Chapter 23 - Adley

"Absolutely not. Do you see how many ruffles that has? No."

I shook my head, almost laughing, as Ivan shoved the monstrosity that was that dress back into place on the rack. He had no idea what he was doing when it came to wedding gowns, and I didn't blame him. But ruffles? Bell sleeves? I mean, come on. Who does he think I am? I am not a girly girl. No way.

"And no veils. We're not exactly your traditional couple. I don't think a veil is necessary."

He shrugged, stepping away from the massive collection of white dress after white dress. I was being annoying right now; I knew it. But apparently, I was getting married today—while pregnant, no less—and I was feeling a bit grumpy about the pace.

Talk about a short engagement, right?

And yes, it was most definitely the hormones and the nervousness. Hell, as much as I didn't want to think about it right now, it was also the fact that I was kind of…excited. I wasn't that girl who fantasized about getting married, but it had crossed my mind. I wanted a partner to spend my life with as much as most people did.

And now it was sort of happening. It is in a bizarre fashion, but it is happening nonetheless.

"All right, sweetheart. I tried. I'm going over here now."

Ivan plopped down on one of the overlarge plush chairs, and I sighed. Whoops .

"I'm sorry. It's just…it's a wedding dress, Ivan. It needs to fit who I am."

"I get it. I do." He cocked his head, squinting. "Well, as much as I can anyway. Just hurry up if you can. I'd rather not spend the day in this damn shop. There's a much more appealing place back home."

I rolled my eyes at him, walking back over to the rack of dressed. I'd refused help from the sales attendant since I wasn't here to be told what I "should" wear, and Ivan had already made it clear that it didn't matter what the dress cost, so I was firmly on my own.

Which would be fine except for the fact that I didn't know what I wanted.

Maybe you should get some help.

I didn't move away from the rack, though. I just kept working my way through the array of dresses, trying to find the one that just spoke to me. The one that lept out and said, "I'm the one."

So dumb. At this rate, I'm just going to grab the first one without a million frills and call it a day.

"Excuse me, miss? I know you've been struggling a bit, but perhaps you'll let me show you one."

Turning around, I found the attendant holding a dress draped over her arms. I could see a bit of lace at the top of the gown, but before I could protest, she held up her hand and smiled at me.

"I know you don't like frills. I assure you, this gown isn't over the top. It has just enough. But you need to see it on to understand."

With a sigh, I gave in. I needed something to wear, and Ivan was getting impatient—as was I.

"I'm going to go try this on, okay? I'll be right back."

He raised his brows at me and nodded, perfectly content to sit and wait on the likely thousand-dollar couch.

The saleswoman walked me to a private dressing room, and with a bit of her assistance, I got changed into the dress. I was nervous, clearly, but when I turned around to look at myself in the mirror, my jaw dropped.

"This one."

***

The chamber where we met the judge was larger than I expected and completely cleared out of anyone but exactly who Ivan wanted there. Part of me mourned the fact that my parents and siblings weren't around. Still, once this entire situation with Ivan had been going on for a while, we'd hold a proper ceremony with my family.

If we last that long.

My throat tightened at the thought. As much as I still wanted to fight it, I did feel connected to Ivan, drawn to him stronger than a moth to the flame. And I was having his child. Our child.

I hadn't wanted to take it back once. It had only been two days, sure, but my initial thought when I'd taken that test was not, "Oh no." I'd felt…excited. Overwhelmed, of course, but so very eager to meet whoever this little person was.

Just outside the door at the back of the room, I waited for my cue. I peeked through the crack in the door and could see Ivan's brothers, all decked out in suits, standing to the left of the podium.

The room was one of the tiny courtrooms that was right next to the judge's office, but somehow, they'd managed to create a little "aisle" for me to walk down when everyone was ready. The officiant looked happy enough to be performing the impromptu wedding when we'd arrived, and I wondered if he was on the books, so to speak.

"Ms. MacCormack," I heard him call out, "please come in."

Not MacCormack for long, though, huh?

Pushing forward through the door, I stepped into the makeshift "chapel." Abe and Vlad smiled as I walked down toward them, and the black of their suits stood out in stark contrast to the golden brown wood of the walls.

My heart hammered so hard against my ribs, and the familiar nausea was beginning to peak. I wasn't going to let myself be sick, though. Not now. After eons, I finally found the courage to look over just a hair to where Ivan was standing.

"Holy…"

I gasped just slightly, and Ivan mirrored my surprise. Neither of us had let the other see our final outfits, and to say that Ivan cleaned up damn good was an understatement. His black suit was crisp and structured over a soft white shirt. He wore a long black tie, and he's apparently freshly trimmed his hair and stubble.

He looked…beautiful. Terrifying as always, but also so very handsome, and my entire body warmed.

The rasp of fabric on my chest drew my attention to my gown, and I admired the obvious desire in Ivan's expression. The saleswoman had been right to pick this one, and I could tell how much he liked it.

