Page 3 of Sinful Union

Vlad doesn’t push further, but there’s a lingering concern in his eyes. For now, I push it aside. There’s no room for doubt, not today.

“Come on,” I say with a smile. “You have a sister to give away.”

“Indeed I do. Let’s go.”

I grip Vlad’s arm tightly as we step into the hallway, my nerves twisting into a tight, merciless knot. My stomach churns, threatening to rebel, but I hold my head high. Despite my tough talk, I am scared.

My brother is right. There are all sorts of ways this plan could go awry.

But this is no time for weakness, not when I’m walking into the lion’s den, wrapped in white satin, pretending to be a willing lamb.

Vlad’s presence is steady beside me, his hand resting lightly over mine.

When we reach the entrance to the chapel, I pause. My grip tightens on Vlad’s arm. A faint murmur of voices filters through the wooden doors, and my breath hitches.

“It’s time,” he says. “Are you sure you want to do this? You could still play runaway bride and hightail it out of here.” He chuckles. “I’ll have to tell everyone I tried to stop you, though.”

I smile slightly in spite of my nerves.

“No. I’m going to see this through.”

“Well, in that case, good luck, sister.”

With that, he pushes the doors open.

The chapel is large and beautiful, but only one side is fully occupied. Most of my family did not approve of this marriage, and many refused to attend. The Fetisov family is out in full force, however, their gazes locked onto me, a sea of dark hair and ice-blue eyes.

I glance toward the altar. Pavel is standing there, tall and commanding, exuding power the way he always has.

His tailored suit hugs his broad shoulders before tapering down his lean, powerful frame. His dark hair is threaded with a touch of silver now, a feature that only adds to his appeal.

A wave of heat rushes through me, and I hate the way my pussy clenches at the sight of him, the wetness quick to pool between my thighs.

I hate the way my pulse quickens, the way my body remembers how his hands felt on me all those years ago. I recall keenly the way he felt inside, stretching me, filling me full, bringing me to orgasm again and again.

It’s been six long years. How does he still have this effect on me?

Piotr is standing beside him, playing the role of loyal friend, like the seasoned liar he’s become.

Six years of deception and carefully constructed lies have led to this moment. Piotr’s ability to wear his mask of betrayal, to laugh and drink with the man he’s about to deceive, has always impressed me.

I swallow hard, my hand gripping Vlad’s.

“You good?” he asks, low enough so that no one else can hear.

“I’m fine. Let’s go.”

I look around at the church architecture, the crowd, anything but Pavel. I can feel him watching me. The heat of his gaze seems to drag over my skin, and no matter how hard I try, I can’t stop the warmth creeping up my neck and blooming across my chest.

Damn him.

Why couldn’t time have been crueler to his looks? Why does he have to be so goddamn handsome, so perfect?

I grit my teeth, furious at the way my body reacts, at the heat curling low in my stomach.

This is the man who took everything from me.

My parents. My freedom. My chance at a normal life.

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