Chapter Fourteen
Alora
The cathedral sparkled like something out of a magazine. Every surface was draped in white, from the silk curtains that cascaded down from the windows to the columns wrapped in white roses and lilies that reached the vaulted ceilings. Crystal chandeliers hung overhead, casting a warm glow across the space.
It was like something out of a fairytale, although I couldn’t recall ever reading one about a former thief who married a mafia boss.
The room was filled with hundreds of people, but I only recognized a handful of them. Kreos had mentioned there would be politicians, business associates, and heads of various criminal organizations here. It was strange seeing these different groups of people come together in one spot. I guessed they couldn’t resist seeing the woman who’d supposedly tamed the wild beast. If only they knew how untrue that was, though.
There were armed guards everywhere. Some of them blended in as ushers, while others blatantly walked around holding guns. It was a clear reminder to everyone to be on their best behavior.
Kreos had promised me it was all very typical, and that there would be no violence. Nobody would dare disrespect us on our wedding day. I hoped he was right.
My heart pounded as I stood at the altar, praying I wouldn’t pass out. Dove stood to my left in a silver gown that made her look like an angel. I’d nearly bawled my eyes out when she’d shown up in my dressing room minus her typical hat. Instead, her blonde hair cascaded down her back in waves. I knew what it meant for her to take it off.
She felt safe.
Margot, Mira, and Bela stood next to her, all wearing matching gowns. The only person missing was Solene. She’d refused to come. My heart had broken a little when Mira had told me, although she tried to act like it wasn’t a big deal. Solene just needed time to adjust to my new life, she’d said. Some day I could explain all of this to her. But today was not that day.
Kreos squeezed my hand, and I let out a shaky breath, squeezing back. His entire presence commanded attention, and I couldn’t deny how unbelievably sexy he looked in his perfectly tailored black tuxedo.
I glanced up, finding him watching me intently. His gaze was piercing, the same familiar intensity that I feared and craved. Did he think I was going to run? The way he was holding on to my hand gave me that impression. A giggle escaped, and I bit my bottom lip as he raised his eyebrows with a smirk. I tried to convey with my eyes that I wasn’t going anywhere, but he refused to let my hand go.
Behind him stood Gavriil, looking stiff and unsmiling, as always. The rest of Kreos’ Vors stood by his side, all looking frighteningly handsome and lethal at the same time. They’d all nodded in appreciation when I’d walked down the aisle, a look of respect on each of their faces. It wasn’t lost on me that these men would give up their lives for Kreos, and now for me. I didn’t know how I felt about that.
Kreos’ parents sat in the front row, his father dressed in a crisp black tux and his mother wearing a red gown. She was decked out in diamonds and rubies, and if I didn’t know any better, I would have said she was trying to steal the show.
This was one of those times I missed my mom so much. Not a day went by where I didn’t think about her and her laugh. She’d been taken from me too soon. So had Jameson. I knew now wasn’t the time to succumb to sadness, so I glanced up, mouthing a quick “I love you” to the ceiling, and then focused my attention on the priest in front of us.
A collective murmur rippled through the room, along with a few chuckles, as Sasha strolled down the aisle. She was wearing a diamond collar with our wedding rings secured in a small pouch attached to it. When she got to us, she pushed her nose into our joined hands, and my heart swelled. I’d finally gotten the little monster to be nice to me, and it had only taken about twenty steaks. She sat down at our feet, the priest visibly gulping as she tilted her head to the side, watching him.
This was it. I was getting married to Kreos Zokrov. There was no turning back now.
The room felt entirely too warm, even though a shiver ran through me. Kreos leaned over, brushing his lips against my ear as he whispered, “If you’re thinking about running, just know I’ll chase you down and drag you right back.” There was a playful tone in his voice, so I knew he was trying to ease my nerves.
“Maybe I enjoy being chased,” I whispered, keeping my face neutral.
His hand tightened on mine as he chuckled. “That’s my good girl.”
My cheeks burned at his comment. Sometimes I hated how easy it was for him to send my mind and body into overdrive.
