leave my thoughts, and I wondered what the answers might be.

**********

Later that night, after the ceremony, Irina took me to my new room in the mansion. The door opened, and we both walked into the expansive space with amazing interior decor. Fancy lights adorned the walls and ceilings—even beneath the giant bed—their soft glow enveloping the space. Portraits were hanging off the walls, a big closet stood in a corner, and a couple of pieces of state-of-the-art furniture were placed strategically.

“It’s beautiful,” I confessed, admiring the interior.