Page 12 of Vengeful Promise


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Yuri led her to the massive oak double doors that would lead to the church. The procession started. Veronica wished her father was there by her side. They might not have been close but his presence would have been reassuring. Yuri would do, she reminded herself. In the end, she had her father to thank for this union.

His death had driven her to accept the only choice available to her—to marry a Bratva boss and preserve the Romano family line. Arturo’s passing also reminded her that the life she tried to live apart from the Familia had been a brief and passing fantasy, one she could not hope to return to again. So be it. There was no use crying over spilled milk. Finally noticing the crowd and unfamiliar faces, panic rose inside her. The bulk of the guest list was made up of Nikolai and her father’s allies and distant relatives. Complete strangers to her.

Veronica looked straight ahead, right at Nikolai. Her trepidation ebbed. Nikolai wore his public face today, she noticed. His warm smiles were reserved for private time with her. He offered her his hand and she took it. The priest began to speak but his words flowed over her.

Nikolai leaned in close to her ear. “Nervous?” he asked, completely ignoring the disapproving look the priest shot them. Nikolai gestured for the priest to continue. The man did and Veronica looked deep into Nikolai’s cold eyes, which warmed for a brief second.

Veronica could only nod.“It will be over soon,” Nikolai told her.

He was right. Soon enough, it was time to trade vows. A wave of relief filled her as Nikolai slipped a thick gold band on her ring finger. Veronica returned the favor. She kept thinking she would hear sudden shots or find a bloody red hole in her chest or her husband’s. Thankfully, nothing happened.

“You may kiss the bride,” the patient priest said.

Veronica forgot all about her fears as Nikolai suddenly gathered her close. The warm press of his body against hers made her relax. Nikolai then pressed a possessive kiss on her mouth. She clutched his shoulders, enjoying the heat he thrust down her throat. If he wanted to take her there and then, she wouldn’t think anyone would dare stop him. Nikolai released her mouth, gazing upon her like a hungry king, and she shuddered in anticipation. Veronica told herself to be patient.

They had photos to take, a cake to cut, and a dance to share. They posed for a few photos, before Nikolai gently pressed her back and led her out of the stuffy church and into a waiting limousine.

****

Nikolai wouldn’t wait for the wedding reception to be over. Veronica noticed him tapping his fingers impatiently on the table and placed a hand on his arm.

She smelled of jasmine and vanilla. Nikolai cupped her cheek, inhaled her glorious scent for a few moments, before taking her lips. Veronica responded to his kiss with equal passion. Nikolai clutched her bare shoulder, aware of how tight his trousers had suddenly become. When he pulled away, he was pleased to see Veronica looked a little flushed.

“Let’s go,” Nikolai said.“I need to be inside you right now.”

“We still need to cut the cake,” she murmured.“Be patient, husband.”

“Patience is not my strong suit,” he reminded her.

Nikolai glanced at their wedding reception. They held it outside, on the large grounds of a six-star hotel on the outskirts of the city. Veronica wanted an open setting. The scores of red and white roses surrounding the estate were a perfect fit to the their white and rose-gold wedding theme. It was all blue skies today, although even if it rained, tents would be erected so the guests wouldn’t be drenched.

“That’s not true,” she pointed out.

“Maybe when it comes to business I can show some self-restraint, but you’re a different matter entirely,” he said.

To that, she had no response but Nikolai could tell his remark pleased her. Since she would only have one wedding day, he might as well make it a day for Veronica to remember. He controlled himself, smiled pleasantly for the photos. Nikolai led her to the dance floor with leisure and acted the perfect gentlemen right up to a certain point.

Finally, Nikolai announced,“Thank you, everyone, for coming, but I will now be spirting my new bride away for some alone time.”

Cheers came from his men and some of his guests. Veronica blushed but took his offered hand. She looked puzzled when Nikolai didn’t lead her back to the hotel building but to a waiting car.

“Where are you taking me, husband?” Veronica asked.

Nikolai had initially told her he booked a suite at the hotel for their honeymoon. In truth, Nikolai had another surprise for her.

“You’ll see,” Nikolai said, holding the limo door open for her. He helped his bride inside, seeing as her skirts got in the way. Once in the backseat, Nikolai poured champagne for both of them.

“What are you doing?” he asked, unable to mask the amusement in his voice. Veronica showed him his back.

“Undo me. I want out of this dress,” she insisted. “The photos are no doubt beautiful and I’m satisfied, but this dress is uncomfortable as hell.”

“Language, dear,” he said.

Nikolai pressed a button on the console and raised the divider between them and the driver. Of course, all of his drivers were handsomely paid to be discreet. Nikolai looked at the windows behind him, satisfied to see two cars following them. Confident his new bride wasn’t in danger at the moment, he focused on Veronica. Nikolai tugged the zipper of her dress down, unveiling smooth and creamy skin.

“Seducing me so soon, wife? I haven’t even unveiled your surprise,” Nikolai said.

“I’m doing no such thing. I just want to change into something more comfortable,” she insisted. Nikolai flashed her a knowing smile and helped her out of the dress.

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
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