The priest cleared his throat, and we turned our attention to him. He began his sermon in a mixture of English and Russian, his voice echoing off the white stone walls. It was beautiful, but after a few minutes, I could sense the impatience rolling off Kreos.
“Marriage is sacred. It is a union of souls—”
“Father.” Kreos’ voice carried throughout the space. “While I appreciate the sanctity of this moment, if you don’t get to the part where I can kiss my beautiful bride, you and I are going to have a big problem.”
The priest paled as the room filled with laughter. “Of course, Pakhan. My sincerest apologies.”
Sasha barked, as if agreeing with Kreos, and I couldn’t help but laugh along with the others.
Kreos’ hand tightened around mine, his thumb brushing over my pulse. Heat spread through my body like wildfire.
“Do you, Kreos, take Alora—”
“I do.” Kreos’ voice was silky smooth and commanding, and I shivered as he stared deep into my eyes, as if trying to see deep into my soul.
“And do you, Alora, take Kreos to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
It was so quiet in the room I was sure everyone could hear my heart beating out of my chest. Time seemed to stand still at that moment. I was about to leave my past behind and accept my new future as a Pakhan’s wife.
“I do.”
I said the words with a certainty that surprised me. Why did it feel—right? All of this did.
Kreos’ eyes darkened with satisfaction as we exchanged rings. Without waiting for permission from the priest, he pulled me close to his chest. His lips pressed against mine softly, as if he was trying to be gentle, but within seconds it turned into something hungrier.
I pulled back, gasping for air. His gaze held mine, a promise in his eyes.
He was everything I should have feared, yet it was as if his darkness called to something equally dark inside of me. I belonged to him now. There was no doubt in anyone’s mind. I was his, just as he was mine.
The room roared with applause as we turned, holding our joined hands above our heads.
*** ***
The reception was held in a grand ballroom across the street from the cathedral, which had been transformed into a romantic paradise with ice sculptures and twinkling white lights everywhere. A string quartet played in the background as guests mingled. Security was just as tight, but more discreet. Grig and Tash were always close by, looking around the room and making sure no one got too close to me. I hadn’t missed the snipers on the roof as we’d walked over.
I could understand why. Kreos had said that every major family and organization had sent representatives to our wedding. Apparently weddings were the time to make deals and settle negotiations. I’d scowled at him, but he’d assured me he would do no business tonight.
He held me close as we made our rounds, his arm wrapped possessively around my waist. I was glad I’d listened to Bela and broken in my heels, because my feet were killing me after an hour of mingling.
We ran into Ivan, Kreos’ creepy cousin who had tried to touch me at the engagement party. His hand was now a prosthetic. Damn, he must have pissed off the wrong person. I could feel eyes on me, and I scanned the room, finding Katia giving me a death stare. I smiled from ear to ear. Her eyes widened, and she turned and faced the other direction.
I was starving by the time dinner was served, a combination of traditional Russian dishes and American. There were blini with caviar, smoked fish platters, and roasted chicken along with several different side dishes.
As the night went on, all I could think about was what was going to happen when we got home. Nervous didn’t even begin to describe it. I knew it was stupid. I’d already had sex with him once before. But this was different. We were married now.
The crowd gathered around when it was time to cut the cake, a sea of people parting to reveal not one, but two huge ones. Besides the traditional white cake stood a chocolate one.
Kreos’ hand covered mine as we cut through the white cake together. Then he guided me to the chocolate one, his eyes burning into mine, making my heart flutter .
“Try this one, kotic ,” he murmured, lifting a bite to my lips.
The moment the cake touched my tongue, time seemed to stop. Memories flooded back of me with my mom and Jameson, to us laughing and fighting over the last bite of the chocolatey goodness.
My eyes flew open to find Kreos watching me intently, a look of satisfaction on his face.
“How?” I whispered, my voice trembling. “This is… impossible. The diner’s been closed for over fifteen years.”
“Nothing is impossible for me, Alora.” His thumb brushed away a tear I hadn’t realized had fallen. “I found the owner’s granddaughter. She still had her grandmother’s old recipes, and when I told her what this would mean to you…” He trailed off. “She made this cake especially for you, and now Vlad has the recipe as well. You can have it whenever you desire.”
