Page 27 of Bought & Bred By the Bratva

I break apart again—louder, rawer, ruined.

He comes with a low, vicious groan, pulsing deep, still watching me through the mirror like he’s memorizing every second.

—-

Aleks lifts me off the vanity like I weigh nothing.

Gently turns me, lays me on the lounge like I’m fragile glass.

Then kneels in front of me.

Smooths my gown back into place, one button at a time. Kisses my stomach. My hands. My lips.

“You good?” he murmurs.

I nod, voice wrecked. “Yeah. I’m so good.”

He glances at the wrinkled hem. “You said this was a loan?”

“Yeah…”

He stands. Tosses his black card onto the table. “We’re buying it.”

“Aleks—”

“Tailor it. Clean it. Frame it for all I care,” he says, kissing my forehead. “It’s the dress you came in while looking at me.”

I laugh—weak and blissed out. “You’re such a menace.”

His grin is slow and wicked. “And you love it.”

“I do.”

He lifts me into his arms like I’m weightless and made of gold.

“Let’s go home,” he murmurs. “I want to do it again. This time with you on top.”

Chapter 16

SIERRA

The chapel is stupid beautiful.

Like, “is this even real life?” kind of beautiful. Floor-to-ceiling stained glass. Fresh white roses everywhere. Gold-trimmed pews that probably cost more than my entire childhood. And at the very front, Aleksander Maksimov—six-foot-three, broad as hell, terrifying and breathtaking in a black custom suit that hugs his body like it was sewn onto him.

And he’s staring at me like I’m the only person in the world.

Which is kind of wild, considering the chapel is packed. Bratva royalty. Billionaires. Celebrities I’ve only ever seen on TV. My siblings are seated in the front row, dressed in adorable little matching outfits, beaming like it’s Christmas morning. My best friend Tisha’s holding back tears.

And right behind them?

Ioann. My ex.

And my parents.

Aleks demanded they attend. Ordered them to sit, watch, and witness what it looks like when a man really loves a woman. Andbaby, I’ve never felt so honored, so wanted, so seen in my life.

Because I’m not just some pregnant girl from a one-bedroom apartment anymore.

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