He answers on the second ring. "Petrov. It's been a while—"
"I need you at my estate in three hours," I cut in. "Wedding ceremony."
A pause. Long enough that I can hear him processing. "Today?"
"Yes."
"Gennady, that's highly irregular. The paperwork alone requires—"
"Will be handled by your office tomorrow. Today, you show up, you perform the ceremony, you sign the license." I keep my voice even, reasonable. "You owe me, Albert. Or do I need to remind you about the prosecutor who wanted to audit your campaign contributions last year?"
I can practically hear him sweating in the silence that follows.
"Three hours," he finally says with resignation.
I end the call.
Stefan appears in my doorway, eyebrows raised. He doesn't knock anymore. Hasn't for years. "Did I just hear you say wedding?"
"You did."
"Today?" he clarifies.
"This afternoon." I'm already scrolling through my contacts. "I need the orangery set up. Chairs, flowers, nothing too formal but make it look intentional. Get Marie on a dress and shoes for Matilda immediately."
Stefan steps fully into the room, closing the door behind him. "Boss. Are you sure about this?"
I look up at him. "Yes."
"You've known her less than twenty-four hours."
"Irrelevant." I set my phone down.
His mouth twitches at the corners, almost a smile.
I pick up my phone again. "Rings. Platinum, simple, nothing gaudy. There's a jeweler who keeps his shop open for me. Get them here within two hours."
"Sizes?"
I close my eyes, picturing her hand in mine. Small. Delicate. I estimate and give him the numbers. "If they don't fit perfectly, he can resize them tomorrow. But they need to be here today."
"Consider it done." He moves toward the door, then pauses. "The men should witness this. Your captains, at minimum. It sends the right message."
He's right. A private ceremony would look like shame, like I'm hiding something. This needs to be public enough that everyone understands exactly what Matilda is to me now.
"Make the calls," I say as he leaves, then add, "Tell them it's mandatory."
Next call is to the florist Marie uses. She answers on the third ring, bright and professional.
"Bright and Blooming, how may I—"
"Anya. It's Gennady Petrov. I need the orangery at my estate decorated for a wedding. Today. Three hours from now."
Dead silence. Then, "Mr. Petrov, that's... I would need at least a week to properly sou—"
"I'll pay triple your usual rate. Quadruple if you have it done in two and a half hours."
"Sir, I appreciate the offer, but I have other commitments today—"