I became a crying mess, tears freely falling. This man who struck fear into the hearts of his rivals had just done the sweetest thing in the whole entire world. He hadn’t just given me chocolate cake. He’d given me a connection to my mom. It was like she was in the room with us at that moment.
“Kreos,” I breathed, reaching up to touch his face. I traced my finger along his bottom lip, and he bit down gently, making me gasp.
“I’m here to make you happy, kotic . All your tears, all your smiles, they all belong to me now. Just like you do. Forever.” His hand wrapped around the back of my neck, tugging me closer. “And when we get home, I’ll show you exactly how I belong to you, too.” There was a wicked glint in his eye, and suddenly I wanted nothing more than to get the hell out of there.
The surrounding crowd clapped as the music played, and I groaned into his chest, knowing they were expecting us to dance.
He chuckled, brought my hand to his lips and kissed my knuckles. “Patience, milaya .”
I let him lead me out onto the dance floor for our first dance, which turned into two, which then turned into me dancing with Dove, Margot, and Mira. As the evening progressed, I noticed Gavriil and some guests sneaking away into a back room for what I assumed were business meetings. But Kreos kept his promise, and all his attention stayed on me the entire night.
*** ***
It was well after dark by the time the limousine brought us through the iron gates of the estate. I gasped at the sight in front of us. Dozens of men lined the staircase that led to the mansion’s entrance, each wearing a silver-plated wolf mask with Slavic patterns carved into the metal. They all wore black suits with red gloves, and each held a drum in their hands.
“What is this?” I whispered to Kreos.
His chest puffed with pride as he took my hand and helped me out of the car. “They’re here to welcome their queen home.”
Kreos and I took our first steps up the stairs, and the drumming began, startling me. Each man beat their drum in perfect synchronization as we walked up the stairs, the sound vibrating through my entire body. It felt primal, powerful, like one giant heartbeat.
At every third step, the men’s voices rose as they shouted in unison, “Protect, honor our queen.”
Chills ran through my entire body, and I gripped Kreos’ hand, hoping he wouldn’t let me go. The drumming became more intense as we got to the top, where a group of masked men kneeled, bowing their heads. “We pledge our lives to you, Mrs. Zokrova,” they chanted.
Kreos wrapped his arm around my waist, turning me to face the men lined down the stairs. “Welcome home, kotic ,” he whispered into my ear, his voice full of pride.
As the front doors swung open, Kreos lifted me into his arms and carried me over the threshold. The drums erupted into a thunderous rhythm so loud I thought the entire mansion was shaking.
He took the stairs two at a time, and I couldn’t stop the laughter that spilled from my lips. When we reached our room, he kicked the door open, setting me down at the foot of the bed. My gaze followed him around the room as he shut the door and peeled off his suit jacket.
This was it. I was going to have sex. Nothing to be nervous about. It wasn’t like I hadn’t done this before.
Well, only once.
And it had been with him.
Oh, God, what if he was expecting an experienced lover? I mean, he hadn’t seemed to notice my lack of experience last time, but now… this was completely different. Sure, I’d fooled around before, but when you were focused on surviving and not being homeless, sex was the last thing on your mind.
“Kreos.” Butterflies danced in my stomach. “Um, just so you know, I haven’t really done this before.”
He quirked an eyebrow as he took off his cufflinks .
OK, I was going to have to spell it out for him.
I cleared my throat. “I’ve only had sex once.” Heat welled up from my chest to the tips of my ears. Could this be more embarrassing?
He froze, his eyes darkening as he processed what I said. “Only once? With me?”
I nodded, my hands balling into fists at my sides. “I just wanted you to know, in case… you know.” Please let the floor open up and swallow me. “In case you were expecting something… I’m not that experienced.”
He reached me in three strides. My eyes widened as he walked me backwards until my back pressed against the wall. His dark blue eyes searched mine—for what, I didn’t know, but there was a possessive look on his face that I’d never seen before. I shivered as a chill ran down my spine.