The long skirt hung in sleek lines down to the floor, a short train of the satin fabric flowing behind me. Ivan's eyes traveled up the slit that opened gently around my left leg with each step and widened as he reached the apex, where it sat right at the front of my hip.

Being careful about my strides was crucial because I'd apparently found my wild streak and decided to go without panties.

Ivan's gaze didn't stop there, though. His eyes ran up my body, taking in the cinched waist where the satin abruptly changed to white lace, several sheer sections creating a tantalizing view of my flesh beneath.

It was only thanks to the strategic placement that my nipples weren't on full display. Though as it was, they were hard as a rock and straining against the fabric because I was both quite cold and desperately aroused.

The lace traveled down one arm to the wrist in a long sleeve while scooping over my chest and leaving the other arm wholly uncovered. The pattern in the lace was especially subtle, and I'd pulled my hair back into a high twist. Both things combined to make me feel particularly exposed despite how much clothing I was actually wearing.

It's probably the no bra or panties, Adley.

When I finally reached the short walk to the front of the room, I stood next to Ivan, turning to face him as the judge cleared his throat. Ivan took my hand as the man began his little speech, and I could do nothing but stare into those gorgeous gray-blue eyes.

"All right," Judge Henderson said, "you have both come here today to be joined in lawful matrimony. You have gathered your witnesses to this undertaking and are both of sound mind and judgment. Correct?"

Ivan nodded. "Yes."

"Yes," I replied.

"Very well, that it is within my power to join you two in the state of Illinois as man and wife. Do you wish to say anything?"

He looked to Ivan first, and I was sure the judge would be met with a solid headshake. But Ivan surprised me, sucking in a breath through the nose and then turning to me.

"Adley," Ivan steadied himself before continuing, "it is my honor to become your husband. I promise you that for as long as there is air in my lungs, I'll do whatever it takes to protect you and any children that may come in the future. Everything that you are and will become is mine—to safeguard, to keep, to fulfill."

My jaw fell open again, and a burn set up shop behind my eyes that I didn't want to acknowledge for fear of crying and ruining the makeup I'd worked so hard at. I hadn't prepared to say anything, but there was no way I was leaving Ivan with nothing after all that.

I smiled as he met my eyes, clearing my throat and squeezing his hand.

"Ivan, it is my honor to become your wife today. You have given me and my family so much, and I will never be able to repay that generosity. I…I have felt at home living with you, and a future that I never dreamed was possible might actually be a reality because…"

My throat closed briefly, and I had to suck in a fresh breath to fight back the need to sob.

"Because you noticed me across the bar. I take everything you are and might become as I take your hand."

Ivan wouldn't cry. He wasn't the type. But the fact that I could see the glimmer of his eyes shine all the brighter in the gentle light of the room spoke volumes.

"Very well," the judge cut in. "Mr. Ivan Ustinov, do you take Ms. Adley MacCormack to be your lawfully wedded wife."

He wasted no time in replying, "I do."

"Ms. Adley MacCormack, do you take Mr. Ivan Ustinov to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

I nodded, shaking my head to shoo away the damn tears that hormones were determined for me to shed.

"I do."

Judge Henderson nodded with a polite smile. "Then it is with the power vested in me by the state of Illinois to pronounce you husband and wife. You may—"

Ivan's arms snatched me around the waist, pulling me forward as he crashed his lips into mine. I yelped slightly but quickly melted into the feeling of the deep kiss. Regardless of anything else, I knew without a doubt how perfect Ivan felt against me.

"How sweet."

Ivan yanked back, squeezing me tight as we both looked over at the unknown voice. But as soon as I realized where I'd heard that man before, my stomach dropped. Oh shit.

"Donovan," Ivan gritted out, and he maneuvered me behind him.

Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Abe and Vlad start to shift their positions closer to Ivan, and the judge was doing his best to slink backward.

"Hello there, Mr. Ustinov." Donovan cocked his head, smirking maliciously at us. "You caused quite the commotion at the fight, didn't you? And what do you know, that bullshit you pulled went straight to the top. Cost me millions. Millions ."

Three men flanked Donovan on either side, and I looked past them to see that the door was now shut at the back of the room. I could guess that they'd locked it. We were trapped in here with them, and Ivan really needed to call for backup ASAP.

"This was a stupid fucking move, Donovan. You really think you and these fucking pissants are going to do anything to the Unholy Trinity?"

Donovan's eyes were cold, but a potent fire of rage burned in the core, making him grip his hands into fists as he stood just a few feet away from us. His men had their hands inside their jackets. It had to be a move for their guns.

A mirthless chuckle let him, and Donovan scrubbed his hand over his face. "I'm going to fucking try. And I'll be more than satisfied if all I'm able to do is take out that little bitch of yours."

My hand flew to my stomach on instinct. No one knew I was pregnant except Ivan. He hadn't even told his brothers yet. So there was no way Donovan knew, which made it all the worse, actually.

