Til Death Do Us Part (Kornilov Bratva Duet #2) - Nicole Fox Page 0,14

my nipple and strokes my waist and grips my hip.

I bring my knees up and wrap my legs around him as he dives into me again and again, and when my orgasm comes, I bury my face in his shoulder, clinging to him with all of the strength I have left.

He falls not long after, his lips pressed to my neck, whispering words I can’t hear but can feel. They are his vows. His wicked, wretched vows, whispered in the throes of passion, and they mean more to me than anything he said in front of the witnesses.

When he is done thrusting, and his weight presses down on me, I curl my finger around his square jaw and draw his lips up to mine. Against his mouth, I whisper my own wretched vows.

I give him the only thing I have left to give: my trust.

4

Viktor

I left Molly’s late in the morning before Theo was set to arrive home with the nanny.

We slept next to each other all night and woke up together like any normal married couple— except, we weren’t married. Molly tucked her body against mine like a small spoon, nudging her hips back until I slid into her and took her gently like it was normal. Like we spend every morning this way.

Except, we don’t.

There are lots of reasons to maintain two apartments. My men won’t ask questions if we don’t give them reason to. Which is why we have to do the swearing-in ceremony.

When I told Molly about it the night before, she was hesitant.

“I thought we already said our vows,” she said.

“We did, but the ceremony is a chance for the Bratva to pledge their loyalty to you, as well.”

She frowned, a wrinkle forming between her brows. “Wasn’t the reception enough? They all seemed respectful.”

I shook my head and pushed a strand of hair behind her ear, ignoring the nervous flutter of her lashes at my touch. “This is how things are done. I want my men to view you as their queen. I want them to know that your life is as important as mine or Theo’s. You will be as good as blood now.”

“Won’t they be upset with you when they find out this is fake?”

The question plays in my mind again now as I towel off my damp hair and slip into a fresh suit.

The short answer is: yes. They will be angry.

The more complicated answer is that I hope they will never find out the marriage is fake.

My secret hope is that Molly will realize this marriage is more than just protection. I hope she’ll come to enjoy my company and decide to stay. If she does, we’ll file the paperwork and have a private ceremony all to ourselves. Outwardly, nothing will change, and my men will never know I violated a sacred Bratva ritual.

I know there is a possibility Molly will leave once this war is over. I know there is a possibility I’ll have to confess everything to my men and risk losing even more of their trust. But I can’t think about that now. Right now, the only thing that matters to me is keeping Molly and Theo safe. Even my allegiance to the Bratva has to come second—another thing I hope my men never find out.

Petr knocks on the bathroom door, pulling me from my thoughts. “I have to leave to set up. Are you picking up Molly or should I have the guards bring her?”

I know the men I have posted at Molly’s apartment are trustworthy, but I still can’t bring myself to let them drive her around the city. Especially before the ceremony has been performed.

“I’ll pick her up.”

“Okay.” Petr’s voice tapers off, but I don’t hear his footsteps walking away. After half a minute, I walk over and pull the bathroom door open to find him still standing there.

“What is it?”

He looks ashamed to have been caught, but then his shoulders slump forward. “I was debating whether I should say something sentimental.”

I raise a brow. “Like?”

“Like how you are not only my leader but my family,” he says, looking down at the floor. “And as my family, I’m happy that you are happy. I know this marriage to Molly is partly out of a desire to protect her from Fedor, but I know you care for her, and I’m happy for you.”

I clear my throat. “You’re right. That was sentimental.”

Petr runs a hand over the back of his neck and takes a step back from