“Then I will be your one and only. Forever. In this life and the next.” His lips crashed against mine, our teeth and tongues colliding as he devoured my mouth.
He pulled back a moment later, pressing his forehead against mine. Our breaths mingled, both of us panting as we held onto each other. His finger grazed my cheek, down to my lips. “I will never let you go, milaya . You’re mine.”
Instead of answering him, I reached behind my back and tugged on the zipper of my dress. It fell with a whoosh at my feet. Next came my bra and panties. There was no feeling of shyness now, just need.
I reached up and unbuttoned his shirt. He watched me carefully as I undid each button, letting his shirt fall to the floor. I bit my bottom lip as I traced the muscles of his chest, down to his abdomen.
They had warned me he was a monster, the Devil himself. But no one had warned me that the Devil could make your heart race with a single glance. That a few whispers into my ear could bring me to my knees.
I’d had a plan to use him so I could be free. But at that moment, that was the last thing I wanted. I held his gaze as I tugged at his belt and undid his pants. My nails dragged softly up his back as I pressed my lips over his heart, kissing the only place on his chest that wasn’t tattooed.
He groaned appreciatively at my touch, sending a thrill through me. I wanted to know every sound he made when he was turned on. What his body felt like when he was going to come. How his muscles tightened under my hands as I made him lose control.
I kissed my way down his chest, licking and nibbling as I went. He loved to mark me with his teeth, and now I was returning the favor. My teeth grazed across his abdomen as I lowered to my knees. He growled low in his throat when I pulled his cock out, stroking him once, twice. He was so big, I could barely fit my fingers around him. How that had fit inside of me, I had no idea. But I couldn’t wait to try again.
“I want to taste you,” I murmured, stroking him up and down. His eyes were half-lidded with lust as he weaved his fingers through my hair, making me gasp.
“Such a good fucking girl, on her knees for me.” His voice was gravelly, as if he was barely hanging on by a thread. “Show me, kotic , show me how happy you want to make me.”
I moaned at his words, my tongue coming out to lick the tip of his cock. He tasted just like I’d imagined. I wrapped my hand around him as I took him in my mouth. He was gentle at first, going slow as I got used to his size. My tongue swirled as I moved my head up and down his cock, pumping him with my hand. I was rewarded by a guttural moan a second later, his fingers tightening in my hair.
“That’s it, my love. Take my cock like a good wife,” he commanded.
I squeezed my thighs together at his words, whimpering around his cock. Evidence of my arousal was already soaking my thighs. I craved his touch, needed it. But right now, I was only focused on his pleasure. Saliva ran down my chin as he pumped his hips faster.
My eyes watered, my hands digging into his thighs as he pounded into the back of my throat. The muscles in his thighs tensed, and I held his gaze as he fucked my mouth. Tears spilled down my cheeks and he pulled out of my mouth, making me gasp as I tried to suck in as much air as possible. He leaned down, licking my tears up. “Even these are mine now, kotic .”
He dragged me up, his lips crushing mine with a dominating kiss. This was what he wanted, to control me, to dominate me. And for once, I had absolutely no problem with it. I wanted him to consume me, to own me, to break me.
He picked me up, walked us over to the bed, then tossed me down. I landed with a laugh, leaning up on my elbows with my legs spread. Feigning modesty, I squeezed my thighs together, biting my bottom lip.
“I wanted to be gentle with you tonight. To make you feel cherished. Adored.” His eyes turned predatory as he climbed onto the bed and crawled toward me. “But I don’t think my good girl wants that, does she?”
I shook my head from side to side, my breath quickening.
He smirked, his hands wrapping around my ankles and dragging me down the bed closer to him. “No, she doesn’t. She wants her greedy little cunt to be filled up by her husband, doesn’t she?”
I whimpered, nodding as I let my legs fall open. God, he had a filthy mouth. And I loved it. My pussy throbbed with each word, my body heat rising.
