“I’m sure my brother was unreasonable,” Darya offers kindly. “He’s terrible with words. But you should know that his actions speak volumes.”
The words hit me like a punch to the gut, and I don't have a response. They must see the confusion on my face.
“Listen.” Darya stands in front of me, taking my hands in hers. “You don't have to figure everything out today. But maybedon't close doors on him before you've properly spoken to him, you know?”
I nod, not trusting my voice.
“Now.” She stands, clapping her hands together, “Why don't you come to my place after this? We can all get ready together and do our hair and makeup. It'll be fun, and you won't have to sit alone in that big house thinking about my brother.”
The offer is so tempting that I almost say yes immediately, but manners make me hesitate. “I don't want to impose...”
“Impose?” Nadya laughs. “We're sisters now, remember? Family doesn't impose.”
My own family’s so far away, and I've been alone for so long that I've forgotten what it feels like to belong somewhere. Just the fact that they’re being so warm, so kind, so open, makes me want to lean into the support they’re offering me.
“Okay.” I break out into a smile. “Let's do it.”
***
The Meridian Hotel's grand ballroom is a sight to behold. This might just be the most beautiful party I’ve ever attended. Forget how well-dressed the crowd is, or how expensive the diamonds on the Bratva wives are. I’m blown away by the chandeliers, the live orchestra, the hundreds of thousands of flowers, and the dozens of ice sculptures.
Even the air in here smells like a million bucks.
Nadya hands me a glass of champagne.
“It’s quite something, isn’t it?” she asks.
“It’s beautiful!”
I turn to the sisters and am once again struck by how stunning they both look. Darya’s in classic black and Nadya’s in a bold red.
And I feel more than a fair share of eyes on us three, on the emerald silk hugging my curves.
“Remember,” Nadya whispers, “be careful who you speak to, and what you say. This is neutral territory, but you’re a Yuri wife now, and the vultures will come circling.”
“Uh-huh.” I listen carefully, my eyes sweeping over the room. The entire Yuri clan is here, but I don’t see Valentin.
My heart sinks, and I try not to let my disappointment show. Of course, he made me come, but decided the rules don’t apply to him. He's probably avoiding me, just like he's been doing for days.
“Is he... is Valentin coming?” I finally ask Darya, desperate to know what his deal is.
She gives me a knowing look. “Oh, he's already here. Look toward the far wall, by the painting of the old man on a horse.”
I follow her gaze, and my breath catches.
He’s standing there, deep in conversation with an elderly gentleman. Even though there’s nothing spectacular about the scene in itself, I find myself transfixed by how handsome Valentin looks. From across the room, I can see the slight silver in his black hair, bouncing off the light. A curve of a strand falls over his forehead, toward the left, and that suit…god, that suit.
It looks like it was stitched on him, not for him.
Just then, he loses focus on the conversation, and his eyes reach right for where we stand. Like he knew we’ve been standing here.
And then they land straight on me.
Everything freezes. The noise of the party fades away, the crowd between us seems to part, and it's just Valentin and me, staring at each other across the room.
His gaze travels slowly down my body, lingering on the places where the emerald silk clings tightest, and then back up to meet my eyes. There's heat in that look. A longing of some sort.
My mouth goes dry. My brain screams at me to turn my attention back to Nadya and Darya, but I can’t seem to break off his gaze.
