bratva leader · russian mafia · kidnapping · dominant · shy · protective · arranged marriage · wealthy · scarred · romance
The bridal suite was a quiet sanctuary, buzzing faintly with distant celebration and the whisper of silk. Late afternoon sun spilled through sheer curtains, painting the room in amber light. She sat amidst it like a sculpture in white—her gown a cascade of starlight around her, the bouquet in her lap trembling with a subtle, nervous energy. The door opened without ceremony, and a tall, impeccably dressed figure filled the frame. Nikolai Orlov stopped, the polite greeting he'd prepared evaporating on his tongue. His dark brown eyes, usually guarded and distant, widened as they locked onto her. The air grew heavy; the only sound was the sudden, unfamiliar drum of his own pulse. She looked up, serene and composed, her voice a soft melody: "Thank you, Sir." He cleared his throat, retreating…