He made a tisking noise, shaking his head. “Not yet, kotic . Let me have my taste first.” He prowled over my body, his weight settling over me. “You’re so fucking beautiful like this.” His finger traced over my bottom lip, and I parted my lips and bit him softly. “So wet and greedy for me,” he murmured.
His lips were soft, pressing kisses along my jaw, then down the curve of my neck. I rolled my hips, needing to feel him against me, but he held me firmly in place underneath him. My skin was tingling everywhere he touched, it was like my entire body was on fire. He brushed his hand over my nipple, rolling it between his finger and thumb. I cried out as a ripple of pleasure coursed through me.
“So responsive to my touch,” he murmured as he licked down between my breasts. His tongue wrapped around my nipple as he continued his torturous teasing of the other one.
“Please, Kreos,” I panted. “I need you.” My nails dug into his shoulders as my body flushed with heat.
My stomach dipped as he kissed lower, goosebumps spreading over my entire body. He chuckled darkly as he spread my thighs, biting and sucking on the flesh there. “You want me to fuck you now, kotic ? Do you need me to breed you, fill you up with my come?”
“Oh, God, yes,” I cried as he licked up my slit.
“Look at this pretty cunt, glistening with need for me,” he growled. I whimpered as he spread my pussy open, his tongue lashing out as he stroked my clit. “There will never be anyone else who tastes you but me. Nobody else will ever touch what’s mine.”
I gasped, and it turned into a moan as he devoured me. My thighs trembled as my hips bucked up involuntarily. “Please,” I begged, unsure of what for. For his mouth, for his cock, for release. Tension coiled deep in my belly, my hands sliding into his hair as I held him there. My orgasm ripped through me a second later, my back arching off the bed as I screamed out his name.
He wasted no time climbing back on top of me, pinning my wrists over my head. I begged him shamelessly for more. He watched my face carefully, a possessive look on his face, as he moved his hips forward, stretching me with his cock until he was fully seated inside of me.
He groaned, holding himself still as I adjusted to the size of him. “Your cunt is so fucking tight, kotic . You’re strangling me.” His grip on my wrists tightened as I squeezed around him.
“Please, more,” I cried, attempting to move my hips.
“As you wish,” he purred as he pulled back, then thrust deep inside of me. Both of us moaned as he teased me with deep, powerful strokes. Being with him was unlike anything I’d ever experienced, and I never wanted it to end. I wrapped my legs around his waist, trying to pull him in deeper.
He let go of my wrists so he could lean back, gripping my hips as he thrust into me. His gaze never left mine, his eyes dark as he watched every cry and moan leave my lips. My toes curled at the sensation of being filled with him. Each thrust had me begging for more.
“Is this what you needed? Your greedy, tight little cunt is weeping for me, kotic . Look at how well you’re taking my cock,” he murmured.
I leaned up on my elbows, staring down as he drove deep inside me. It was practically obscene how big he was. A soft cry escaped my lips as he pounded harder, my breasts shaking with each hard thrust. I collapsed back onto the mattress, my hands covering my face as he fucked me with a force so powerful I thought I would explode.
“Eyes on me,” he commanded, and I dropped my hands immediately. It was so easy to get lost in the darkness of his eyes. Evil had never looked so beautiful before. I was like a moth drawn to the flame, knowing full well he could destroy me. But in that moment, I didn’t care.
His hand wrapped around my throat, squeezing gently. I bit my bottom lip, whimpering at the sensation. There was no fear here. I knew he would never hurt me.
“That’s my good girl,” he whispered.
I could feel my body unraveling with each thrust. Little black dots danced in my vision, my entire body tingling as he ruthlessly pounded into me. I chanted his name over and over, unable to control myself. Pleasure ran through my entire body, my eyelids fluttering. A euphoric feeling crashed over me in waves. I gasped for air as he let go of my throat, my orgasm ripping through me a heartbeat later. He roared with his release, biting down on my shoulder as he pumped me full of his come.
We lay there, him careful not to crush me, as we both gasped for air.
“Wow.” I laughed, still trying to catch my breath.
He leaned down, brushing his lips against mine. Soft, tender.
He’d just fucked me like a wild animal.
And I had never felt so cherished.