Not that I believed for a second Donovan would change his mind if he knew.

"Last chance, Donovan. Get the fuck out or pay the price."

The judge had all but disappeared at this point, using a door off in the corner to return to his private chambers. Donovan threw his head back in another crazed laugh, and I felt Ivan shove into me with the flat of his hand. He wanted me to run, to get out of the line of fire, and I knew I needed to.

But I was frozen.

Ivan was in serious, very real danger of getting shot, and I couldn't bring myself to leave him. I also didn't want anything happening to the pregnancy, which of course, made the situation real damn complicated. Fuck!

"Nah," Donovan drawled, sending shivers down my spine because of his nonchalance. "I think I'll stay. After all…"

He let the words hang as his men circled around him, moving closer to us as they pressed down the sides of the room.

"You owe me. I'll either take that payment in cash…" Donovan raised his hand in the air, holding up two fingers, "or blood."

With that, Tommy Donovan, Irish mob boss and rival of the Vadims, pointed his fingers right at me—like a gun.

The room erupted into chaos as guns were drawn and bullets zinged through the air. Ivan spun around, pulling me into his chest as he dove with me behind the nearest row of pew seating. The leap sent us crashing onto the cheaply carpeted floor, and I landed on my shoulder with a hard thump.

Pain ricocheted through my arm, and I pulled myself behind the wooden bench for cover from the bullets. It wasn't going to do much good for long, however. Donovan and his men could just walk over here and shoot down at us.

"Stay down. Let me handle this."

Ivan's words were short jabs of fury through the air, and right now, I wasn't about to argue with him. I may have been a self-sufficient woman, but even I knew when I was in over my head. So I just nodded.

"Good."

Ivan reached into the back of his pants. He had a gun stashed in his waistband and pulled it out, checking the clip.

"Ahh!"

The scream stole both our attention, making us look up and over at where Vlad stood. He held one of Donovan's goons by the arm, which was twisted so far behind the man that I couldn't believe it wasn't broken.

Snap .

Oh, well, never mind then. It's broken now.

My stomach lurched, nausea forcing me to blink rapidly and take shallow breaths through my nose.

As the man fell to the ground, Vlad held onto the goon's hand, putting his foot on the man's shoulder and pressing down. The guy cried out again, but Vlad leveled his gun at the back of the man's head, and with a quick squeeze of the trigger, the attacker was dead.

I'd never seen someone be killed before, and I reeled backward, trying to make myself as small as possible against the wooden pew. Weirdly, I wasn't appalled by Vlad's actions. I knew he was defending not only himself but me from these men, and I was actually…grateful.

Then, at my side, Ivan shot up, taking in the scene around him before drawing his weapon and firing off two rounds into the nearest thug. I couldn't see what happened, but the solid boom of something heavy landing on the floor told me enough that Ivan had at least dropped the guy.

"Goddamn you, Ustinov! You and your fucking brothers will pay! You hear me!"

I looked up at Ivan, who knelt with his arms outstretched over the top of the pew, smirking.

"You know, I missed that. Probably all the gunfire. Maybe if you wanted to stop—"

More firing kicked up in response, and Ivan quickly ducked down before pulling back up to return his fire himself.

"Did you fucking see that, Abe? Didn't even let me finish."

I could hear Abe call out from the other side of the room, the crack of gunfire coming from that direction.

"So rude. Just interrupting you like that? Ugh. I wouldn't stand for it, Ivan."

As shots rang out over my head, Ivan smirked, but I could see the way he clenched his jaw. He was clearly pissed, but worse, I could sense the fear coming off him. I didn't want to think about that or the way that my stomach fluttered with terror all its own.

He can't die. He can't. I won't lose him.

"You know, I don't think I will."

Several decisive shots went off, one after the other. I heard the corresponding thud of bodies hitting the floor, and then Ivan stood up.

"That's the last of your men, Donovan. Now come out and face your punishment like a good boy."

Nothing. Not a single sound played out as I waited for Donovan's response. Looking up at Ivan and meeting his eyes, he pointed down at the floor, signaling for me to stay put. I wasn't about to move until I knew it was safe. Then Ivan looked across the aisle at Vlad and Abe, silently asking what they could see.

I leaned forward to see Ivan's brothers better, and they both shrugged. Ivan gestured for them to move out from their positions, probably to find Donovan. Abe and Vlad moved silently as they crept through the tiny pews, searching.

Maybe Donovan is dead.

Quickly dismissing the thought, I crawled out—just a hair—on my hands and knees. I didn't think we were lucky enough for Donovan to be out of the picture just like that.

"Fucking bitch."

Whipping my head around, I came face-to-face with Donovan as he slid out from his hiding spot in the pew behind me. The barrel of a gun stole all my attention as he raised it toward me, and dimly in the background, I heard Ivan holler my name.

But the loud crack of the gun going off was already sounding in front of me, and then there was just black.