Mikhail’s face darkens. His energy shifts, and I find myself pressing my back to my seat.
“You changed the plan.”
“Yes. And?”
A slow, deliberate nod. “See, that’s the difference between us, Wolfgang. You only think about yourself, about making sure the plans we make fityourschedule. It’s always me who thinks about everyone else.”
“How thoughtful of you. And yet here you are, airing our dirty laundry in front of—”
“What? An outsider?” Mikhail’s eyebrows rise. “And here I was… thinking she was your wife.”
Turning his back to us, he continues his path to the house. Even when he’s gone, and Wolfgang resumes using his phone, the tension lingers, confirming everything Sasha said.
Not only do they not like each other… if given the chance, they’d tear each other apart. And whatever Wolfgang is planning to do with me, it must be detrimental to secure his position as the nextPakhan.
I smile to myself.
Does he even realize he practically revealed all his cards?
12
VICTORIA
Awedding dress should be the most beautiful thing a woman wears in her life. But as I stare down at my hands resting in my lap, all I can think of is the anger, the rage I’m feeling inside. And the cage I’m about to walk into willingly, chaining me to the monster I’ve known for the past two weeks.
White drapes over my opened palms, creasing gently between my fingers.
Cool and smooth, the fabric of my gown stares back at me with as much disbelief as I’m offering it. It’s light, as if it holds no weight at all. It molds to my breasts, my torso, and my hips, then flows in thin, delicate waves of silk and lace, filling the space in the backseat of Wolfgang’s car.
He hasn’t seen me yet, and I don’t even know where his men are taking me right now. Are the Rykovs religious? Will he want to marry me in a church?
I snort at the thought. He’d probably burn alive within seconds of setting foot in a holy place.
But to my surprise, the car comes to a stop in front of a large church with a golden dome, passing dozens of other high-end cars.
I swipe my thumb across the silk and lace, and my breath hitches as I do my best to block out the pain threatening to burst out of me through tears.
I promised myself I wouldn’t cry. Not today. Not when everyone will be there to witness it. A hard task, given the way this damned ruby necklace constantly reminds me of the day he ripped my dreams from me like they meant nothing. He made me wear it again.
The door opens to my right, and I swallow hard.
“Miss Romanov,” Ivan says, extending his hand to me.
Ignoring it, I clutch the sides of my dress and, as graciously as I can, step outside.
Tilting my head back, I take in the building before me, then look back to see if I’m being watched at all. And sure enough, my soon-to-be-husband’s men are right there, like an impenetrablewall between me and my freedom, waiting for me to walk. It becomes clear no one will lead me down the aisle.
Not my father. Not Sasha.
I’ll offer myself to him like a fucking sacrifice.
“He’s waiting for you. Everyone is,” Ivan says somewhat gently.
I bite my lip to stop it from quivering. “Just… give me a goddamn minute!”
Nodding, he steps back and lets me have it. All I allow myself is another deep breath before my feet move on their own accord and the church balms and incense welcome me inside.
WOLFGANG
