Til Death Do Us Part (Kornilov Bratva Duet #2) - Nicole Fox Page 0,54

to be tickled into happy tears by Viktor before we continue.

Finally, however, we are done with the family shots and the photographer’s assistant takes Theo to a play area in the middle of the room. Of course, they’ve prepared for the likely possibility that kids will need to be occupied during the photo shoots. While he is busy, Viktor and I are sent into back rooms to change into our final outfits.

The wedding dress Viktor got for me is the same silhouette as the one I wore on our actual (fake) wedding day, but one hundred times more extravagant. Bits of crystal are stitched all across a lacy material, and it hangs from my body like it was made specifically for me. The only difference is that the plunging neckline shows a bit more of my cleavage now that my breasts are larger due to pregnancy hormones. So, when I step out of the room and find Viktor standing in the hallway, his eyes go wide when he sees me.

I can feel his gaze like a physical touch, but I’m too busy devouring the sight of him in his navy-blue suit and crisp white shirt to feel flushed or embarrassed. All I feel is a bottomless kind of warmth deep in my stomach. He looks incredible.

“Beautiful,” Viktor whispers, holding out his hand. When I grab it, his fingers whisper over my skin like I’m something precious, and in this moment, I do feel precious. Cherished.

The photographer selects a set with fake flowers dripping from an archway and a pale pink sunset in the background. It feels like the background you’d stand in front of for cruise ship photos, but I am too focused on Viktor to care at all.

There are pictures taken of us holding hands and staring into each other’s eyes. Pictures of Viktor standing behind me, his arms wrapped around my body. He presses his palms against my stomach, caressing me and our unborn baby in a way that, no matter what happens, I’ll always treasure.

Then, before I can react, Viktor spins me around and dips me backwards. I let out a yelp, but it is lost when his lips press over mine, stealing my breath. My hand holding the bouquet drops back, limp, as my ability to move my own limbs is kissed out of me.

He nibbles my lower lip and tilts his mouth against mine in a way that is intimate and private and sensual … except, it isn’t.

After a while, the photographer clears his throat, and Viktor pulls away from me. I curl my free hand in his hair to keep him close, and he laughs, his breath warm over my mouth. “I think we got carried away.”

“Carry me away,” I say, giving him permission. “Far away. Right now.”

“Family shots,” the photographer says, clapping his hands and clearing away the sensual haze that had me almost letting Viktor ravage me in front of a camera. “You two look too good not to have the little guy in there with you.

Theo had on a pair of gray pants and suspenders for the last shot, so they are able to help him shrug on a small jacket and have him ready for these family shots.

“Go stand with your dad,” the photographer says.

Viktor opens his mouth to correct him. We’ve never formally discussed his role in Theo’s life, and we’ve certainly never told Theo Viktor is his dad. But before Viktor can say anything, Theo runs straight towards him, arms outstretched. When Viktor scoops him up, Theo yells, “Dada!”

I see the stunned joy on Viktor’s face, and I’m sure my expression is much the same.

Viktor kisses his cheek and then wraps his arm around me.

“This feels real,” Viktor says, repeating my words from our argument the other day. Then, he says it again, squeezing me closer to him. “This feels real.”

I’m still swimming in the confusing feelings and joy and desire inside of me when there is a loud banging noise from the front of the studio.

The photographer frowns and turns towards the sound. I’m so wrapped up in my little family and the illusion of us standing in front of the fake backgrounds that I don’t turn towards the noise until the banging happens again, this time closer.

I look at the double front doors just as they burst open and a group of black-clad men comes pouring through them.

Instinctively, I reach for Theo. He is in Viktor’s arms, but Viktor gives him to me immediately, and then