My uncle’s narrowed eyes are on me as we pass. I’ve done what he wanted. How can he possibly be angry with me now?
I’ve just vowed my life to this monster that’s dragging me up the aisle to the back of the church.
“Sienna!” Kara puts her hand out as we pass them, but before I can so much as look at her, Kaz yanks me to keep up with him.
When we get to the vestibule, he drags me to a side door where two of his men are standing.
“Kaz, we need to talk?—”
“Take her to the reception.” He ignores me entirely and nudges me toward the men.
“Where are you going?” I demand when he lets me go and turns to stalk off. “Kaz.”
“I have something important to see to. You go to the reception.”
“Something important?” My jaw leaves an imprint on the marble flooring.
Our families are exiting the church and heading to their cars while Kaz leaves me standing with these two buffoons.
“I’ll get a ride with my friends,” I say.
Kaz hears me, turns on his heel and stomps back over to me.
“You will do what you’re told, wife.” He puts a little too much heat on the moniker for my liking. “They will drive you. You will go, play the dutiful wife, and I will be there later.”
“You’re really leaving me right now?” I search his eyes. Surely something of the man I met last night is still in there.
Just when they start to soften, he flicks his gaze to his men.
“She rides with you. If she gives you any trouble, feel free to use the rope in the trunk.”
The restaurant of the hotel where Kaz is staying is set up for our wedding luncheon. I’d been so preoccupied with enjoying one last night of freedom, the hotel name hadn’t registered when we pulled up.
Guests from his side and mine mingle through the room, finding their assigned seats at one of the ten round tables.
It occurs to me as I sit at the head table, alone since my ‘husband’ has yet to show up, that I don’t know the majority of these people. I’m not entirely sure who belongs to which family.
Unless of course they speak. Most of my uncle’s associates don’t speak much English and have thick accents. I recognize a cousin or two, but they don’t bother approaching me.
Growing up, it was impressed upon me at an inappropriately young age that the only purpose for a woman in our family was to cook meals and produce male offspring.
I’m not sure if it’s because I can barely boil water or because any offspring I have will now be tainted with Russian blood, that the family I do recognize looks at me with such condemnation.
“Sienna!” Kara steps onto the platform the main table has been placed on and rounds the table, pulling me into a tight hug.
“Are you all right?” Rosa comes at me from the other side, pulling me into another hug, which mashes my face into her bosom.
“You’re going to suffocate her in those things.” Kara gently pushes Rosa’s shoulder.
“Shut up, she can breathe.” Rosa pulls out the empty chair next to me and plops down. “How are you doing?”
“Oh, you know. Fine.” I force a smile as I push away the tulle of the stupid veil I’m still wearing.
“Didn’t you have a different dress for the reception?” Kara questions, tugging on the beaded half sleeve of my gown.
The only part of this farce of an event I was able to give any input on is the dress I have for the reception. My gown was chosen by one of my cousin’s wife— I think. I wasn’t actually listening when I was being fitted for this tulle and beaded balloon I’m wearing.
“I do. It’s in the little room they gave me.”
