“You’ve been by yourself all morning,” Dimitri grouses. “Now is the time?—”
“Are you coming with me into the marriage too?” she bites back. “Want to be there when we consummate?”
Dimitri’s lip curls. “That is just ridiculous.”
“I can go with you, Kat,” I say, knowing I’m liable to get my head bitten off, but I do it anyway. “If you need company.”
“I don’t—” she starts, her tone sharp, but then she stops again, settling herself. “Thanks, Sasha, but I’d rather be alone before what I’m certain is going to be a crazy day.”
I give a nod and all of us pile into the elevator, and out to the parking garage where two matching black sedans wait, one in front of the other. A third pulls in, likely for the nanny and Dimitri’s daughter, Anna.
I wish my niece was riding with us. She’s been the brightest part of the last month by far.
Dimitri climbs into the front next to the driver, and Ava and I slide into the back.
Katarina gets into the second car, her driver loading her suitcase into the trunk as we start to pull away.
Strapping on my seatbelt, I smooth out my dress.
Katarina is right about one thing…today is going to be a crazy day, and I am going to sigh with relief when it’s over.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Sasha
We makethe drive to the church in silence, each of us clearly lost in our own thoughts.
As we drive to the back of the church, I draw in a ragged breath as I begin mapping the parking lot and exits. The drive is narrow, a fence separating the property next door.
If I can get out of the chapel unseen…
Dimitri steps from the car and comes to my door to open it, but his eyes are cast across the parking lot to the church’s entrance. “Where is Katarina’s car?”
“Probably just got caught at a light,” Ava answers from her seat even as Dimitri helps me out.
He goes around the car, opening Ava’s door and collects the garment bag with the wedding dress before he takes her hand, leading her out of the car. “I’ll wait here for her to arrive, you two can go inside and get out of the heat.”
With a nod, I follow Ava to the back entrance. I lift my skirt as I take the two steps up to the door.
I’ve had to wear dresses to formal events my entire life, so I know how to move in them, but if I’m not careful, I stumble on long skirts.
Like I’ve said, I’m short, which has meant loads of gowns have been too long. And even after my father started hemming them, it’s like I got this thing in my head that I’m liable to trip.
It probably didn’t help that he’d berate me every time I did.
It’s stupid, and I know I let him get in my head, but I still prefer to wear pants.
Stepping into the church, Ava turns into a back waiting room behind the chapel to hang up the dress, while I keep going, following the rumble of male voices.
I tell myself I’m scoping escape routes, but I must confess, I’m also just curious.
Just as I’m about enter the chapel, I spot a group of seven men standing in a half circle near the pulpit. I stop in the shadow of the hall and take them in.
Tall. Strong. They stand straight, shoulders broad, feet wide.
I can’t deny that are the sort of masculine that might make a woman’s heart flutter.
Most of them I recognize. I’ve met all of Ryker’s brothers at one point or another over the last month. Killian stands on the end, his tattooed hands-on full display as he scans the room, his eyes hawkishly watchful.
