On top of it all, I could never feel anything for that fragile, perfect porcelain doll. Just the image of her has me indignant.
Marriage to her is my burden to bear as the leader of the Syndicate, and that’s all there is to it.
I just pray she doesn’t drive me crazy with her saccharinity.
Chapter 9
Katerina
Boxes litter my bedroom floor. They’re full of my possessions. Which are mostly just clothes and cat toys. I don’t have many other things.
I can’t believe I’m moving in with that man in just a couple weeks. I keep praying that I’ll wake from this nightmare, but I know it’s not the case. I’ve succumbed to my new reality.
I’ve been trying to tell myself that this is better than the alternative. But how can I be sure? Sergey is the monster I know. This man is a stranger and the head of a barbaric organization. He’s the enemy. What if he hates me simply because of my relation to Viktor?
I pull another hideous dress off its hanger and fold it. Vova starts scratching a box, so I abandon the dress and pick him up. He hisses at my hold, and Itutat him.
“Hey, buddy. We’re moving to a new house soon. You may even be allowed to roam the whole place instead of just a bedroom. We’ll have to see. But at least we’ll be away from Viktor,” I tell him soothingly.
I’m distracted playing with him, so I don’t hear him approaching until it’s too late.
My bedroom door swings open, and Vova hisses. His hair raise, and he jumps out of my arms. He’s on Viktor in seconds, scratching his legs and biting his pants.
Viktor curls his nose in disgust and kicks my cat away. Vova whines but recovers quickly and is back attacking him.
“Control your pest, or I’ll get rid of him,” he hisses.
“Yes, ????.” I rush to Vova and pick him up. He’s hissing but stops struggling when I pick him up. He’d never risk hurting me.
I stare at Viktor, waiting for him to tell me why he’s here. I haven’t seen him in a couple days. It’s been peaceful.
“I don’t want any communication between you and Dominic before the wedding.” He glares at me skeptically when he says it.
I just raise a brow. Why on earth would I want to talk to that asshole? How would I even talk to him? It’s not like I have his number.
“Okay,” I say slowly.
“You haven’t spoken to him, have you?” he interrogates me. His distrust is nothing new, but this subject is.
“Of course not. I’ve only ever seen him once, and that was in the hallway with you.” It’s obvious. I don’t know what has him paranoid.
Viktor sighs, and his shoulders drop.
“Yes, I believe you haven’t. You’re many things, but stupid isn’t one of them. He invited you to his family dinner.” He pauses to gage my reaction. When there isn’t one, he continues. “I declined, telling him until there’s a treaty signed, you aren’t leaving the premise. I won’t risk my only bargaining chip.”
Bargaining chip.
He doesn’t care about his daughter’s safety, only his leverage.
“If he wants to get to know you once you’re married, that’s fine. Let him think he has your trust. But at the end of the day, remember where your loyalties lie. This man will not be your savior; he will not be your salvation. You are a Sokolov, and he will burn you the first chance he gets. You are Bratva, and you will return home when we win this war. You will help us win it. Do you understand?”
The threat is as evident in his voice as is his distrust for me. And I realize this is the perfect segue.
“If you’re so concerned about my behavior over there, why don’t you send my guard with me. Then you’ll have an additional set of Bratva eyes and ears over there. I don’t know what you want me to look for. I don’t even know why this marriage is happening at all.” My voice comes out sarcastic, as though this stems from distrust in the spur of the moment.
The pensive look that comes over his face feels like a victory in itself. He doesn’t realize this was my plan.
I hold my breath for what seems like eternity as he mulls it over.
